Hi Buster,

Yes, thanks for asking. That’s because this story, like many at my blog, is partly free for anyone to read but requires a paid subscription to The Big Outside to read in full. (There are prompts within the story indicating that with a link to Join.)

A subscription gives you full access to all of my blog’s stories, including the trip planner section in stories about specific trips, where I share details of the itinerary and other logistics and tips on planning the trip. Honestly, this blog would not exist if not for the fact that I can make a living off it through the support of many readers who find the information and expertise I offer valuable.

I also offer Custom Trip Planning, where I’ll help you plan any trip you read about at my blog.

I hope one of those options is helpful to you. Thanks for the comment and keep in touch.

You’re welcome, Josh, and thank you for that suggestion.

Thanks Michael,

I did sign up for the newsletter! I did see that about GTNP, and I am super flexible so I may just try to get anything they have available while I’m there. Otherwise I’ll just be loitering taking pictures, hiking, and camping. I saw that Glacier is moving to 70/30 reserve/first-come so I’m definitely planning on getting that in as soon as it opens.

Again, I think you have the best trip articles, so I keep coming back. May subscribe in the future as I get more off the beaten path and checking off the more well-known places.

Hi Nick,

I’m delighted to hear The Big Outside keeps popping up in your searches!

You’re planning trips to three of my favorite places: Glacier (I’m also applying for a permit there this year), the Tetons, and Washington state (where I’ve spent many backcountry days, most recently in the Pasayten Wilderness last September; watch for my upcoming story about that trip). I’m also considering an Olympic Mountains trip this summer.

Those are all wonderful places, of course. I’ll note that Grand Teton NP, two-thirds of permits are issued first-come no more than a day before starting your trip. You could show up and have a good chance of getting one, although you may have to settle for whatever itinerary is available.

Since you keep happening upon my blog, I hope you sign up for my free email newsletter and decide to Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. And click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.

Please keep in touch!

I was recommended your site by my Google feed a couple months ago, and your superb articles just keep popping up in my feed! This one particularly so because I’m planning an August trip to both the Tetons and Glacier this year, plus a week in September to Washington.

In Glacier I’m going to be applying for a couple iternaries, including the North Loop through Ptarmigan tunnel from Many Glacier, Highline from Loop Trailhead to Fifty Mtn and back to Logan Pass, and one in the two medicine area.

In Teton, I’m not sure yet, but I’d like to do the Crest, but I know registration opened a couple weeks ago, so I’m keeping my options open. I also may just relax and find photography spots out in the plains.

In Washington, I’m thinking backcountry in Olympic somewhere.

Hi Mike,

You’re welcome and thank you for the nice words about this story and for reading my book. The southern Olympic coast is certainly much easier than the Grand Canyon and being on the beach much of the trip, especially having campsites on or just off the beach, makes it more fun for kids. Mine spent hours playing in tidepools at our two camps.

I imagine you’ll make that Teton Crest Trail hike happen with your family. Keep in mind that two-thirds of permits are issued first-come no more than a day before starting your trip. You could show up and have a good chance of getting one, although you may have to settle for whatever itinerary is available.

Have fun on the Olympic coast.

Hi Sianna,

June is a transitional month for seasons in the Western mountains and in the desert Southwest, so it depends in part on when in June you’re considering. I think with a question as general as yours, I’d invite you to scroll through my All Trips List as a place to start looking for ideas. And if you’d prefer getting my in-depth help, click here to learn how I can help you plan your trip.

Best of luck to you.

Hi Tyler,

Thanks for saying so and I’m glad you found The Big Outside! Good luck planning your trip.

Keep in mind that you can access the trip-planning tips in many stories with a subscription. And you can find complete details on planning some of the best backpacking trips in the country using my downloadable e-guides, including my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Wilderness Backpacking Trip.” And if you want my help navigating the permit and planning process, click here to see how I can do that for you.

Have fun.

Thanks, Aleksandar.

Hi Constance, thanks for the compliment about my article. You ask a very good question, and my strong advice is no, you shouldn’t try to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim in July, or June or August, for that matter (unless you see an unusually cooler forecast in early June). In summer, it’s blazing hot in the inner canyon, where there’s also little shade as temps regularly get into the 90s and top 100 F. That’s dangerously hot down there. The only truly safe times of day to hike, which would still be hot but without much direct sun, would be very early morning and evenings, and that requires disciplined early rising. It also means spending many hours during the day trying to stay cool and find shade. I don’t recommend it. Wait until you get an opportunity to do the hike in spring or fall. Thanks for the comment.