camping hiking, carp fishing Camping and outdoor adventure is all about getting away. Some of the best days I have had out on the trail are when something unexpected like a glacier lake, cliff face or unoccupied stream comes into view. There is something about finding a piece of natural beauty, unbothered by other people to just sit down and take it in. I have kicked myself on certain trails where the end treasure is a lake only accessible after a hike. These are the places to drop in the line and kick back for some bass, trout or carp fishing. I have never brought a fishing pole along with the camping hiking gear for day trips but really think it will be a good idea next time. Fishing is the perfect way to wind down the gears, catch the breath and regain some energy before the hike back down.

On one occasion on a trail in Washington, the miles of elevating switch backs on a popular camping hiking trail led up to a glacier lake where people stopped to take pictures, eat lunch and swim. It was a heavy traveled trail with a bunch of people on the way up to the same beautiful finish line but it wasn’t somewhere people could just drive up to which kept the whole experience very peaceful, clean and rejuvenating. There is nothing worse then seeing trash on the ground at the top of a camping hiking trail. Really ruins the draw of the wild.