Sierra Blogging Post Archives

2009 is the year of the "staycation." Many people are foregoing international travel this year and opting to take vacations in our own big and beautiful backyard.

If you're the type that likes to pack your vacation time full of adventure, don't despair. There are plenty of thrills for you right here at home.

National Geographic Adventure blog, the experts in all things adventure, just posted a list of their Top 10 American Adventures. These ten vacation adventures will have you wondering why you ever left the states to begin with.

Top 10 American Adventures


10. Shipwreck diving in Lake Superior, Minnesota: Shipwrecks that rival anything you'll find in the ocean can be found in the waters off Grand Portage, Minnesota, near Isle Royale National Park. The freshwater keeps them incredibly preserved, too.

9. Hiking the Sierra High Route, California: The 195-mile stretch between King's Canyon and Yosemite National Park is not for the faint of heart. This trail, through the country's most rugged terrain, is challenging to say the least.

8. Surfing 'The Lost Coast,' Humboldt County, California: If you're looking for epic surfing, look no further than Humboldt County, where 80 miles of serious surf combines with coastal redwoods and gorgeous cliff walls.

7. The Tour de Heartland - Biking RAGBRAI, Iowa: Every summer, 10,000 fun-loving bikers ride across Iowa in 'Register's Annual Bike Ride Across Iowa.' This year, the Barenaked Ladies are kicking the race off with a concert in Council Bluffs.

6. Watching the Caribou Migration, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Hike to the Kongakut River in ANWR to watch one of the world's largest migrations. You'll see lots of other large wildlife, too.

5. Canoeing the Adirondacks, New York: One of the most serene parks in the country, Adirondacks Park is perfect for paddling. Drop in at Little Tupper Lake and paddle the million-acre circuit of pristine lakes and streams.

4. Climbing Mount Rainier, Washington: Mt. Rainier may only be the 22nd highest peak in the country, but its technical climbing difficulty makes it one of the premier mountains for daring climbers.

3. Rowing through the Grand Canyon, Arizona: Row a dory (a traditional rowboat with a narrow prow) through the rapids of the Colorado River for ultimate thrills you won't find on a raft.

2. Kayaking Lake Yellowstone, Wyoming: Paddling the Thorofare region of Yellowstone (where Yellowstone River meets Lake Yellowstone) will allow you to see the park in a whole new way. Laden with wildlife but lacking in crowds, Lake Yellowstone is teeming with bison, grizzlies, wolves, eagles and more.

1. Biking the Continental Divide Trail: If you're looking for a challenging and epic cycling trip, pedal the Continental Divide Trail from northern Montana to southern New Mexico. 2,490 miles of trail take you up a total of 200,000 feet in elevation through desert, prairie and mountains.

Know of another great American adventure that didn't make the list? Tell us about it below!

And don't forget to visit Sierra Trading Post to stock up on the best outdoor gear at 35 - 70% off!