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Fat Man Little Trail
Get to Know Hiking Water Filters
One of the scariest hikes I ever went on was when I ran out of water. It was a hot day but I brought 3 liters of water with me. I ran out on the last 2 miles of a 14 mile hike. I could see the car down the hill and was concerned I wouldn’t make it that far. Back then, I was new and I didn’t know to bring a filter to collect water on the trail. That was a mistake I don’t want to make again and I don’t want anyone else to either. I put this post together to let others get to know the hiking water filters that I have used in the past.
Pitas in Paradise – Crested Butte
Pitas in Paradise is family friendly, American and Mediterranean inspired restaurant and sports bar combination. They have booths, tables and outdoor patio at the Crested Butte location and also have a location in Gunnison. When I visited during a street fair in the downtown area, the Pita was packed but they also had a really helpful staff and the food came out quick! What more can you ask for in a neighborhood gyro place!
Crested Butte Lower Loop Trail
The Crested Butte Lower Loop Trail is a very popular recreation area. The trail is popular for all age groups, hikers, bikers, trail runners and more. Despite being so close to town, the Lower Loop Trail features some amazing river, mountain and meadow views. Plus, the history of being a reclaimed mining area. A really lovely area to enjoy the outdoors near Crested Butte.
Review: FeatherSnap Sout Bird Feeder
There are few things more relaxing than sitting on the porch and deck and watching birds enjoy a snack at the bird feeder. But what kind of bird was that? And I wonder if different birds come at different times? It is challenge to identify every bird that lands for a meal all day long. That is where the FeatherSnap Scout Bird Feeder hopes to come in. Their bird feeder comes with a camera to help keep a record and help identify all the birds that come to visit. I had to call in the big guns to help me with this review of the FeatherSnap Smart Bird Feeder.
Arches: Sand Dune and Broken Arch
Sand Dune and Broken Arch are two arches that are accessible from the Sand Dune Arch trailhead in Arches National Park. These two arches are on the easier side and might be a good option for families with smaller children due to the soft sand around Sand Dune Arch. Even though the hike is on the easier side, there are risks especially heat and sun exposure. Make sure to be prepared with water and protection from the elements on all hikes in Arches.
Review: Ombraz Armless Sunglasses
Before spending a bunch of time outdoors, I never really thought about sunglasses that much. I just need a pair that got me to the car and back. Now that I spend a ton of time in the outdoors and am more active, taking care of my eyes is a top priority. I have also lost quite a few pair of glasses being active so I was excited to try the Ombraz Armless Sunglasses. They use a cord instead of arms to keep them in the right spot every time. Since I don’t do a ton of action sports I even brought on my friends Brooke and Jackson to help review the Ombraz Armless Sunglasses in more active settings. Here are our thoughts.
Arches: The Windows Primitive Trail
Arches National Park is full of a lot of amazing natural wonders. Delicate Arch is probably the most popular, but before you get that far into the park there is a wonderful section off a side road called the Windows. These feature a beautiful double arch and is very popular. Most people enjoy it using the short, main trail that takes you right to the windows. However, if you are looking for a little more adventure, the Windows Primitive Trail is a wonderful way to view the rock feature!
Southern Vittles – Lake City, Colorado
Lake City, Colorado is quaint, smaller town in western Colorado that is full of recreational wonders and recreational vehicles. Off roading and exploring old mining roads, or hiking to the top of popular 14,000 peaks make this town a haven for those seeking adventure. Behind every great adventurer is a hearty appetite and that is Southern Vittles comes in. Southern Vittles focuses on southern wonders, hospitality, and comfort foods to help fuel the next adventure!
The Stone House – Montrose, CO
After a long day of hiking at the end of a long road trip, I was ready for a real sit day meal. While I usually look for the world of diners and cafe’s, something drew me in with The Stone House steakhouse in Montrose. In fact, the outside looks like something you find in old world fantasy novels. Instead of the modern sleek and mechanical lines, the Stone House has more of a warm and inviting feel like you are walking into an old home to enjoy a meal. It was so inviting…I forgot to take a picture of it. I guess the house just drew me in!
Black Canyon Warner Point Nature Trail
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a national park located in western Colorado that features amazing cliffs and canyons. There are amazing views, hiking, and other outdoor activities available at the park. One of the more popular hikes is located at the High Point parking area. Hiking the Black Canyon Warner Point Nature Trail will give visitors some amazing views of the canyon and some of the unique nature features of the park.
Sun Hoodie’s for Hiking: Everything to Know
I was in Moab earlier this year and the only timed entry ticket I could get into Arches National Park was at noon. If you have never been to Arches in June at Noon, it is roughly 1000 degrees and the blazing sun bounces off of all of those red rocks. In the past I had always opted with light t-shirts on the hottest days but this time I had a Sun Hoodie with me. I decided to give it a shot against the unrelenting Utah Sun. With all my skin covered I headed up to Delicate Arch, fully exposed to the sun, and to my surprise I was actually cooler and more comfortable! I was immediately a convert to the practice and wanted to share it all with you! Here is Sun Hoodies for Hiking: Everything to Know about some of the best options.
Review: Melan Sunscreen
As someone who hikes in the high altitudes and thin air in Colorado, sun protection is vitally important to my hiking kit. I also happen to have blonde hair, a red (with a bit salt mixed with the ginger) beard, and a light complexion. this means that I don’t really tan but instead go straight to the sunburn. The intense sun in the Colorado Mountains amplifies that even more. I was able to test out a new brand of sunscreen, Melan Sunscreen, that has one of the most incredible origin stories around, against he tough sun of Colorado. Here are my thoughts and review of Melan Sunscreen.
Granite Gear Virga3 55L Ultralight Review
The world of Ultralight backpacking is one that has made huge advances in recent years. Not only does an Ultralight pack need to carry everything to support you for days to weeks in the woods, but it also has to be lighter than a liter of water. That is exactly what the Granite Gear Virga3 55L Ultralight pack aims to achieve. It is a tough and durable pack that comes in under two pounds. The Fatman doesn’t know much about ultralight so I enlisted my friend and backpacking enthusiast, Jackson, to review the Granite Gear Virga3 Ultralight Backpack.
Cooper’s on the Creek – Georgetown
Georgetown, Colorado has a ton of wonderful hiking and outdoor recreation. But it is moving towards a wonderful place to eat as well! Located just off the main traffic circle is Cooper’s on the Creek. With outdoor seating, a full bar and an extensive menu, Cooper’s is a great spot for a post adventure meal.
La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Review
A hiking shoe can be a hiker’s best friend or worst enemy. If it can provide a comfortable, sure-footed, and waterproof experience, it can make the hike 1000x better. If it can’t do all of those things, it could make for a long, miserable time on the trail. Enter the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX hiker. A shoe that is designed for the mid level hiking and backpacking trips. The Nucleo incorporates a lot of technology and experience into its design with the goal to make you comfortable and able to conquer any terrain. I was sent a pair and I put them to the test. Here is my review of the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Hiker.
Review: Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR Women’s
Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR Women’s Travel to Trail running shoe. Finding that perfect pair of shoes comes with challenges. Some shoes are designed for the pro’s and are overly technical. Others are built for casual user but are missing all of the technology that make shoes great these days. The hard part is to find that pair that fits both the beginner and casual user and the pro alike. That was the goal of the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR from women. A shoe that was built to go from first timers to pro’s, and between the pavement and the trail to give the user a great experience. I asked my friend Brooke to put the Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR Women’s shoes to the test and here is her review.
Canyonlands Upheaval Dome Overlooks Hike
The Canyonlands Upheaval Dome Overlooks Hike is a very cool hike located in the Island In The Sky portion of Canyonlands. The hike is relatively short and has two different overlooks that look down into an inverted dome. There is still a bit of debate on what caused the unique landscape. Some believe this was a giant salt dome that suffered from erosions, while others believe it is the result of an impact from a meteorite. You can read more about the theories here. I’m a hiker and not a scientist so I will just say that this is a pretty amazing thing to look at and an enjoyable hike!
Review: Mountain Khakis Ridgeline Hybrid Pants
When it comes to hiking pants, there is always a give and take between being lightweight and durable. Some can master one or the other but it is hard to have both. The Mountain Khakis Ridgeline Hybrid is one of those pants that tries to do both, with good results! I had the chance to put these pants through their paces and was really happy with what I found. Here is my review of the Mountain Khakis Ridgeline Hybrid Pants.
Canyonlands – Murphy Point Trail
Canyonlands Murphy Point Trail is one of the most surprising trails I have been on. The trail is in the middle of the park and doesn’t seem like it will have any of those iconic Canyonland views. That is until you get closer to the end where the ground drops off and the canyons stretch as far as the eyes can see!
Feel It All: Drew Petersen’s Mental Health Marathon
Feel It All: Drew Petersen’s Mental Health Marathon. Every once in a while I get wind of a story that is too important not to share. That is how I feel about Feel it All featuring Drew Petersen. This is a story of a man who was in the deepest valley of his mental health journey. Looking up at what seemed like an impossible climb and a peak that was one hundred miles away. Instead of giving up and ending the journey in that valley, Drew Petersen decided to start running. 100 miles straight up hill towards the peak. He wasn’t afraid of the climb or the pain. He wanted to feel it all. That is what is captured in his short documentary screening soon in the Denver area. Here is the important info for Feel it All and Drew Petersen’s Mental Health Marathon.
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I am an outdoor enthusiast and outdoor blogger who has written over 500 posts reviewing trails, products, locally owned restaurants, and documenting my experiences on the trail as a hefty hiker. I have also been featured by prominent outdoor brands.
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