Off Trail Delights in the Rawah Wilderness
A three-day, mainly off-trail, backpacking weekend in the Rawah Wilderness of Colorado
Author: Paul Mags
Looping Around Lost Creek
There are certain areas in my ‘backyard’ that I return to ever year. A favorite local hike in the nearby foothills. A route that lets me stride in the fresh snow. And an area that beckons for my first backpacking Read More …
Hey, You, Get off my McLeod…and skiing in June!
A rare rainy weekend here in Colorado. The girlfriend and I wisely decided that maybe backpacking at 10k-11k when it is snowing and high 30s/low 40s may not be the best idea. (And up to half a foot of snow Read More …
Red Rocks – Colorado Style
At this time of the year, it is sometimes difficult to get in some backcountry jaunts. The high country is still very snowy for backpacking..but not really enough for extended skiing. Sure, the local foothills are nice..but I like to Read More …
Boulder Super Slam 2010
Every year my friends and I do what we call the Boulder Super Slam. A stroll of the Boulder foothills that is ~25 miles, 10k ft elevation gain and AYCE Indian food!!! Not many scenic photos because this hike is Read More …
Hiker Trash Going Vertical
The first part of Spring 2010 was learning the rudiments of climbing under the tutelage of my friends Mark and Kevin…. Some highlights are below. Here is the link to all the photos It started off with a knot/belay lesson Read More …
Winter Fun 2010
Not a lot of verbose trip reports for most of the winter…but man, did I do a LOT of skiing!!! Hut trips, ski tours and even some nice walk-abouts. You'll also see a certain German national who became a very Read More …
Open Letter to AT Thru-Hikers
With thru-hiking season starting in a few months, (and planning in full swing), thought I'd republish this article. It is something I wrote for 1999 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers. The thoughts can apply to any long journey, however.
Feeling the Magic – Arestua Hut
Four seasons ago was when I really started to get into backcountry skiing. I had dabbled a little bit in it when I first moved to Colorado back in 1999. I bought a pair of used rental skis and boots Read More …
Into the Icebox
There is no such thing as bad weather; just bad clothing. —Scandinavian saying A friend of mine just finished his contract. I do not plan starting a new job until after the First. Another friend is gainfully unemployed. In Boulder Read More …
Four Days in Abbey Country
My friend Markhamm proposed a trip to Utah prior to Thanksgiving. A chance to see one of the most gorgeous places in the American West, get in one last backpacking trip of the season and get in some needed outdoor Read More …
The Double By-Pass
There are some places I love see at least once a year. The Lost Creek Wilderness. A favorite hike in the local foothills. And this loop that goes over the Continental Divide twice. For those hoping to find a detailed Read More …
Autumn Aspen Ambling
"…Nature, who is superior to all style and ages, is now, with pensive face, composing her poem Autumn, with which no work no will be to be compared." —HDT This past Saturday was National Public Lands Day. Another day to Read More …
Beer Thirty – Copper to Frisco
One of my favorite hikes is what I call the Beer Thirty Hike. An approx ~14 mile stroll from Copper Mtn to Frisco mainly along the CT/CDT with a veering off the main trail to walk directly into Frisco for Read More …
This Side of Paradise
Sometimes the most memorable trips are ones of perfect weather, far reaching views and where the whole day seems to be done delight after another. This was not one of those trips. The hike for this past weekend, was to Read More …
San Juan Stroll
When I hiked the CDT in 2006, a series of major snowstorm hit the Colorado mountains in early and mid-September. Three feet of snow was at Vail Pass and people were skiing! I was in a snow storm near the Read More …
Canadian Jaunt
Originally, I had planned to hike Canada’s Great Divide Trail this past summer. For various reasons (personal, possible family issues, a dear friend being in town for his daughter’s medical reasons, starting a new relationship, not wanting to be gone Read More …
Alpine Lakes, Flowers and Campfires! Oh my!
For the past two years now, my good friend Nahum comes back to Colorado to work with colleagues still here at CU, see friends and to play in the Rockies that he loves so much. Part of the reason for Read More …