Backpacking can be a fun method of camping and hiking all in one trip. However, it can be daunting for beginners, even experienced campers, as it's a very different experience. You must carry all your gear, so it's important to prepare everything - gear, food, and water - ahead of time to ensure your first backpacking trip goes smoothly. Additionally, it's crucial to practice leave-no-trace principles while on the trail.

I love hiking, especially in the Rocky Mountains of the areas surrounding Durango, CO. It is such a rewarding activity and I LOVE being outdoors, in the sun and seeing all of the plants and wildlife. It just makes me so happy to be outdoors exploring the wilderness. Not only is it a rewarding experience, there are many benefits of hiking as well.

The days are warmer after winter, and it feels more like spring! This gets me so excited to spend some time outside. I am a huge homebody, so I often tend to stay home, especially in the winter; I wouldn't say I like going anywhere when it’s cold. I am always so excited to get outside when it starts getting warm outside.

Seasonal depression is a real thing. My whole mood changes when I get some warm weather and sunlight. So as it gets warmer, I automatically think about what I can do for activities outdoors.

In the springtime, it is important to research the trail and be aware of the weather. It can rain most afternoons in the Rocky Mountains, so it is important to ensure you are always prepared.

The weather can be cooler n the Rocky Mountains and at higher elevations in the spring. Afternoon showers are expected in throughout the spring and summer. But since it is cooler in the spring, you may end up cold and miserable if you’re not prepared for cold weather. No one wants that. So being prepared for spring hiking is a must.

What is backpacking? It is a long hiking trip in which you carry enough gear to set up camp for a few nights as you complete your long hike. What essential products do you need for your long hiking trip to sleep in the woods? Read more to find out my recommendations!

As my last few posts have stated, I LOVE hiking and backpacking. I also love to make sure I am prepared for my hiking trips. I always have the 10 essentials with me at all times. These necessities may be different for each person, but the basics will be the same for everyone. I will share what I personally bring with me in my day pack and why I choose these specific items.

I love hiking. I moved from Denver, CO to Durango, CO, a small mountain town about six hours southwest of Denver. I loved all of the many opportunities that are available for hiking. There are so many different hiking trails in town. Even access to a 16-mile trail right outside my home. In addition, there are so many nearby towns with hiking trails just a short drive away. I love having the opportunity to go hiking as often as we possibly can. So there are several things that you may need to know to be prepared for hiking during the spring.

It is finally MAY! Which means warmer weather and hiking during the weekends. It snows quite a bit in Durango, CO, and even more in the surrounding mountains. So as the snow melts during the spring, the weather and terrain can be unpredictable. Each year may differ as to how much snow we get, so ensuring you are prepared with your hiking attire is super important. So here are my go-to recommendations for what I like to wear during the spring when I go hiking.

Do you ever feel extra down and lethargic during the winter months, when you’re staying inside most often? This can be considered a form of seasonal depression. This may or may not even affect every person and often affects those who already suffer from other mental disorders. The time indoors and shorter amount of sunlight will typically add to already existing mental conditions. Symptoms include increased depression during specific times of the year.

The sense of accomplishment you feel for completing a sunrise hike is so great. Getting up early to hike up a mountain in the dark can be very rewarding when getting to the top just as it begins to get lighter and you feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. The colors in the sky begins to light up and colors begin to change. You see the yellows and golds mixed with pinks and purples on the horizon as the sun slowly begins to appear lighting up the sky even more. The colors change even more becoming more vibrant and the beauty makes the dark hike even more worth it

Completing a sunrise hike can be incredibly rewarding. Watching the sky change colors and feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin is a beautiful experience. If you're visiting Durango, Colorado, here are some hikes to plan for a stunning sunrise view. Even if you're not a morning person, you might find it surprisingly pleasant.

Taking your dog on a hike is an excellent way for you and your dog to get some activity in. Most dogs love being outside, and I know my dog does. Miss Lyla LOVES being outside. I do not have a yard to run around in, but we go on walks and lots of hikes to allow her to get her exercise in. Here are some tips for hiking safely with your dog.

10 essentials are an important safety tool when hiking or backpacking and could be the thing that saves your life.

Black bears are commonly sighted in the Rocky Mountains. It is common to see bears around small mountain towns like Durango, CO, where I live. So, learning bear safety is essential, especially when backpacking or hiking in bear country. Here is what you NEED to know to stay safe while backpacking or hiking.

Providing a unique experience, backpacking allows you to hike for a given amount of miles each day, camping in a different place each night. It’s essential to research backpacking so you can be prepared. No amount of research is a substitute for a good old-fashioned experience, so joining a seasoned backpacker on a short trail for your first trip may be a brilliant and safe idea.

The Colorado Trail is a 567 mile trail traveling from Waterton Canyon, just south of Denver, and finishing at Junction Creek in Durango, CO. The Trail passes through six National Forests, six Wilderness areas, traverses five major rivers and goes through eight of the states mountain ranges. Most of the trail averages at 10,300 ft in elevation with the highest point at around 13,271 ft, just below Coney Summit at 13,334 ft. The Colorado Trail was founded by Gudy Gaskill in 1974, the trail was endorsed by the U.S Forest Service, and developed by volunteers worked. The trail wasn’t fully completed until 1988.

Springtime in Durango can be very pleasant during the day but cold at night, especially if you do not prepare for frigid cold weather, especially at higher elevations. It can result in a trip that ends early. This was the case when my family and I went on a backpacking trip in mid-May of 2020.