Skip to content
Menu

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Ramblings
    • Musings
    • Books and Media
    • Videos
    • From The Web
    • Thru Hikes, Long Walks, or Routes
      • My Alphabet Soup summary
      • 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
      • SEUG Circuit
      • A Walk Across New England
    • Other Outdoor Jaunts
      • Utah
      • Colorado
      • New Mexico
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Nebraska
      • New England
      • Nevada
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • South Dakota
      • Texas
      • Wyoming
    • Photos
    • PMags News
    • Press
  • Nuts and Bolts
    • New to the outdoors? Start here!
    • Getting Started
    • Quick Tips
    • Trip Planning
    • Quick and Dirty Guides
    • Food
    • Gear
      • All Gear Posts
      • Gear Reviews
      • Gear Quivers
      • Gear Lists
      • Budget Gear
      • What I’m Wearing
      • Clothing and related
      • Footwear
      • Packs
      • Shelters and related
      • Sleeping bags, quilts, and pads
      • Stoves, cooking, and related
      • Tools
      • Water containers
    • Road trip and car camping – gear and techniques
    • Winter trip reports, gear overviews, tips, and techniques
  • Subscribe by email
  • Write Me
  • About PMags.com
    • Who is Paul Mags?
    • About Joan West
      • Joan’s articles
Header Toggle
Facebook Twitter Feed Pinterest YouTube Instagram Reddit
PMags.com
Facebook Twitter Feed Pinterest YouTube Instagram Reddit
Home »RamblingsPage 2

Solo on the plateau

Posted onMay 6, 2026AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Starting another chapter soon, so I took a few days for a solo walkabout in canyon country after my WFR recert. Three days of backpacking with a quiet camp on the canyon rim proved memorable. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Thinking of the last journey

Posted onMay 5, 2026May 6, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

When the weather shut down our original plan, we shifted to a canyon we hadn’t seen and a float on the Gunnison. It worked out, but the lower flows and changing conditions echo a larger reality across the Colorado Plateau. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsColorado, packrafting

Ultralight as an auto hobby

Posted onApril 27, 2026July 2, 2026AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Ultralight hobbyists reminds me classic car aficionados. Some thoughts. Read More …

CategoriesGear, MusingsTagsconsumerism

Off-Piste – Brother 2170w Printer (2009 vintage)

Posted onApril 27, 2026April 27, 2026AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Another off-piste article; this time about our circa 2009 Brother printer. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagselectronics, off-piste

Backpacking and Car camping – Two tools in the timebank kit

Posted onApril 20, 2026April 20, 2026AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

We often treat backpacking and car camping as separate categories. They’re not. They’re two tools that add to the overall time outside. Some thoughts. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagscar camping

Two days meandering near Moab

Posted onApril 20, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Local hikes near our Moab home. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsutah

Gear Review – Hywell Merino Wool Boot Socks

Posted onApril 19, 2026AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

An alternative sock to Darn Tough that does not quite work well for trail runners. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsclothing, gear, gear review, socks

Walking in Wisconsin

Posted onApril 9, 2026June 9, 2026AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Some wanderings in Wisconsin over Easter Week. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsWisconsin

Among the Pueblitos

Posted onApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A weekend in the Land of Enchantment with Holly and Dan. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsNew Mexico

Western Snap shirts vs. Sun Hoodies- Hot and Dry Weather

Posted onMarch 24, 2026May 6, 2026AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

I’ve tried several sun hoodies over the years. I still find my poly-cotton Western snap shirt works better in hot, dry weather. Here’s why. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, sun protection

Higher up, a little early

Posted onMarch 24, 2026March 24, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A trip to an area we usually see in May and not March. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

More local hiking – Moab in March

Posted onMarch 22, 2026March 22, 2026AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Some local hiking others parts our life take precedence. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Some volunteering and camping

Posted onMarch 17, 2026March 17, 2026AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Some volunteering and camping locally. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

The Gilded Age, a Catholic Nun, and Public Lands

Posted onMarch 5, 2026March 5, 2026AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Public lands once felt like places anyone could enter with a pair of boots and a bit of curiosity. Today they feel increasingly exclusive. A lesson from a Rhode Island nun still lingers. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagspublic lands

Local jaunts in 3D

Posted onMarch 4, 2026March 8, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Three dimensional hiking near home. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

One Year Review – OYGSieg Sun Hoodie

Posted onFebruary 23, 2026February 23, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A look at some effective sun hoodies for cool to cold weather use. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbackpacking, budget gear, clothing, gear, gear review, hiking, shirt, sun protection

A bit of winter in Moab

Posted onFebruary 23, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A walk on a late winters’ day. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Thoughts on two years with the National Park Service

Posted onFebruary 22, 2026February 22, 2026AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Thoughts on two years balancing my trade with my passion at the National Park Service, and on still processing the decision to leave. Read More …

CategoriesMusings, PMags NewsTagswork life balance

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Virtual tip jar

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!
  • REI: Outlet 50% off deals
  • REI: Official Coupons and Rebates page
  • REI: Used Gear Store

PMags Instagram

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. "
"So far this year, 35,247 fires have burned more than 2.9 million acres nationwide. " -National Interagency Fire Center
The CDT forms the backbone of the continent. The Long Trail makes a classic East Coast walk. Brett Tucker's routes require some advanced skills. My DIY routes don't even have schwag.
A couple of days at the edge of the San Juans. Storms moving in had us trading backpacks for a car camping trip, but we still wandered to the edge of treeline. We also settled in with hot drinks while wearing puffies, a welcome contrast to the sweltering heat in Moab earlier in the week.
Some graupel in the San Juans. From @ramblinghemlock

PMags Popular Posts

  • Popular
  • Comments
  • Latest
  • Today Week Month All
  • The Colorado Trail “End to End” Guide The Colorado Trail “End to End" Guide
  • Backpacking Loops – Mags Favorites Backpacking Loops – Mags Favorites
  • The Frugal Backpacker – The $300 Gear Challenge The Frugal Backpacker - The $300 Gear Challenge
  • PCT trail marker A Quick and Dirty Guide to The Pacific Crest Trail
  • A Quick and Dirty CDT Guide A Quick and Dirty CDT Guide
  • Stove Comparison – Real World Use Stove Comparison – Real World Use
  • Talus vs. Scree – What is the difference? Talus vs. Scree - What is the difference?
  • Ground Cloths : A quick overview Ground Cloths : A quick overview
  • Build a gear sled the dirt bagger way Build a gear sled the dirt bagger way
  • From GIS Sleepings Pads - A grounded view
  • Gear Review – Hywell Merino Wool Socks 2.0 Gear Review – Hywell Merino Wool Socks 2.0
  • Up in the smoke Up in the smoke
  • There’s An App for That: 2026 Edition There’s An App for That: 2026 Edition
  • The forest is on fire The forest is on fire
  • Edge of the San Juans Edge of the San Juans
  • Communication Technology Options: Seven Years Later Communication Technology Options: Seven Years Later
  • More time in our local mountains More time in our local mountains
  • Building Community with Joan West Building Community with Joan West
  • Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026 Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026
  • Up in our local mountains Up in our local mountains
  • Today Week Month All
  • Avenza: Enshittified. Sigh. Avenza: Enshittified. Sigh.
  • Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026 Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026
Ajax spinner

Archives

Recent Comments

  • Paul Mags on Avenza: Enshittified. Sigh.
  • Jay on Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026
  • Misti on Avenza: Enshittified. Sigh.
  • Paul Mags on There’s An App for That: 2026 Edition
  • Roger Moore on There’s An App for That: 2026 Edition

Disclosure: This website may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products to which I link. These sites include Amazon, REI, Moose Jaw, Gaia GPS, Six Moon Designs, Squak Mountain Co, and ULA Equipment. There is no additional fee for purchasing items through these links.

 

© 2026 - PMags.com - All Rights Reserved -Privacy Policy
Scroll Up
  • Home
  • Ramblings
    • Musings
    • Books and Media
    • Videos
    • From The Web
    • Thru Hikes, Long Walks, or Routes
      • My Alphabet Soup summary
      • 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
      • SEUG Circuit
      • A Walk Across New England
    • Other Outdoor Jaunts
      • Utah
      • Colorado
      • New Mexico
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Nebraska
      • New England
      • Nevada
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • South Dakota
      • Texas
      • Wyoming
    • Photos
    • PMags News
    • Press
  • Nuts and Bolts
    • New to the outdoors? Start here!
    • Getting Started
    • Quick Tips
    • Trip Planning
    • Quick and Dirty Guides
    • Food
    • Gear
      • All Gear Posts
      • Gear Reviews
      • Gear Quivers
      • Gear Lists
      • Budget Gear
      • What I’m Wearing
      • Clothing and related
      • Footwear
      • Packs
      • Shelters and related
      • Sleeping bags, quilts, and pads
      • Stoves, cooking, and related
      • Tools
      • Water containers
    • Road trip and car camping – gear and techniques
    • Winter trip reports, gear overviews, tips, and techniques
  • Subscribe by email
  • Write Me
  • About PMags.com
    • Who is Paul Mags?
    • About Joan West
      • Joan’s articles

Subscribe to PMags.com

  • Receive an email notification of new posts direct to your inbox once a week.
  • Old school text email digest
  • It is easy!

ClickHereButton

×