Category Archives: Trail Thoughts

A Merry Thank You

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It’s been almost a year since Just Trails morphed from a dream to a reality and today we’d like to thank you! Those who have been with us from those first blog posts, those who have purchased our trail guides, offered us feedback, provided us gear to review, and encouraged us. Thanks for reading, thanks for sharing, thanks for hanging out with us on facebook, twitter, and pinterest and thanks for helping this small community to grow.

A special thank you to Code Geek, for turning our vision into an awesome website. And Dick Blust for bringing his backcountry navigation expertise to our site with his regular blog posts.

There are also several companies who have pitched in to give us gear to test and review who also deserve a huge thanks.

  • Ausangate Socks: Ausangate has won us over with their amazing hiking socks and great customer service. You can read about how awesome they are here.
  • Mountain Mama Maternity: Several months ago I sent Mountain Mama an email telling them about our new trail baby that’s expect to make it’s arrival in May. They sent me a pair of hiking pants and a mid-layer top to test and review. I was so surprised and so thankful.
  • 32 North and Stabilicers: On Veterans Day, 32 North offered a free pair of their high-quality traction Stabilicers to Vet’s. We took them up on their offer because we had been dying to test a pair of Stabilicers. So far we love them and you can expect a review later this winter.
  • Our Globo: We’re sold on Our Globo’s commitment to the environment and their commitment to high quality products. That’s why we’re fans of the kid’s Eco-Go Jacket.
  • Occasionally you can find us testing out gear for Seattle Backpackers Magazine. One of the best things about them is that they expect us to put every piece of gear that we try to the test to bring the outdoor community honest gear reviews. It really sets them apart. Most recently we reviewed the Light & Motion Solite 250, and we’re currently testing several more piece of gear.

And we have to send a thank you to our friends at Nalgene who stand by their product. Keen for the three pairs of toddlers shoes from the Playground Ready contest. Tubbs Snowshoes for the snowshoes from the Winter Wonderland contest. And, Sierra Trading Post, for sending us a copy of Andrew Skurka’s book, “The Ultimate Hiker’s Guide.”

Thanks for your support and Merry Christmas!

My Secret Bias Against Antelope

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Not an Antelope

This is so secret I didn’t even know about it.

I’m always on the lookout for wildlife. It’s one of the perks of my job and I like putting together some pictures and video of wildlife to share.

The other day I had just begun my journey home from a trail when I notice some antelope doing antelope things pretty close to me. I had a brief thought that I should take a couple pictures of them but immediately dismissed it. I just wasn’t interested.

Also not an Antelope

A few minutes later I began to wonder if I had ever taken a picture of an antelope and I couldn’t think of a single time where I had. Then I began to wonder if I secretly and subconsciously disliked antelope.

But then I realized that indifference is a better word.

I see them everywhere. They are like ground squirrels, I don’t feel bad about not taking pictures of them. But then I remembered taking pictures of deer. And what large animal is as common as deer? Antelope.

Once more, not an Antelope

It wasn’t long before I came across a few more antelope doing antelope things and I wondered again if I should get a picture. And I just passed them by. I’m just not interested.

I don’t understand it and I can’t explain it. I’m not the only one am I?

5 Ways to Hike Safely During Hunting Season

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Hunting season is in full swing here in Wyoming and let’s be honest, there are far more hunters than hikers on the mountain.

And that’s okay with us.

While we do take a few extra precautions when hiking during hunting season we don’t mind sharing beautiful Wyoming with hunters.

Here are a few tips for safe hiking during hunting season.

  • Be visible!  Hunting season is not a good time for neutral colored clothing so dig out your neon orange (or pink) hat from the 80′s and reminisce about how awesome jeans looked when they were tight-rolled. And don’t forget the retro 80′s flair for your 4-legged companion!
  • Make a little noise.  We aren’t always loud and vocal on the trail (unless we’re carrying a chatter-box of a toddler on our backs) but during hunting season it doesn’t hurt to make your presence known, especially if you see signs of hunters in the area.
  • Stick to established trails.  Sometimes it’s fun to get off the trails, but fall isn’t a good time for bushwhacking.  The good news is that if you’re looking for a fun hiking trail, you’re in the right place!
  • Find out where hunters like to hunt and then hike elsewhere.  Check with the local Game and Fish or the guy at the sporting goods store who sells hunting licenses, they are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to hunting information.
  • Learn the dates of the local hunting seasons so you know when to be a little bit more cautious.

The good news is that with a little bit of education and minimal effort hunters and hikers can safely coexist.

Why you should and shouldn’t hike in the rain.

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Do you hike in the rain? I’m not talking about when you are already out and it starts to rain. I’m also not talking about if you are confident that your rain gear will keep you and your stuff dry. I want to know if you will start your hike when it is already coming down or when rain is imminent?

Storm on the way.

We had rain now three days in a row here in Laramie and one of those days I was supposed to be out on a trail. I decided not to go and have been second guessing myself since. So here are the reasons I’ve come up with on why you should and shouldn’t start hiking in the rain.

Why you shouldn’t (in no particular order):

  • The trails are about to get wet, then muddy, then sloppy. This makes steep trails interesting at best and a nightmare at worst. Also it can cause damage to the trails (although this is much more so while biking than while hiking).
  • Can your electronic devices handle being wet. Most of us will have a phone and camera at least. And even though waterproofing options are out there, not many people use them. So is it worth the risk of getting an iPhone or a nice new digital camera wet?
  • You will get wet and then, probably, cold. Waterproof jackets and boots have come a long way. But I have not found one of either that can stand up to being soaked all day. On the one hand this can make for a great story about overcoming obstacles. On the other hand, for some, it can lead to getting sick or ruining the whole notion of playing outside.

Now for why you should at least think about it (also in no particular order):

  • It’s a great way to test out your rain gear. I do live in a dry climate so I don’t really get a chance to test out my waterproof shells and bags and other things very often.
  • There is some value in experiencing nature on its own terms. This one is probably a little out there, but I think being out in the rain allows you to see things you wouldn’t normally see and can help cleanse your mind.
  • This may be the only day you have to get out there and if you have the right gear and are mentally prepared there is no reason to let an opportunity slip.

So I won’t judge another person either way. For me, the fun starts to go away quickly when I’m wet but that may have a lot to do with bad memories from when I was in the Army. What is your preference on rainy days?

Do you use a checklist when you plan a hike?

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Backpack Explosion

A few months ago I was thinking about writing a blog post about what we pack in our backpacks. I figured that everyone would want to know how many sandwiches we carry and what’s in our first aid kit.

Then I realized that our packing list is a fluid and evolving document. When it comes to packing we start with a generic checklist and then ask ourselves the following questions:

  • What is the temperature and the forecasted temperature? Is it hot, cold, wet, dry, windy, snowy? What will the temperature differences be between the trailhead and the top of the mountain? What clothing and gear do we need to keep us warm, dry etc?
  • Who are we going with? Grandparents, kids, babies, toddlers, teenagers, people our own age? What is their fitness and experience level? Who is going to carry the babies and toddlers and what are we going to carry them in?
  • Where are we going to sleep? In a cabin, hut, tent, yurt? Are there beds or cots or do we pack air mattresses or camping pads?
  • What are we going to eat and how are we going to cook food or find water? Are we going to cook on a fire, stove, grill or stick to the jet boil? What are we going to use for fuel?
  • Are we car camping, backpacking, traveling fast and light or is there room for weight and luxuries (like a book)?

It seem’s simple, but putting a little bit of thought into planning and not relying on someone else’s checklist can make the difference between a great time on the trails and a not-so-great time on the trails.

Now, we’re curious. Do you use pre formatted checklists when planning an adventure? What questions do you ask yourself when packing?

 

Should we share unique places (and risk losing them)?

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We started Just Trails to show people the amazing places they can go and visit. And to make it as easy as possible for anyone to visit those places. But I feel compelled to say something about not ruining the scenery and history while exploring.

As a general rule, people should take only pictures and leave only foot prints. (I think I got that from the Leave No Trace website but I couldn’t find it when I went back to look) Speaking of leave no trace; for backpacking and camping, those principles are a no brainer and can be found on their website.

Think about it. You don’t really wan’t to know how many people your girlfriend slept with before you. It’s the exact same thing for your quiet secluded campsite. You want to believe you are the first human being to ever see that particular place and so is the person who comes after you.

But the thing that bothers me so much more than poor camping etiquette is when I find what would be an awesome old historic site in the middle of nowhere and it’s been wrecked. And not the kind of wrecked that winters above 10,000 feet will do, the kind that people do.

The excitement of visiting these places has a lot to do with imagining how the people lived and learning about their triumphs and struggles by studying and reflecting on what’s left behind. But if everything has been taken, or scrawled with graffiti, I can’t do that. I feel cheated and I want to get revenge on some selfish stranger who I will never meet.

By the way, damaging or removing anything from a historic site is against the law.

We aren’t going to stop sharing really cool places. We just expect that if you visit them you will leave everything like you found it, just like we did, because we can’t share it after its gone.

Also instead of getting all preachy I think I’ll just start putting pictures of lazy, careless, and selfish outdoor behavior on a facebook album and vent there.

3 reasons the single purpose GPS unit is here to stay.

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I have been looked down upon by certain people, friends included, for my loyalty to GPS units (currently a Garmin Montana 650). I have been told that my iPhone, or any other smartphone, can match the capabilities and performance of a GPS and I no longer have to buy and carry a separate gadget in the great outdoors.

I will readily admit that there are plenty of apps out there that turn any smart phone into a sweet GPS unit. I’ve played with them, use them occasionally, and have a great deal of respect for their capabilities. This is not about how smart phones won’t work, it is simply about why I still like the GPS better.

1. Batteries. Crack open the back of any GPS and you’ll see a place to insert good old AAs (or something similar). AAs are easy to buy, carry, store, use and make it very easy to extend the life of my GPS as long as I want. I know there are external chargers that you can bring (even solar powered ones) to recharge a phone but I haven’t found them to work all that well or be as convenient as replacing batteries. Also, run a phone out of battery and not only is your GPS gone but so is a very important communication tool in case you get into trouble. Plus you have to put a phone on airplane mode so it won’t suck its battery dry looking for a wireless signal.

2. Any GPS designed for outdoor recreation that is worth its salt will be waterproof and at least a little shock proof. For me this is not about kicking it into the middle of a lake. It’s about piece of mind knowing that I can keep it in an outside pocket during some rain or drop it and it will still work. Not so with my iPhone. There are companies that make rugged protectors for smartphones but no after market case is as good as a what comes designed into a device. Plus a broken phone would wreck my life up a whole lot more than a broken GPS.

3. A GPS unit is better suited to transferring waypoints, tracks, and routes to computers and other devices. This makes it easier to store, organize, edit and share those things with other GPS users. I have yet to find an app that does this as well as my Garmin and the free BaseCamp software on my computer.

So for me the phone GPS is like the screw driver on my leatherman multi-tool. It will do the job but if I have my choice I prefer the real deal.

4 Easy Recovery Yoga Poses For Hikers

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Have you ever finished a hike and wondered how to stretch out and relax some of those tight muscles?

Sometimes after a brutally fun day on the trails we need something more than just the typical arm, hip, quad, hamstring and calf stretches.

One of the cool things about yoga is it seems like several poses serve two purposes, they may be a balancing pose with a stretching component or a strengthening pose that also just happens to be a great stretch.

Nothing is better than a day on the trails followed by yoga.  Tree pose, child’s pose, happy baby and pigeon are 4 of my favorite “recovery” poses.

Click on the picture for a larger view.

When I do tree pose I think of it as a “reaching high” pose in addition to a balancing pose.  I try to lengthen my spine and stand tall, it feels good after carrying a kid up a mountain in a baby carrier.  Child’s pose is my favorite “reaching forward” pose, stretching out the back, shoulders and arms.  Happy baby and pigeon stretch and relax the legs, making them feel rejuvenated and ready for another hike.

Hiking and yoga, they are a perfect match.  Stay tuned because on Tuesday we’re going to talk balance and how a simple yoga practice can make a hiker much more sure-footed on the trails.

 

4 Easy Yoga Poses To Strengthen Hikers

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Yoga.  It’s not just for skinny vegans, it’s for beef-jerky eating hikers too.

Last winter I started practicing yoga at Laramie’s best yoga studio, Hot Power Yoga.  I was a total beginner but quickly discovered a surprising connection between my yoga practice and my ability to climb mountains.  There’s something about having a strong core, the rest of the body follows.

My 4 favorite yoga poses to build strength are  boat, plank, bridge and cobra.

Info graphics are cool but I recommend hitting up a local yoga studio, like Hot Power Yoga and learning from a real life trained yoga teacher.

And stay tuned…on Thursday we’re going to talk about a few great yoga poses to help hikers recover from a day on the mountain.