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Fat Man Little Trail
Review: Lemongrass Farms Natural Bug Spray
Nothing ruins a good time in the outdoors faster than a ton of bugs. At the same time, I always wonder about spraying traditional bug spray in the pristine natural settings. I would hate to have those chemicals stay around and hurt the environment. Lemongrass Farms Natural Bug Spray, Trek, may be the solution for both problems. It is natural, using essential oils, and it keeps bugs away. Here is my full review.
Vallarta’s of Craig – Craig
Vallarta’s of Craig is the restaurant on top of the hill on the western side of US-40 in Craig. They serve traditional Mexican fare and had some of the nicest waitstaff. They were all super friendly and I had a great time spending sometime and eating and hearing about all there is to do in Craig. Plus, I got to share my hiking knowledge with some of the staff that was going to college in other parts of Colorado. A very fun experience!
Sterns Trail at Cedar Mountain
Cedar Mountain, in Craig, is a nice open space that has activities available for most people. The mountain is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is available for hiking, bird watching, biking and hunting in season. The Sterns trail at Cedar Mountain is one of the more popular hiking trails that combines a bit of elevation with some of the most spectacular views of the area around.
Hoss and Little Joe Loop – Park City
On a recent trip to Park City, Utah, I got in late and wanted to do a quick hike before sunset. I remembered about the amazing hiking so close to town and was able to make to the Bonanza Flats and take a hike on the Hoss and Little Joe Loop just before the sun went down. The trail system includes some mountain lakes and it is only a few minute from downtown Park City. It is a great place to explore all summer long and the Hoss and Little Joe Loop was a perfect evening hike with some wonderful views.
Icebreaker Base Layers Review
Base layers have become a huge part of the outdoor apparel world. From keeping you warm on the coldest of winter hikes, to keeping you cool on those summer adventures, today’s base layers have to be able to do it all. The technology keeps getting better and better! However, some of the basics are the same. Like using wool. IceBreaker base layers take their base from sustainable merino wool. We had a chance to test some out and here is our review of the IceBreaker Base Layers.
The Mist
National Parks on a clear, crisp, sunny day are one of the best experiences in the world. The mountain peaks, arches, lakes and canyons all stand out like a post card against the crystal blue backdrop of the perfect sky. The sun spotlights the smallest features that it wants you to see or casts shadows to make the views more vibrant through the contrast. The bright light bounces off the water droplets exploding from the base of a waterfall or turns the sky red and purple as it sets and rises. But what about the other days. The times when the clouds hang low and the mist hides the secrets of the park?
Outdoor Retailer 2024 Recap
Outdoor Retailer is one of the biggest outdoor industry trade shows around. It was held this year in Salt Lake City and filled the Salt Palace Convention center. As a member of the “media”, I was invited again to see all of the new brands that were showcasing at the show. Some were familiar names with new product lines but more than any year before there were a lot of new brands with new products. I haven’t had a chance to test much of the gear yet so this is just my first-take recap based on my quick meetings at the brands booths. Here is my Outdoor Retailer 2024 Recap.
Review: Ibex Women’s Indie Hoodie
Finding that perfect layer is one of the most important aspect to enjoying a hike. Too heavy and you can overheat, too light and you aren’t prepared for the elements. Having something that is versatile and can work in different situations is key. That perfect layer may just be the Ibex Women’s Indie Hoodie. My friend Chloe helped me out and put the hoodie through it’s paces. Here is her review of the Ibex Women’s Indie Hoodie.
Warehouse Food Hall – Craig, CO
One of my favorite parts of my journeys is finding some amazing, locally owned restaurants in the towns and areas that I visit. That is why I was so excited to visit the Warehouse Food Hall in Craig, Colorado. The Warehouse is a collection of several locally owned food stands all under one roof. There is the Food Bar, that has bowls and salads. The Warehouse Grill that has burgers fries and apps. Sauce ’em Up BBQ for BBQ and Super Slice for pizza and flatbreads. Each spot also has some specials and there is a bar as well for all your adult beverage needs.
Review: Kuhl Konfidant Air Pants
There are so many options for hiking pants out there that sometimes it is hard to find what’s best for you. Even more, it becomes a challenge just to find the difference between pants that all tend to look and feel the same. However, the new Kuhl Konfidant Air pants really made strides when it came to technology and innovation that really makes them stand out. I was sent a pair to review and was impressed. Here is my review of the Kuhl Konfidant Air Pants.
Stagecoach State Park – Lakeside Trail
Stagecoach State Park is a real gem of a park located about 25 minutes south of Steamboat Springs in Colorado. According to their website, Stagecoach features a boat launch, 92 campsites, picnic areas, a marina, hiking trails, and a swim beach. The main feature though is the 820 acre Stagecoach Reservoir. The reservoir was active on my visit with boats on the water and people fishing along the coastline. Stagecoach is surrounded with some really nice vistas and the views are impressive. I took a short trip and enjoyed a shorter hike. Here is a look at the Stagecoach State Park Lakeside Trail.
Dueling D’s BBQ and Grill – Oak Creek
I haven’t spent too much time in northwest Colorado so when I was driving through the very cool downtown of Oak Creek, I decided to stop for some good food. I was immediately drawn to Dueling D’s. One for the barbecue but also because on the back patio was a huge graduation party. I figured if the local residents want to party there it must be the spot to go.
2024 FMLT Father’s Day Gift Guide
Father’s day is right around the corner. A time to celebrate the father’s out there who took us camping, fishing, hiking and helped foster that love of the outdoors. There are a ton of options for the all the dad’s out there and if you ask, they would probably say they just want a day together. However, everyone likes a good gift so I thought I would put together my list of some great options for all the dad’s out there for this Father’s Day. Here is my 2024 Father’s Day Gift Guide.
Royal Robbins Spring/Summer Style Review
As we begin to hit the roads and airports for the travel season it is important to find the clothes that are going to keep us looking, and feeling, nice and cool for our adventures. Royal Robbins is based in the adventure spirit. From climbing and hiking to travel, Royal has your needs covered. To take a look at their latest stuff, I have enlisted my friend Brooke as we take a look at the best men’s and women’s options in our Royal Robbins Spring/Summer Style Review.
Best Underwear for Hiking: Smartwool, SAXX, PAKA, Icebreaker, and BN3TH Compared
With all the backpacks, rain jackets, specialty shoes and loads of other gear for outdoor adventures, it is easy to overlook one of the more important but least thought about aspects of your kit, the underwear. In the winter there are well developed base layers that protect you from the elements but in the summers what’s underneath is often an afterthought. So just what underwear is the best underwear for hiking?
Review: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants
It is always hard to find the pair of hiking pants that are right for you. Do you need them for warmth, protection? Or maybe flexibility and stretch to add in some scrambling and climbing? There are a lot of options out there and I had the chance to test out the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants. Here are my thoughts on the versatile hiking pants.
La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX Review
When it comes to hiking in the wet seasons, it is important to have a versatile waterproof option that does just as well on dry terrain as it does on wet. That is where the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX comes in. It is a bit of a crossover between a hiking boot and a trail runner. It is waterproof and has the great traction of a boot with the comfort of a trail runner. I was sent a pair and had a chance to review them. Here are my thoughts.
Review: Osprey Talon 22 EF Backpack
One of the most important decisions before heading to the outdoors is to pick a backpack. It also may be one of the biggest investments you have when you start exploring and adventuring more. It is important to find a pack that fits your needs and has the versatility to do everything that you need. That is where the Osprey Talon 22 EF comes in. It is a versatile day pack that is available in the Extended Fit line from Osprey so it is available to even more body types. I was sent a pack to test out and here are my thoughts on the Osprey Talon.
First Steps, Embracing the Journey of Adventure
It is that time of year again. The blanket of snow is slowing melting away, leaving nothing but muddy trails beneath. At the same time the loose sweatshirts and puffy jackets are leaving, revealing the winter bodies that still haven’t melted away. The couch, blankets, and fires are replaced with long summer days and sunshine. For many, it is time to kick off the rust of the months long slumbers and back into the world of movement. It is time for the awkward first steps.
Fat Man Little Trail
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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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