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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

1

1851: Early refining emerges

Image: Cedrik Wesche

Just before the drilling boom, chemists like Samuel Kier developed small stills to refine crude oil into kerosene for lamps.

That innovation turned oil from a curiosity into a practical commodity. Kerosene replaced whale oil, making lighting cheaper and more widely available, and it created demand for a reliable crude supply.

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1859: First commercial well

Image: Provincial Archives of Alberta

On August 27, 1859, Drake Well near Titusville, Pennsylvania, drilled by Edwin L. Drake, became the first purposefully drilled commercial oil well in U.S. history.

This moment ignited the first true American oil boom. Suddenly, it was possible to produce large volumes of crude—not just collect surface seepage—and to refine it into useful fuels.

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1860s–1870s: Pennsylvania oil rush

Image: Jeff W

Word of the Drake success spread fast, and drilling spiked throughout Pennsylvania. Towns such as Titusville swelled almost overnight as wells and refineries spread along Oil Creek Valley.

Railroads extended into western Pennsylvania to transport oil across the country, embedding petroleum into America’s emerging industrial infrastructure.

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1890s: Dawn of the automobile

Image: Matthew Lancaster

By the 1890s and into the early 20th century, the rise of the automobile created growing demand for gasoline , which had previously been a relatively minor byproduct of crude oil refining.

This shift moved oil’s primary role away from lighting and industrial lubrication and toward transportation fuel , setting the stage for petroleum to dominate America’s energy needs in the decades that followed.

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1900s–1910s: Rise of big oil companies

Image: Russel Bailo

Following early successes, oil refining and distribution consolidated. Firms like Standard Oil Company rose to dominate refining, pipelines, and distribution networks.

At the same time, new oil fields and competition still challenged monopolies and spread oil wealth and infrastructure across more regions of the country.

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1914–1945: Oil & war

Image: Roman

During both World War I and World War II, U.S. oil production and refining capacity became critical to the Allied war effort , fueling ships, vehicles, aircraft, and manufacturing.

That strategic role cemented oil’s position not only in industry but also in American global power, military strategy, and foreign policy.

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1960: A global oil cartel forms

Image: Christian Harb

On September 14, 1960, the main oil‑exporting nations formed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to coordinate oil production and influence prices globally.

Though initially limited in power, OPEC’s rise began to challenge American dominance , setting the stage for decades of geopolitical tension around oil supply.

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1969: Santa Barbara oil spill

Image: matt brown

In early 1969, a blowout from an offshore drilling platform released tens of thousands of barrels of oil into the waters off California’s coast, devastating marine life and beaches.

The resulting public outrage helped trigger a surge in environmental awareness and regulation, marking a turning point in how the oil industry was perceived socially and politically.

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1970–1973: Peak and decline

Image: Documerica

By 1970, U.S. conventional oil production reached its peak, but soon after began a decline as domestic fields matured and couldn’t keep up with the growing demand.

As American production fell, the country gradually became more reliant on foreign oil, a shift that would have major economic and political repercussions.

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2000s–2010s: Top oil producer again

Image: engin akyurt

In the early 2000s, engineers refined techniques like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. This unlocked vast shale‑oil and shale‑gas reserves previously uneconomical to tap.

From about 2010 onward, U.S. crude oil production rose sharply, reversing decades of decline. By 2019, the country was producing at levels not seen since the early 1970s.

1

July 2nd

In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams predicted that July 2nd would go down in history. Why? Well, because that's the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from Great Britain. But while the vote happened on the 2nd, the text of the Declaration of Independence wasn't approved until the 4th, so that's the date we celebrate.

2

Secret signers

The signing of the Declaration of Independence wasn't as simple as it might seem. In fact, signatures were added over time, from July to August. In addition, the names of the signers were kept secret from the public for six months. Why? Because if the fight for independence had failed, those who signed the document would have been labeled traitors, and under British law, that meant a punishment of death.

3

Washington invites

In the middle of the Revolutionary War, 1778 marked the second anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, George Washington wasn't about to let the anniversary go unnoticed, so he ordered a double ration of rum for his soldiers to celebrate the holiday.

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Something written on the back

There's actually something written on the back of the Declaration of Independence. This handwritten note appears upside down at the bottom of the back of the parchment, and it reads: "Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776." Just like we label the files we save on our computers today, it's believed they added the note to help identify the original document from other copies.

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We are many more now

Many courageous people did everything they could to make the Independence dream a reality and help the nation grow. And it did grow. While there's no exact official data from that time, the US Census Bureau estimates that about 2.5 million people lived in America in 1776. By the most recent census in 2020, that number had grown to about 332 million.

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John Adams' idea

It's hard to imagine the 4th of July without the classic barbecues, parades, and -of course- fireworks lighting up the sky. But even though these traditions are now staples, there was a first time for all of them. It's said that John Adams himself, in that letter to his wife Abigail, suggested using fireworks and illuminations to celebrate this important day.

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Busy hospitals

While fireworks are beautiful and help raise patriotic spirit during Independence Day celebrations, it's also true that they can sometimes be dangerous. In fact, it's been reported that hospitals see more patients than usual on July 4th due to fireworks-related injuries.

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Thomas Jefferson's laptop

Of course, laptops didn't exist at the time of the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence, but that's a fun way to describe the lap desk Thomas Jefferson used to write it. That's right: The father of the Declaration of Independence didn't need a grand marble desk or anything fancy to put his ideas into words.

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Surprising coincidences

The 4th of July isn't just the day America officially declared its independence; it also holds some incredible historical coincidences. On Independence Day in 1826, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died, exactly 50 years after the birth of the nation they helped create. Five years later, in 1831, James Monroe became the third president to die on the 4th of July.

But it's not all about endings: President Calvin Coolidge was born on the 4th of July, 1872, making him the only US president born on Independence Day.

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Millions of hot dogs

It's clear we Americans love hot dogs, and for good reason. This iconic food is closely tied to one of the most important days in our nation's history. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (yes, that's a real thing), Americans typically eat around 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day alone.