This year, Live and Let Hike celebrated its 10-year anniversary of bringing you thorough trail descriptions and extensive photo collections of day hikes and backpacking routes across the United States and beyond. The web design may not be world class—and no one would mistake my prose for a thrilling page-turner—but I hope that the content has been useful. Some corporate gurus appeared to think so, as I scored a neat sponsorship with adidas this year, and, in September, I surpassed a new milestone: one million visitors all-time.

The year itself was also a wild one, with much of my time spent out of the country for PhD research. But in between work trips, I was able to squeeze in hikes in a few short spurts. Though marred in part by wicked wind and unexpected snowstorms, a February trip to southern Nevada offered opportunities for exploring narrow slots, hidden hot springs, and wild Martian landscapes in the Mojave Desert around Las Vegas. I also snuck away from a work visit in June in upstate New York to check out a series of stunning waterfalls and narrow gorges in the Ithaca area. The priority for the summer was to hike in California’s Sierra Nevada, where I took four trips in two months, including a terrific 3-day backpack in August. A research conference in September brought me to Los Angeles, where I did a few day hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains, the last true hiking trip before three months of international travel in the fall.

As for this year’s stats, the five most visited posts on the site in 2023 were, as usual, from years past: (1) Point Lobos Loop (Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, CA); (2) The New Wave Loop (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, AZ); (3) Lost Lake Trail (San Isabel National Forest, CO); (4) Cavern Point – Potato Harbor Loop (Channel Islands National Park, CA); and (5) Natural Bridges (Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, OR). This year’s new posts with the most eyeballs, however, were: (1) Cataract Falls (Marin Municipal Water District, CA); (2) Fire Wave Trail – Seven Wonders Loop (Valley of Fire State Park, NV); (3) Phantom Falls Loop (North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, CA); (4) Five Lakes Trail (Granite Chief Wilderness, CA); and (5) Goldstrike Canyon Trail (Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV).

In keeping with tradition from recent past years, see below for a list of my favorite hikes of the year:

10. Round Top – Winnemucca Lake Loop (Mokelumne Wilderness, CA)

Situated just west of Carson Pass, this terrific half-day loop in the central Sierra Nevada visits two alpine lakes with scenic backdrops. The residual snow from a record winter made this July hike even more spectacular, with the streams flowing strong and the slopes awash with seasonal wildflowers. The roughly 5-mile circuit is a moderately strenuous hike, one of the best in the area between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite.

See my post on August 27, 2023 for a full trail description.

9. Gorge – Rim Trail Loop (Buttermilk Falls State Park, NY)

One of the many hikes from my upstate New York trip in June, this 1.6-mile loop traverses a short but exceptionally beautiful gorge in the Ithaca area. The multi-tiered Buttermilk Falls comes right at the beginning and is arguably not even the prettiest part of the hike, with the highlight being the beautiful cascades and turquoise punchbowls that follow as hikers ascend to the top of the Gorge Trail. The Rim Trail is less exciting but offers access back to the start.

See my post on July 15, 2023 for a full trail description.

8. Phantom Falls Loop (North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, CA)

In summer, the basalt flattops of North Table Mountain in north-central California are hot, dry, and dusty. But after winter and spring rains, they come alive with verdant color and dozens of impressive waterfalls, including Phantom Falls (164’). A lengthy, 7-mile day hike traverses some of the most interesting terrain, which also features far-reaching views across the Central Valley.

See my post on March 11, 2023 for a full trail description.

7. Methuselah Trail (Inyo National Forest, CA)

The world’s oldest living trees—Great Basin bristlecone pines—thrive in bunches on the windswept slopes of Eastern California’s White Mountains, one range east of the Sierra Nevada, and can be seen on this 4-mile loop in Inyo National Forest. The remote hike, traversing heights of more than 10,000 feet, also features sweeping views of the Inyo Mountains and Basin and Range to the east.

See my post on October 11, 2023 for a full trail description.

6. Gaylor Lakes, Great Sierra Mine, & Granite Lakes (Yosemite National Park, CA)

No year would be complete with a trip through Yosemite National Park, and this high-elevation excursion was a true delight. An established trail to Gaylor Lakes soon leads into a rougher route to the remains of a short-lived 18^th century mine and the off-trail Granite Lakes, set in a stunning granite bowl below the Sierra Divide. The roughly three-hour journey was one of the most enjoyable Yosemite day hikes I have completed to date.

See my post on August 27, 2023 for a full trail description.

5. Gorge – Rim Trail Loop (Robert H. Treman State Park, NY)

A longer version of the aforementioned Buttermilk Falls hike, this 4.4-mile circuit in nearby Robert H. Treman State Park features stunning Lucifer Falls (115’) and Enfield Falls (30’) and an iconic narrow gorge section. Expect to spend a half day strolling through and around Enfield Gorge, a favorite for locals in the Ithaca, New York area.

See my post on July 11, 2023 for a full trail description.

4. Lamarck Lakes & Grass Lake Loop (John Muir Wilderness, CA)

My early August trip to the Eastern Sierras was chock-full of award-worthy hikes, including the strenuous but spectacular climb to Lower and Upper Lamarck Lakes in the Bishop Creek area. The challenging ascent mounts a high shelf overlooking a scenic valley and runs to the shores of the two alpine lakes, while an alternative downhill option skirts Grass Lake and follows a lovely stream back to the start. Expect this 6-mile hike to take a half to full day, leaving hikers with weary knees after the tough climb and descent.

See my post on September 14, 2023 for a full trail description.

3. Fire Wave Trail – Seven Wonders Loop (Valley of Fire State Park, NV)

In perhaps any other year, this action-packed hike through the multi-hued wonderland of Valley of Fire State Park would be the year’s best. But being relegated to number three does not take away from the extraordinary diversity of the hike, which features, among others, creamsicle-colored buttes and narrow slots. Easily a rival to the parks of southern Utah, Nevada’s Valley of Fire is a special place, and much can be seen even on a short, 2-mile hike such as this.

See my post on April 29, 2023 for a full trail description.

2. Big Pine Lakes (John Muir Wilderness, CA)

Many visit the Eastern Sierras’ Big Pine Lakes on an overnight backpacking trip, but it is also possible to see them on a lengthy 14-mile day hike, which I completed in early August. After a four-mile ascent, several turquoise-hued lakes are unveiled in quick succession, each set below towering monoliths and scree slopes. Second Lake, in particular, is a favorite for Instagrammers, while nearby Fourth and Fifth Lakes allow for more solitary and serene experiences. This is an all-day hike or, for those lucky enough to secure a quota permit, a multi-day adventure.

See my post on September 18, 2023 for a full trail description.

1. Thousand Island Lake Loop via High Trail & Shadow Creek Trail (Ansel Adams Wilderness, CA)

My number one hike for 2023 was also my only backpacking trip of the year: a three-day journey in the eastern Sierras northeast of Mammoth Lakes. The 18-mile trek treaded some familiar terrain from my 2021 John Muir Trail through-hike but added the terrific High Trail, which included spectacular panoramic views of the Ritter Range. The descent from Shadow Lake to the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River was also a highlight, in addition to the namesake Thousand Island Lake and Garnet Lake, both set below mighty Banner Peak.

See my post on December 2, 2023 for a full trail description.

Honorable Mention:

• Anniversary Narrows (Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV)
• Cataract Falls Trail (Marin Municipal Water District, CA)
• Five Lakes Trail (Granite Chief Wilderness, CA)
• Goldstrike Canyon Trail (Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV)
• Horsetail Falls (Desolation Wilderness, CA)
• May Lake (Yosemite National Park, CA)
• North Rim – South Rim Trail Loop (Taughannock Falls State Park, NY)
• Sandstone Peak – Mishe Mokwa Trail Loop (Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, CA)
• Saratoga Gap – Ridge Trail Loop (Castle Rock State Park, CA)
• White Domes Trail (Valley of Fire State Park, NV)