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Wilderness Walking: Resources

Helpful books, websites, and organizations for the novice hiker.

By Ellen Kirschman

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Websites

• Elderhiker.com: Go here for a list of inn-to-inn trips in California, Colorado, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, the Appalachian Trail, and Europe.

• Yosemite High Sierra Camps: Available by lottery.

• Bearpaw High Sierra Camp: 11.5 mile walk-in

• John Muir Ranch: 5 mile walk-in

Books

• The Elderhiker Handbook: On Walking, Hiking and Trekking, and the Health and Fitness to Do Them by Ed Bodington (First Books Library, 2000). Contains advice on what to take, how to prepare, and where to go for trekking and inn to inn trips.

• The Complete Walker IV by Colin Fletcher and Chip Rawlins (Alfred Knopf, 2002). The classic, everything-you-want-to-know guide for walking and backpacking.

Adventure Travel Agencies
These organizations offer national and international trekking and inn to inn walking trips with varied levels of difficulty and comfort.

• Adventure Center

• Backroads

• Elder Treks

• Mountain Travel Sobek

Horse Packers
Search the Internet using the terms "pack station" and/or "spot trip", then search within results for the region you want. The packer will help you pick a specific camp site.

• Gordon's national guide to horse pack trips and trail rides:

• California

• Idaho

• Wyoming

– Ellen Kirschman started backpacking in her 50's. She's a public safety psychologist and the author of two books: I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know (revised 2007) and I Love a Fire Fighter: What the Family Needs to Know (2004). Visit Ellen's web site: ellenkirschman.com.

 

Learn More About Wilderness Walking

» Safety Tips: Follow these precautions whenever you hit the trail.

» Getting Started: If you're adventurous and in reasonable health, you're never too old to go wilderness walking. Our writer shows you the ropes.

 

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