Tim Phillips Show, 7/1/26

Hoping to get some hiking in this summer? If you’re heading to a national park to hit the trails, you’ll be in good company, as they’re often crowded with hikers this time of year. But some hiking trails are much more popular than others and a new ranking tells us where they are.

Research from Strava, a fitness tracking platform, reveals the hiking spots people hit most nationwide.
According to the study, California is the place to be, as it’s home to half of the 10 most popular hikes.
The top two on the list are both in Yosemite National Park, with hikers rating the Mist/Muir Intersection Down trail - which has an elevation change of nearly 500 feet - the most popular trail.
It offers “spectacular, up-close views of two large waterfalls, enjoyable scenery along the Merced River, and unique views across Yosemite Valley,” the National Park Service explains.
The second most popular trail is Yosemite’s Half Dome, which features one of the most iconic views of the park ever captured.
This hike is physically demanding and takes 10 to 12 hours, on average, to complete. It’s 14 to 16 miles and rises 48-hundred-feet to reach the top, which park officials point out can be a “great challenge to many hikers.”
The 10 Most Popular Hikes in the U.S.

Yosemite National Park: Mist/Muir Intersection Down
Yosemite National Park: Half Dome
Arches National Park, Utah: Arches Entrance Road Climb
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: Dream Lake to Bear Lake – Downhill
Zion National Park, Utah: Angel base down to river
Coconino National Forest, Arizona: Devil’s Bridge Ascent
Honolulu: Diamond Head Hike to first tunnel
Fremont: Mission Peak – Stanford gate
San Diego: Cowles Mountain Descent
Los Angeles: Down We Go!
Source: NY Post

One-Hit Wonder - THINK IT OVER    CHERYL LADD  #34 in  1978, Born Cheryl Stoppelmoor on 7/12/1951 in Huron, South Dakota. Singer/actress. Starred in several movies and TV shows. Married to David Ladd (son of actor Alan Ladd) from 1974-80. Married producer/songwriter Brian Russell (Brian & Brenda) in 1981. This song was writte by Brian and Brenda.

The Fourth of July holiday is just days away and there’s even more to celebrate this year as America marks 250 years since its founding. In honor of the anniversary, CBS News asked Americans to weigh in on what they think stands out most about our country.

According to the poll of 2,150 U.S. adults, the best thing about the American way of life is “the people.”

Nearly half (44%) of respondents rated it number one, followed by the land resources and climate (20%), the economic system, trade & business (17%), and our system of government (10%).
When asked to explain what they think America’s greatest invention has been, freedom and democracy were the most popular response overall (16%).
The lightbulb and lighting were second (14%), followed by the Internet (10%).
Most of the answers were related to technology and innovation, with the automobile (6%), telephone (5%) and airplane (4%) rounding out the top responses.
Respondents were also asked “What is America the best in the world at?” And movies and television top the list with 58%.
Technology and innovation are second with 56%, followed by music (41%), sports (38%) and food (31%).
As for the food that best represents America, hamburgers are number one, scoring a third of the votes.
Burgers beat barbecue (25%), apple pie (19%), hot dogs (14%) and pizza (6%).
Just over half of those polled are at least somewhat excited about the upcoming “America 250” celebrations, including 23% who are “very excited.”
But 47% admit they’re not really excited about them.
And 48% say they’ll be flying the American flag at home on the Fourth of July this year.
Source: CBS News