It is perhaps slightly misleading to list Cold Spring Gap as a destination. There is no direct route there that doesn’t entail at least 10 miles of fairly rigorous hiking, which implies an overnight stay somewhere in the park. Therein lies one of the appealing factors. There is an inverse law that the farther one …
Lake Champlain Area
Lake Champlain is vast. Well not like Lake Baikal in Siberia or Lake Superior along the US-Canadian border, but large enough to provide outdoor activities for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. If you are more interested in the resort feel of the Adirondacks then come north on I-87, eventually peeling off on highway 9N at …
Nolan Creek
Nolan Creek is absolutely gorgeous in the fall. Of course this can be said of many areas of the Smoky Mountain National Park. Nolan Creek combines an idyllic setting of frolicking stream, thick deciduous canopy and wide curving trail, almost more of a country road than a hiking trail. Considering its nearness to the road …
Cumberland Island
The relatively high cost of transport out to Cumberland Island, $24 for a day visit, is worth every penny. Reservations are recommended as the National Park Service limits the number of people on the island at any one time, although one can legally land on the island via private craft. You catch the ferry from …
Vesper Peak
I think the first thought that pops into the head of a hiker who knows the history of the Sunrise Trail is, how did a miner ever get anything out of the mountains? Mules are notoriously capable of carrying heavy loads through treacherous terrain, but after fording the South Fork Stillaguamish and emerging from the …
Mount Townsend
Mount Townsend is almost ideally situated on the Northeast corner of the Olympic Mountains. It technically lies within the Buckhorn Wilderness, to the east of the Olympic National Park, standing at a respectable 6250’. Due to its location, on a clear day one can see the San Juans, Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, and if it’s …
Outdoor Activity Ideas: The Trash Scavenger Hunt
As vehement supporters of all things outdoors, it’s our job to help preserve the environment any way we can. Of course, one of the best ways to do so is to instill your own passion for nature into future generations. And while you’re probably not going to win over any kids showing them an impassioned …
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How To Avoid Wildlife Habitat When Finding Campsites
One of the main tenets of environmentally friendly camping is to avoid disturbing local wildlife. While the occasional sighting is certainly cool and not often a problem, displacing native animals is considered irresponsible by most outdoor enthusiasts. To be fair, most don’t intend to interrupt the life patterns of animals when they camp. But by …
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Outdoor Tips: Beginning Mountain Biking
Mountain biking, once considered a “fringe” or “extreme” sport, has taken hold as a popular and exciting outdoor activity in recent years. Its inherently challenging and physically demanding nature makes mountain biking more than just a hobby for many of those who participate. For the beginner, figuring out mountain biking techniques can be a pretty …
Outdoor Safety: Dealing With Dehydration
In the summer particularly, dehydration poses a risk to everyone outdoors – especially hikers and campers. Because they’re outside for long periods of time with limited resources, outdoor adventurers must take extra care to avoid dehydration and its unpleasant, potentially serious effects. Dehydration’s Hallmarks The medical definition of dehydration is a condition in which one’s …