Geography Geography 5 min read

Bucket list-worthy!

Grab your backpack and prepare to visit the 12 best day hikes in the U.S.

Image: Vi Nowak

Selecting the best day hikes in a country as vast and diverse as the United States is no easy task. With thousands of incredible hikes, parks, and trail systems, choosing your next adventure can feel overwhelming. So, where should you go next? We know it’s a tough decision, so we’ve narrowed it down to 12 unique and equally amazing options. Join us as we explore the most beautiful day hikes in the U.S.!

1
Chain Lakes Loop Trailhead

Image: Pavł Polø

If you’re looking for stunning views and vibrant fall colors, Chain Lakes is the place to go. Located in Washington’s Mount Baker National Forest, this 6.5-mile trail takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete.

The Chain Lakes Loop is one of the most scenic hikes in the country, offering a glimpse of Northern Washington’s breathtaking landscapes . A paradise for outdoor explorers and landscape photographers, it features turquoise glacial lakes, rugged mountain chains, alpine meadows, snow-capped volcanic peaks, and towering conifers—it truly has it all!

2
Tom Dick and Harry Mountain

Image: Aleksey Kuprikov

Mirror Lake, located in Oregon’s Mount Hood National Forest, is a scenic trail popular for picnicking and swimming. But for even better views, hike another mile—you’ll be rewarded with the breathtaking sights of Mount Hood, a stunning perspective of the lake below, Mount Jefferson to the south, and, on a clear day, even Mount Rainier .

Tom Dick and Harry Mountain features three distinct peaks, which inspired its name—referencing the old phrase "any Tom, Dick, or Harry," used to describe three generic people. This 7.8-mile trail takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete.

3
Miners Ridge and James Irvine Trail Loop

Image: wallace Henry

This 13-mile trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California, is long but has relatively little elevation gain. Though it takes 6 to 9 hours to complete, the breathtaking views are totally worth it.

The Miners Ridge and James Irvine Trail Loop is one of the best places to experience the majesty of the redwoods . Staring up at these massive, ancient old-growth trees is truly awe-inspiring. But while the trees are the main attraction, they’re not the only highlight. This loop also takes you across a scenic stretch of beach—offering the perfect opportunity to cool off in the ocean midway through your hike.

4
Clouds Rest From Tenaya Lake

Image: Jess Polley

When people think of Yosemite, Half Dome usually steals the spotlight. But what if we told you there’s a less crowded hike with unique landscapes and unforgettable views?

At nearly 13 miles, the Clouds Rest Trail from Tenaya Lake is a challenging yet rewarding day hike. The trail itself is beautiful, featuring rolling terrain with several ups and downs. Reaching the summit of Clouds Rest will reward you with breathtaking 360-degree views of the national park . From the top, you can spot Tenaya Lake, the Cathedral Spires, Mount Dana, and, of course, Half Dome.

5
Angels Landing

Image: Carl Nenzen Loven

Contemplating the world from atop a jaw-dropping mountain view is a humbling experience everyone should go through at least once. At Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Utah, that sense of majesty is within reach.

Though stunning, this 4.8-mile hike is not to be taken lightly. It has some dangerous cliffs that make it a bit challenging. If you have vertigo, perhaps this trail is not for you. However, if you are in good shape and have an adventurous soul, the stunning scenery at the summit is something not to be missed.

6
Alkali Flat Trail

Image: PublicDomainPictures

For a truly unique experience, travel to White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. The breathtaking blue skies and otherworldly white dunes of the Alkali Flat Trail will transport you to a desert worthy of the best adventure films.

On regular terrain, this 5-mile hike would be considered easy. However, the desert environment and lack of shade make it far more demanding than you might expect. To stay safe, avoid hiking in the summer and be mindful of the heat.

7
Mount Bierstadt

Image: caleb weiner

Did you know Colorado is home to more than 50 fourteeners? Mountains above 14,000 feet in height are the ultimate challenge for any self-respecting hiker. Mount Bierstadt, one of the more accessible 14ers, offers a rewarding climb just a short drive from Denver.

This 7.4-mile trail provides stunning views of Mount Evans, Torreys Peak, and Grays Peak. However, no mountain should be tackled without proper preparation and planning. That said, summiting Bierstadt is an excellent test of your abilities—especially if you're gearing up for a more challenging climb.

8
Cascade Canyon Trail

Image: ELTON MENEFEE

The Cascade Canyon Trail in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, is a must-explore for any hiker. Just a mile from Jenny Lake, the trail features two stunning landmarks: Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.

Many visitors turn back at this point, missing out on eight more miles of breathtaking canyon scenery. If you're up for a longer trek, continue onward to experience the true grandeur of the Tetons up close. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife—you might even spot moose or bears!

9
Grinnell Glacier Trail

Image: Mick Kirchman

Glacier National Park is one of the most breathtaking places in America. With its turquoise lakes and jagged, arrowhead-like peaks , it stands apart from any other park in the U.S. Among its many trails, the Grinnell Glacier hike is one of the most popular in the Montana park.

This 10.5-mile trek offers stunning views, with the massive Mount Gould dominating the horizon. A word of advice: add this hike to your bucket list ASAP. Grinnell Glacier is rapidly shrinking and may disappear within the next few decades.

10
Ricketts Glen Falls Loop

Image: Venti Views

Hiking isn’t just about summiting mountains—waterfalls can offer spectacular views too! This 6.8-mile loop in Pennsylvania features more than 20 waterfalls, making it one of the best waterfall hikes in the eastern United States . While some trails lead to taller, more dramatic falls, few offer the sheer number and variety found here.

Each waterfall is unique and beautiful in its own way, ranging from 15 to 50 feet in height, with the tallest reaching nearly 100 feet. But that’s not all—along this trail, you’ll also encounter fascinating rock formations and ancient old-growth forests.

11
Giant Mountain

Image: Ty Finck

Although New England peaks are only a third the height of the Rockies, East Coast hikes can be even more challenging due to their rugged trails, steep descents, and tricky terrain. Tackling Giant Mountain in the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness is no small feat.

This New York trail takes 4 to 6 hours to complete, but the effort is well worth it. You’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views and a picturesque forest , making it a must-visit for those confident in their ability to take on a strenuous climb.

12
Precipice Trail

Image: Raphael Assouline

With its rocky cliffs and oceanside forests , Maine’s Acadia National Park offers a hiking experience unlike any other in the eastern United States. While all of its rugged peaks provide stunning views, no trail in Acadia is as memorable—or as challenging—as the Precipice Trail.

Despite the trail’s short length (just 2.6 miles), this is a challenging hike not recommended if you have a fear of heights. Once you reach the summit of Champlain Mountain, after nearly a thousand feet of climbing, you will be rewarded with sprawling views looking out over the park, Frenchman Bay, and the Mount Desert Narrows stretching out to the Atlantic.

General General 3 min read

Ghost in the machine?

12 warning signs that can reveal a virus in your computer

Image: Michael Geiger

Computer viruses can be sneaky, as they attempt to go as undetected as possible while their nasty work is being accomplished. They can be picked up by clicking on malicious attachments or links, or they may be installed on your computer without your knowledge. Fortunately, most antivirus programs today can handle these threats, but it’s always wise to be aware of these 12 warning signs—just in case.

1
Too slow

Image: Milad Fakurian

If your computer suddenly starts running much slower than usual, this could be a virus infection giveaway, since viruses can cause a computer to perform significantly worse than usual by consuming a lot of resources .

2
Too hot

Image: Artur Solarz

If your computer's fan suddenly becomes unusually loud, this could be a virus warning. If this happens, the computer is being pushed to its limits by some software , possibly a virus, causing the CPU to heat up.

3
Increased random pop-ups

Image: KOBU Agency

Pop-ups are a common nuisance on the internet. However, if you notice a sudden increase in random pop-ups, it could indicate that your computer is infected with a virus. Some pop-up ads contain malware that, if clicked, can install itself on your computer and run without your knowledge. These pop-ups may appear as error messages, or even messages claiming your computer has a virus .

4
Repeated crashes and freezes

Image: Joshua Hoehne

A computer may crash or freeze when running a resource-intensive program or app. However, if it crashes or freezes frequently without any demanding programs running , it could be a sign of a virus infection .

5
Browser homepage changes

Image: Nathana Rebouças

A browser’s homepage should not change unless the user modifies it. At most, it may open a separate tab after an update, but it won’t alter the homepage. If your browser’s homepage unexpectedly switches to a different website , your computer may be infected with a virus .

6
Unknown programs

Image: KOBU Agency

An unknown program or app appearing on a computer could be an indicator of virus presence. A hidden virus may be launching programs that the user did not download .

7
Computer battery draining

Image: Roberto Sorin

As we’ve learned, viruses consume a lot of resources, and a computer’s battery is no exception . When a computer’s battery life quickly drops, this could mean a virus is running in the background and spreading to affect the system.

8
Missing files and corrupted data

Image: Markus Spiske

Missing or corrupted files can also indicate a virus infection on a computer. Heuristic viruses often target files, causing them to disappear or become unreadable . This not only disrupts the workflow but also poses a significant threat to personal and professional information, such as important documents, cherished photos, or critical work files.

9
Unfamiliar files and folders

Image: Cookie the Pom

Computer viruses not only make files disappear but also create files and folders to disguise their presence. Some viruses modify files on a computer by giving them almost identical names, allowing them to blend in with the rest of the documents.

10
Disabled security tools

Image: Ed Hardie

Antivirus programs and security tools are some of our best allies against computer viruses. That’s why, when a virus infects a computer, it often disables security features to make its job easier. Some viruses are specifically designed to disable security tools, giving them access to the computer’s data and private information. If an antivirus program has been disabled, it could be a sign that a virus has shut it down.

11
Unknown emails in the Sent folder

Image: Justin Morgan

Checking the Sent messages folder in one’s Inbox every once in a while is a smart thing to do. Some viruses gain access to a target’s contact list and send emails from their address , spreading malware to other recipients.

12
Unable to access the computer or accounts

Image: Simon Hattinga Verschure

A computer virus may completely block a genuine user’s access . If you realize that you can’t access your online accounts or your entire computer, this can be a sure sign that a virus is running on your computer.

Geography Geography 4 min read

Around the world

A Statue of Liberty in Paris? 10 Landmarks with clones around the world!

Image: Darryl Brooks

The world is full of iconic landmarks: Mount Rushmore, the Colosseum, and the Eiffel Tower, just to name a few. These majestic monuments are rich in history and reflect the societies that built them. But what if we told you there's a Leaning Tower of Pisa in Tennessee or a Statue of Liberty in France? It may seem like the world is upside down, but they do exist! Join us as we explore 10 fascinating replicas of the world's most famous landmarks.

1
The Statue of Liberty in France

Image: Tom Corbett

Europe may seem like a different world from the United States, but surprisingly, some things bring us closer. Did you know there's a replica of the Statue of Liberty in Paris? Unveiled in 1889 —just three years after the original in New York—it was created to honor the strong ties between the US and France. It stands along the banks of the iconic Seine River . At about 37 feet tall , it’s quite a bit smaller than the original, which stands at 151 feet.

2
The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Illinois

Image: davide ragusa

Ahhh... the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the most famous and instantly recognizable landmarks in the world. Have you seen that classic picture of tourists "holding up" the tower? Well, you don't need to travel all the way to Italy to take one, because Illinois has its very own replica!

The Leaning Tower of Niles, Illinois, is about half the size of the original (94 feet vs. 183 feet), but it's just as fascinating. Next time you're in the Prairie State, you’ll know where to stop!

3
The White House in China

Image: Raymond M.E. Aguirre

The White House in Washington, DC, is a powerful symbol of America—but it's not the only one of its kind! Believe it or not, replicas of this iconic mansion can be found in various parts of the world, including China. In fact, China has not just one, but several replicas of the historic American building. And that’s not all—there’s also a life-size replica of the US Capitol Building in Beijing. Pretty wild, right? We'd love to visit these replicas!

4
Trevi Fountain in Nevada

Image: Michele Bitetto

Las Vegas, Nevada, is definitely one of the places in the US with the most replicas of international landmarks. One of the most celebrated is the Trevi Fountain at Caesars Palace, with its amazing resemblance to the original.

If you've been to the Trevi Fountain in Rome—or even if you've just seen pictures of it—you know that the details of its sculptures are incredibly intricate, so creating a replica is no small feat. Fortunately, Las Vegas pulled it off quite well. Although their fountain is much smaller than the original, it’s no slouch when it comes to beauty!

5
The Hollywood Sign in Ireland

Image: De'Andre Bush

The huge and famous Hollywood sign attracts millions of visitors each year. Fortunately, people living in Europe don’t need to travel all the way to California to get their own " Hollywood " photo —there’s a replica of the legendary sign in Ireland !

But here's the crazy fact: there's a city called Hollywood in Ireland, which is believed to have inspired the name of the Los Angeles film district.

6
The Eiffel Tower in Texas

Image: Malgorzata Frej

Paris isn’t just the famous city of love in France. There's another charming Paris, and it's located here in the US, more specifically, in Texas!

As a way to celebrate its name, the city of Paris, Texas, built a replica of the splendid Eiffel Tower in 1993. The Texan version stands at about 65 feet tall , compared to the original’s 1,083 feet. While it may not reach the same height, it has a unique twist that makes it special: the tower is topped with a big red cowboy hat !

7
The Mount Rushmore in China

Image: Brandon Mowinkel

Mount Rushmore is definitely one of America’s most iconic landmarks, with the faces of Lincoln, Washington, Roosevelt, and Jefferson carved into a massive granite mountainside.

Incredibly, there's a replica of this monument in China ! The Chinese version closely resembles the original, although it was created using much more modern techniques—and, of course, it’s considerably smaller in scale than the original.

8
The Parthenon in Tennessee

Image: Joshua Woods

A former temple in Greece dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Parthenon is one of the most famous monuments in the world. Although much of the original has fallen into ruins, you can still see what it looked like when it was complete right here in Tennessee!

That’s right! The city of Nashville has a full-scale replica of the incredible temple. Built in 1897, it still stands today as a stunning tribute to classical architecture.

9
The Stonehenge in Washington

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

Stonehenge is that famous prehistoric monument in England, made up of massive 25-ton stones —each standing about 13 feet tall and 7 feet wide—arranged in a mysterious circle. But here's the great news: You don't have to travel to Europe to experience it up close because we have our very own replica right here in Washington State!

Known as the Maryhill Stonehenge , this version was created as a memorial to those who died in World War I. It took 11 years to complete, from 1918 to 1929, and instead of ancient stone, it’s made entirely of concrete .

10
The Pyramid in Nevada

Image: Simon Berger

In the incredible city of Las Vegas, you also have the chance to see a replica of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World ! We’re talking, of course, about the Great Pyramid of Giza—recreated at the Luxor Hotel and Casino . Built in 1993, the Las Vegas pyramid rises an impressive 30 stories high!

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