Discover how to make your summer backpacking adventures better with solar-powered gear and energy-efficient planning. Explore seven scenic trails across Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Wyoming, and learn how to pack light and stay safe. From solar chargers to GPS trackers, this guide helps you harness the sun’s energy while enjoying the great outdoors.

New Mexico and Colorado rank among the six sunniest states in the nation, and are where Tri-State is ramping up solar energy production. Tri-State will add five solar projects totaling 595 megawatts to the grid for its members in 2024 and 2025. In 2025, 50% of the energy Tri-State's members use will come from renewable resources.