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Fat Man Little Trail
2024 Spring/Summer Hiking Gear Suggestions
I have been lucky enough to test a lot of hiking gear over the last couple of years. Each time I head out I am usually testing something but there is some gear that I like to wear when I’m just hiking for me. I figured it was time to put a list together of the gear I use most often. Here is my 1st annual 2024 Spring/Summer Hiking Must Haves.
Review: Outdoor Research Deviator Hoodie
Everyone needs that one go-to hoodie to keep in the pack for when the morning frost takes a little too long to burn off. The Outdoor Research Deviator Hoodie works great as that option but is also a versatile option that works as a mid layer in the winter or a top layer in the spring or fall. Here is my detailed review of the Outdoor Research Deviator Hoodie.
Review: Royal Robbins Alpine MTN Pro Winter Pant
When it comes to hiking in the winter, gear makes a huge difference. The wrong pair of pants can take your trip from a wonderful walk in the snowy woods, to a freezing march of misery. That is why I was so excited to try out the new Royal Robbin Alpine MTN Pro Winter Pant. This was my first experience with Royal Robbins pants but have liked their shirts in the past. Here is a look at my review of the Royal Robbin Alpine MTN Pro Winter pant.
Black Bear Trail at Mancos State Park
Mancos State Park is a little gem in southwestern Colorado. It is home to Jackson Gulch Reservoir. There is a boat launch, camping sites, fishing, biking, and horseback riding, is dog-friendly and has over five miles of hiking trails. It was my first visit to the park and I really enjoyed the views and had a very enjoyable time hiking the Black Bear Trail at Mancos State Park.
Chavalo’s Mexican Restaurant – Mancos
If you find yourself in Mancos, Colorado, possibly driving between Durango and Cortez, make sure to stop and enjoy the town a bit. It is really nice, has a state park and some really good restaurants. One of those is Chavalo’s Mexican Restaurant. Located just off of 160 in the heart of the town. Chavalo’s is open from 10 am to 9 pm everyday.
Review: Mountain Equipment Lumiko Hooded Jacket
As the days get a bit longer and the winter turns from spring and summer, it is always important to have a lightweight hoody in your pack. The temps can swing and the trails seem to get longer so it is important to have a versatile jacket that is good for multiple conditions. I was sent the Mountain Equipment Lumiko Hooded Jacket to put it to the test. Here is my review.
San Juan Cafe – Mexican Hat, Utah
After a long day hiking around the Natural Bridges National Monument, I decided to pop over to Mexican Hat, Utah for some food. The drive includes a white knuckle switchback down the dirt mountain path that is Utah 261 but eventually I found my way into Mexican Hat and to the San Juan Cafe.
Review: Scarpa Moraine Mid Cut Hiker
One of the most important pieces of gear for any hiker or outdoor lover is a good pair of footwear. While shirts can be changed, footwear will typically be with you for hundreds of miles of trail and backcountry adventure. That makes picking the right footwear crucial. I was recently sent a pair of the Scarpa Moraine Mid Cut Hiker to test out. This is a waterproof hiking shoe that I put through its paces. Here is a look at what I liked and didn’t like about the Moraine.
Review: Outdoor Vitals Nebo Windbreaker
Whether you hike in the high country and mountain passes or through the plains and prairies, there is one thing that is a must have in a pack, a windbreaker. Outdoor Vitals has come up with an ultralight version, the Nebo Windbreaker. I took this lightweight piece through its paces in the mountains and woods of Colorado. Here are my thoughts and review of the Outdoor Vitals Nebo Windbreaker.
Lost Compass
Every adventurer knows how important the basics are. A knife, shelter, clothes, map and of course the compass. The compass gets overlooked in this day of technology. GPS mapping has replaced the paper maps and the phones and watches we all wear typically have some form of compass ability. The traditional compass hasn’t changed too much. Just solidly pointing north. Showing the traveler the way to go. Ensuring they don’t get lost. The compass can’t take you down the path but it sure can point the way.
Review: Appalachian Gear All-Paca Hoodie
In this world of high tech fabrics sometimes its nice to go back to the basics. Alpaca were domesticated around 5,000 years and played a large part in the culture of the pre and Inca people. Today the wool is used for many things, including the Appalachian Gear All-Paca Hoodie. This is my first time trying out the material so I was excited to see how it felt and held up. I asked my friend and reviewer Brooke along to help out as well as we review the All-Paca Hoodie.
Colorado’s First Outside Festival
Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural Outside Festival to be held in Denver Saturday 1st and 2nd. The new festival is bringing the best of outdoors, a film festival and top tier musical acts to Denver’s Civic Center park. A perfect way to kick off the summer for Colorado’s outdoor lovers!
Natural Bridges: Owachomo Bridge Hike
Owachomo Bridge at Natural Bridges National Monument. Natural Bridges National Monument is a really cool area located in southern Utah. It pretty far off the beaten path, and a bit isolated but its beauty is right up there with Arches National Park. Just in a smaller version with less people! The third and final bridge on the loop is Owachomo Bridge. According to the National Park Services handouts, Owachomo Bridge is 106 feet tall and spans a length of 180 feet. Despite the length, it is relatively narrow at only 27 feet wide! Of the three bridges at National Bridges National Monument, Owachomo Bridge is the easiest to get to and only a half mile round trip!
Natural Bridges: Hiking to Kachina Bridge
Natural Bridges National Monument is a really cool area located in southern Utah. It pretty far off the beaten path, and a bit isolated but its beauty is right up there with Arches National Park. Just in a smaller version with less people! The second bridge that is available at the park is Kachina Bridge. Hiking to Kachina Bridge is a moderately challenging hike to a beautiful 210 foot wide by 210 foot tall bridge!
Natural Bridges: Hiking to Sipapu Bridge
Hiking to Sipapu Bridge at Natural Bridges National Monument. Natural Bridges National Monument is a really cool area located in southern Utah. It pretty far off the beaten path, and a bit isolated but its beauty is right up there with Arches National Park. Just in a smaller version with less people! The park has a few bridges that are accessible by trail and the first one that you will come to is Sipapu Bridge. The hike to Sipapu Bridge is short but is surprisingly challenging but the views you are rewarded with are worth the effort.
The Blanket of Winter
Still. Silent. Soft. The snow stretches across the duff. Suffocating the woods with a frigid finger of frost. Crystal clear ice wrapping each branch of every tree in an arctic cocoon. The needles frosted in freshly fallen flakes. The late season sun barely completes an arch across the sky. Winter has settled in like a weighted blanket on the forest floor. Providing a beautiful cover on the lively grounds of summer and rendering them still, silent and soft.
Product Review: Osprey Sportlite EF
There are more people on the trails these days and that means more body types. Bigger folks have been out wearing gear that didn’t fit exactly right. I know. I was one of them. Osprey has put together a line of packs to help more people be comfortable on the trails. The Sportlite EF is one of these packs. The Sportlite EF is marketed to the biking community. However, I have been using it to hike for the last few months with good results. Here is my Osprey Sportlite EF Backpack Review.
Product Review: Oboz Ousel Hiking Shoes
When it comes to hiking, few items are more important than a good pair of shoes. The shoes provide the traction over the rough terrain, protect your feet from the jagged rocks and hopefully keep you dry! Nothing makes or breaks a hike faster than the hiking shoe. That is why we were so excited to try out the Oboz Ousel Hiking Shoes. They are only made for women so I had to bring in my friend Brooke to help me out with this product review! Brooke put the Ousel through its paces. She tested it out and wrote this review of her thoughts.
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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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