Observations of a fire lookout
The writers Edward Abbey, Gary Snyder and Norman McLean all staffed high-elevation fire lookouts in the West—their experiences rich fuel for their work. But Jack Kerouac’s reaction makes…
MoreOld fire lookout towers find renewed purpose
There’s a small wooden cabin at the top of Northwest Peak, a few miles from Montana’s borders with Idaho and…
MoreVolunteers power the Colorado Trail
The Colorado Trail, an iconic 567-mile high-elevation trail that crosses the Rockies, owes its existence largely to Gudy Gaskill, a…
Below The Three Apostles, Colorado Trail Jeff Miller and Dave Marston, Matt Smith Photo
MoreGrumpy talk on the trail
I suppose it’s the human thing on a hiking trail to acknowledge one another when passing. But on a well-used…
MoreBefore you sleep on the ground, read this
What fun: You’re going on a guided outdoor trip. As you get ready, here are some tips from actual guides…
Backpackers in the White Goat Wilderness, Alberta, Canada
MoreBuilding a huge park is anything but easy
Marc Katz is a retired entrepreneur who lives part-time in Durango, Colorado, a town of 19,000 people who all seem…
MoreA candy bar fueled the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
If you don’t know much about the Iron Horse bike race that begins in the town of Durango in southwestern…
MoreSki bum culture hits reality
Nearly two decades ago, I moved to the mountains to be a ski bum, chasing snow. I was a stereotype—an…
Robson Hatsukami Morgan, via Unsplash
MoreThe West has too many visiting hunters
Hunting may be losing popularity nationally, but in the West the number of hunters is climbing. According to the U.S….
Dan Vigueria, Paonia, Colorado, Grizzly Longbows LLC
MoreThere’s such a thing as trail etiquette
The uppermost switchback on the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park is eight feet wide. Yet the last…
Bright Angel Trail, NPS/Ty Karlovetz
MoreToo many tourists follow a leader
A spectacular picture recently appeared on social media of a young lady in Arizona. She was poised on the edge…
spencer backman, via unsplash
MoreRestoring the land can feel a lot like fun
Driving back to Colorado State University with a van full of students after a day of working to heal some…
Autumn at a cattle ranch in Colorado near Ridgway – County Road 12, Craig Zerbe Photo
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