Nature Conservancy’s Independence Creek Preserve – Open Weekend March 18-20
The Nature Conservancy’s Independence Creek Preserve is hosting an open preserve weekend March 18-20th. "The public is invited to camp, swim in the lakes, hike, picnic, catch-and-release fishing, explore the creek, bird watch and other activities at their leisure. Go and enjoy the onset of spring amid the beauty of a natural oasis in the wilds of West Texas. Independence Creek Independence Creek is a major tributary of the Pecos river. Fed by the Caroline Spring the creek flows
Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico – Crater Rim Hike
Capulin Volcano National Monument is located in the High Plains of New Mexico in the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field. While driving home from Colorado my family and I stopped in to see this once active volcano and do some light hiking. From the visitor center you can drive up the 2 mile long paved road to the lower volcano rim. From there two paved hiking trails invite you to explore the volcano’s crater.At the entrance to Capulin Volcano National Monument When I
Practice Map and Compass skills with Cardinal Points’ Free Desktop App
Learning how to use a map and compass is an invaluable skill. Sometimes different compass techniques can be confusing and easy to mix up in your head. For instance when taking a magnetic barring do you line the orienting arrow with the magnetic needle or with the grid lines on the map? When trying to follow a bearing in fog do you align the orienting arrow with the grid lines or is it the magnetic needle. In both cases it
Section 16 Palmer Loop Trail – Colorado Springs, Colorado
While in Colorado Springs for a work related conference I managed to sneak off one morning to do a little hiking. Among the foothills of Pikes Peak is a wonderful little county trail. Section 16 or the Palmer Loop is six mile trail that offers a little bit of everything. Great views of Garden of the gods, a (frozen) mountain stream, and outstanding views of Colorado’s Front Range.Colorado's Front Range glowing red in the morning sun.I woke up early and
Garden of the gods – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Last week my family and I were in Colorado Springs for a work related conference. We took an extra day to sight see around town. No trip to Colorado springs is complete, in my opinion, without a stop at Garden of the gods. Garden of the gods is a free city park featuring huge red vertical sandstone formations. The formations can be seen from almost anywhere in the city and are an amazing beautiful natural formation.Garden of the gods
Christmas Tree Hunt – Davis Mountain Preserve – Texas
I originally wrote this piece for the Nature Conservancy of Texas. You can view it there on their website Nature.org/Texas I have republished it here in accordance with our agreement.Tradition is important in my family, especially around the holidays. Weekend before last my family and I started a new tradition. We woke up early and headed down to The Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountain Preserve to take part in their annual Christmas tree hunt.Madera Canyon Road leading up to Mount LivermoreEach
Saline Bayou Hiking Trail – Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana
While staying with some family in Louisiana my daughter and I snuck off to do a little hiking.Forest Service Road 513 on the way to the trail We drove down to Kisatchie National Forest to the Saline Bayou Hiking Trail. The trail follows the banks of the Saline Scenic River for three miles from Forest Service Road 513 to 507. We parked our car at the Cloud Crossing Recreation Area and started down the trail.Saline Bayou Hiking TrailIn the light fog
Texas Perimeter Hike – The Long Distance Trail You Never Heard Of!
Long distance hikers have heard of trails like the Appalachian Trail or the Continental Divide Trail
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Seasonal Employment – Get Paid to Hike!
Photo by: Mike Swanson, Appalachian Trail ConservancyHow many of us have ever dreamed of the perfect outdoor job? Getting paid to hike, camp, or backpack seems too good to be true. But for the right person it could be a dream come true. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is currently accepting application for 2011 Rdigerunners and Caretakes. Ridgerunners are assigned to hike specific sections of the A.T., while Caretakers remain at specific overnight sites.According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC): ATC
Last Chance to get a Davis Mountain Preserve Christmas Tree
This coming Saturday (December 11th) is the last chance to get a real Texas grown Christmas tree from The Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountain Preserve. Every year the Davis Mountain Preserve opens the property to the public for their annual Christmas Tree Hunt. During this time the public is encouraged to come and select a naturally growing tree from the high alpine forest of the Davis Mountains. There are sure to be lots of good Christmas Trees growing naturally at the