23. Anderson Pass, Denali National Park, Alaska (31.8 miles)
Get ItThis weeklong, off-trail, experts-only classic leads straight into the middle of grizzly country and entails numerous, harrowing river crossings. “It’s certainly one of the more out-there backcountry hikes,” says John Waterman. “There’s no trail, for the most part you’re walking on tundra, and you’re totally isolated. ” Besides route-finding ability, knowledge of bear behavior is a must. “You’d better be on your game,” says Waterman. Although no hiker has ever been killed by a grizzly in Denali, encounters are common. The trail deposits you at the headwaters of the West Fork of Glacier Creek, where grizzlies frequently take their morning constitutionals.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
Back to top
