北米の山小屋＆キャビン・トップ20

The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House is a classic Banff hiking destination and one of the few backcountry tea houses still operating in the Rockies. The teahouse is a rustic log cabin built in 1927, where hikers can enjoy tea, homemade lunches, and baked goods surrounded by towering icefalls and creaking glaciers. The tea house accepts cash only (Canadian Dollars) and can get busy in summer, so arrive early, pack layers for alpine weather, and savor one of the most scenic cups of tea in the world.

Delicious tea, sandwiches, and soup. A wonderful place to recover from the climb.

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park preserves a stunning collection of fossilized trees, some over 135 million years old, scattered across a high desert mesa. Here, you'll see colorful logs turned to stone and panoramic views of Wide Hollow Reservoir. There are places to camp, canoe, hike, or ride through this beautiful area, making it a great place to spend a weekend just outside of Escalante.

For hikes to Chirripó or in the surrounding area, it is a good idea to spend at least one night in camp. From San Gerardo de Rivas, the climb to the camp takes 6 to 8 hours, and to the summit another 2.5 hours if you are in good shape. The supplies at the camp are very good; you get wholesome meals and there is a kiosk. You can borrow blankets, towels, etc., thus saving on backpack weight. Luggage transport is also offered, but in my opinion it is not necessary. For the descent, if you are in good shape, you should plan on 1-1.5 hours from the summit and 5-6 hours back to the valley. It is quite a knee-breaker on the way back, but it is worth it. There are hardly any people in the park and the nature is simply unbelievably beautiful. We were there in April and had two days with good weather until late afternoon, after which the clouds move up the mountain. You can park in San Gerardo de Rivas in several private parking lots for little money.

Phantom Ranch is the only accommodation in the Grand Canyon and is usually booked out for years. In the evening you can choose between a hiker stew or steak with beans and potatoes. These two dinners are also booked months in advance. But in the Ranch shop you can buy various snacks and drinks. You should definitely send a postcard from the Phantom Ranch, because it gets the stamp "Mailed by mule". The mail is still transported from the Grand Canyon by mule like back in the days.

This is a great rest stop or turnaround point on your run. Expect vault toilets and shade, and during the summer there's usually potable water here, too. Always check current conditions before you set out, though, because sometimes the water is turned off for maintenance projects. It's usually turned off during the winter, too.

A great spot to stop for some tea!

Fortunately there is water here