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Home »RamblingsPage 16

Wildflowers on the mesa

Posted onJune 4, 2023June 4, 2023AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Just a local stoll. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Gear review – Sunblesa H11 headlamp, Gen 2

Posted onJune 1, 2023June 4, 2023AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

A headlamp very similar to the classic 2017 Nitecore Nu25 that’s slightly lighter with an intriguing greenlight setting. Updated for Gen two in May 2023. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear, gear review, lights

A look – Boots McFarland -20 Years on the Trail!

Posted onMay 30, 2023May 30, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Looking at ” Boots McFarland -20 Years on the Trail!” I think of the book as backpacking comfort food. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and MediaTagsbooks, Boots McFarland

Gear review: Salomon X Ultra 4 Low Hiking Shoes

Posted onMay 25, 2023April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags11 Comments

A look at the Salomon X Ultra 4 low hiking shoes. I like these shoes, but don’t love them. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsfootwear, gear, gear review, review

On the South East Utah Group (SEUG) Circuit

Posted onMay 24, 2023April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

My experiences walking and packrafting ~250 miles connecting the four NPS units and the lands in between of the South East Utah Group (SEUG). Read More …

CategoriesLong WalksTagspackrafting, SEUG Circuit, utah

North of the canyon

Posted onMay 5, 2023October 17, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Two nights camping out in another obscure neck of the high desert. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

The SEUG Circuit

Posted onMay 2, 2023May 25, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Here’s an ~250-mile route I plan to paddle and hike before I start a new position in June. Read More …

CategoriesLong WalksTagsSEUG Circuit, utah

An overlook – N1-B Mukluks

Posted onApril 27, 2023April 28, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Budget footwear for cool to cold and dry conditions when in camp. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, footwear, gear review, surplus, winter

Rim top wanderings

Posted onApril 26, 2023May 26, 2023AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Hiking and camping along the canyon rims. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Some guests and some backpacking

Posted onApril 23, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

We had some guests over and then went backpacking after showing some of the sites. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Gear Review : Montbell Merino Wool Plus Light Hoodie

Posted onApril 19, 2023May 26, 2023AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A look at the Montbell hoodie that works very well for me as a cold to cool weather top but is too warm for me once the mercury hits ~65F. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsclothing, gear review, montbell, sun protection

Stewardship Spotlight

Posted onApril 18, 2023January 30, 2026AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

The SHPO office did a spotlight article on the site stewarding volunteer work we perform. Read More …

CategoriesPressTagsutah, volunteer

Showing the local scenery

Posted onApril 7, 2023April 7, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Spending some time with some dear friends from Boulder. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act – Boon or bust?

Posted onApril 6, 2023AuthorPaul Mags9 Comments

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act seems promising. But I see many loopholes potentially exploited for financial interests. Or, business as usual. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsNational Parks, Wildness

Gear Review – Nitecore NU43 headlamp

Posted onApril 5, 2023April 7, 2023AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A look at a bright, long-lasting, and high-powered headlamp. Best for climbing, camping, car emergencies, and potential SAR use. Perhaps not backpacking. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear, gear review, lights

Wandering to and fro

Posted onApril 2, 2023AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Hiking and camping with some friends before they set forth on another opportunity. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Camping, hiking, and post-COVID recovery

Posted onMarch 21, 2023March 21, 2023AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A couple of weekends of hiking, camping, and ambling as Joan continues to get better. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Another place in between

Posted onMarch 8, 2023March 8, 2023AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

With Joan feeling better but still not 100%, we went to a quiet place between other, more well-known sites. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

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A Quick Guide to Moab

The Squak – A readily available, $60, active-focused grid fleece hoodie from a Utah-based company. Read the review.

Women’s | Men’s | Children’s   

The Squak Camp Dress 

One of Joan’s favorites!

The Squak Alpha Fleece 

                                                                    

– 15% off coupon = PMAGS-SQUAK                                                                                                      

  • REI: Shop Deal of the Day at REI Garage!
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Joan and I hosted some friends this past week. We gave them the classic tour, starting with an early morning visit to the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park. While Joan attended a meeting, I played tour guide a bit for other parts of the park. That afternoon, we headed to the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park to take in the sweeping views across the Colorado Plateau. Today? We escaped to our local mountains, looking down at the desert floor far below.
Not a good year for backpacking in the Abajos or the San Juans, but our local mountains still offer some good opportunities for camping and hiking. And only an hour away. With @ramblinghemlock
The once and future Bears Ears.
@ramblinghemlock and I went to some local(ish) mountains to avoid the fires and smoke in our usual places.
A hike to our local mountains did not go quite as planned. With an AQI of 176 in Moab due to the fires in our corner of the world, we sought refuge in the mountains.
"Effective today, June 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM, all Forest Service lands, roads, and trails within the Monticello Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest (San Juan County, Utah) are temporarily closed due to the Babylon Fire. "

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      • Vermont’s Long Trail
      • Appalachian Trail
      • Pacific Crest Trail
      • Colorado Trail
      • Continental Divide Trail
      • Ring The Peak Trail (Pike’s Peak)
      • Benton Mackaye Trail
      • Tahoe Rim Trail
      • Uinta Highline Trail
      • Collegiate Loop
      • A Walk Across Southern Utah
      • Great Divide Trail (Canada)
      • The Northern New Mexico Loop
      • Grand – Moab Route
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