A breathtaking fall hike through golden larches, alpine lakes, and endless mountain views — and a reminder that not every family hike needs to be “family friendly” to be meaningful. Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that ask a little more of us.

Travel is about more than the places we go—it’s about the people who shape how we experience the world. This post is a love letter to the friends who’ve hiked beside us, held space for our grief, made ordinary trips unforgettable, and kept lifelong promises across miles and years. These are the friendships that changed everything.