Summer is rapidly approaching and it’s time to hit the trails. Nothing is better on a hot summer day than a hike that ends with views of a stunning waterfall. Bonus points if it’s got a swimming hole to cool off in at the end. With so many options out there, we thought we’d save you a little work. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best waterfall hikes the states have to offer. We hope you’re able to hit them all.
1. Havasu Falls
Grand Canyon, Arizona
One of the most stunning and highly sought after waterfalls in the world, Havasu Falls requires some planning and legwork to get to. Situated on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, you must obtain a permit months in advance, as well as a reservation to stay at the campground or the Lodge in order to visit the falls. From the trailhead at Hualapai Hilltop, it’s approximately 10 miles to the falls with roughly 1,800 feet of elevation change in the first two miles. But once you arrive at the blue-green falls set against a red rock backdrop, it will be well worth the effort.
*Note: Currently Havasu Falls is closed until February 2022 due to COVID-19, but check the site in case that changes
2. Vernal Fall
Yosemite National Park, California
No waterfall list is complete without one of Yosemite’s iconic falls. Located in eastern Yosemite Valley, the hike to Vernal Fall is short yet scenic. Round trip, the hike to the footbridge is only 1.6 miles and the top of the falls accessed via the Mist Trail is 2.4 miles. Both offer up close and stunning views of the falls, and the short trek makes it ideal for families. If you’re feeling adventurous, continue up the Mist Trail a few more miles for views of Nevada Falls. This hike is extremely popular, so you’ll want to start early if you wish to avoid the crowds.
3. Rainbow Falls
Hilo, Hawaii
When it comes to waterfall hikes, Hawaii is in no short supply. Fittingly, Rainbow Falls is located off Rainbow Drive, and the falls can be easily viewed from the parking area. They tower over a lava cave, which according to legend, is home to Hina, the Hawaiian goddess of the moon. If you visit the falls early in the morning, you’ll likely see a rainbow (or two). Should you wish to get in an actual hike, venture to the top of the falls for a new perspective and continue upstream to view a second set of falls: Pe’epe’e Falls.
4. Lower Oneonta Falls
Oneonta Gorge, Oregon
Oregon is home to a number of breathtaking waterfalls, and Lower Oneonta Falls is definitely a chart topper. The hike to the falls is less than a mile round-trip, but requires scrambling over rocks, logs, and swimming, depending on the water level. The water can be ice-cold, so use caution and plan your trip during the warmer summer months. Once you reach the falls, you’ll be rewarded with views of the 100-foot falls streaming down volcanic rock coated in moss and ferns.
*Check the site for closures due to forest fires
5. Amicalola Falls
Dawsonville, Georgia
Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the hike to Amicalola Falls is one of the most popular in the state. An engaging hike, the 2.1-mile round trip adventure involves a series of bridges and stairs. It offers stunning views of the 730-foot falls and surrounding trees. If you wish to explore further, the national forest is home to a number of longer trails, with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. The hike is a busy one, so be sure to arrive early if you wish to catch a glimpse of Georgia’s tallest falls sans crowds.
6. Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Kentucky
Southeastern Kentucky’s Cumberland Falls is often referred to as the Niagara of the South due to its impressive display. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is home to 17 miles of hiking trails, but the falls are located just a short stroll from the parking area. As its nickname suggests, the falls are expansive, coming in at 125-feet wide and seven-stories tall. One of the most unique features of the falls is the occasional moonbow, or lunar rainbow that can be spotted on a full moon during clear nights.
7. Bridal Veil Falls
Telluride, Colorado
The tallest free-falling falls in all of Colorado, Bridal Veil Falls attracts visitors from all corners of the globe. Beginning from the parking area just past the Pandora Mill, the four-mile round-trip trail follows a series of switchbacks. You’ll get views of the historic power plant and Telluride valley before eventually reaching the falls. After navigating the short-but-steep trail, you’ll be treated with views of the 365-foot falls cascading into a box canyon.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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