THE GREAT BEYOND

There's no definitive line that separates the front country from the backcountry. It depends on whom you ask, but going into the backcountry usually involves going beyond some combination of variables: pavement, people, trash bins, toilets, traffic noise, cellphone service. Regardless of where that line happens to be, there's a good chance of finding solitude on the other side.

A PORTFOLIO EDITED BY JEFF KIDA AND KEITH WHITNEY

PRECEDING PANEL: Jagged mountains form a layered panorama at sunrise in a view near Rustler Park, part of Southeastern Arizona's Chiricahua Mountains. Named for the cattle thieves who once holed up there, Rustler Park is known for its birding and wildlife-watching opportunities.

LEFT: Spring snowmelt fuels an ephemeral waterfall in Gaddes Canyon, south of Jerome, in late-afternoon light. This canyon is on the east side of Mingus Mountain, one of the highest points in the Black Hills.

ABOVE: A shallow pool in the textured "brain rock" of White Pocket, in the Vermilion Cliffs of Northern Arizona, mirrors sky and stone in early morning light. A high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle is required to reach this extremely remote site.

BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY RULES

Food, water (lots of water), sunscreen... there are some obvious things to consider when heading into the backcountry. And there are dozens of other things you might not think of. Before you go, you need to think it through and make a plan. To get you started, our colleagues at Backpacker have come up with eight things for the top of the list.

Dramatic formations in the Mount Tipton Wilderness, northwest of Kingman, glow at sunrise as a spring storm passes overhead. This topographically challenging, 31,000-acre wilderness area offers numerous opportunities for hikers, equestrians and photographers.