A sample hike from the Quick and Dirty Hiking Guides: 12 Classic Hikes in Colorado. This sample hike for downloading details the Devil's Thumb Loop. Read More ...

Continue reading Quick and Dirty Hiking Guides: Devils Thumb sampler at PMags.com.

Introducing the first two eBooks in the "Quick and Dirty" Hiking Guides co-authored with Cam Honan of The Hiking Life. Read More ...

Continue reading Introducing the Quick and Dirty Hiking Guides at PMags.com.

An off-trail  twist on a classic Colorado backpacking loop. Read More ...

Continue reading Pawnee – Buchanan : Off-trail option at PMags.com.

Some more backpacking loop ideas for Colorado in the Denver and Boulder area. Read More ...

Continue reading Five more Colorado backpacking loops at PMags.com.

Some favorite backpacking loops in the Denver - Boulder area of Colorado. Read More ...

Continue reading Backpacking Loops – Mags Favorites at PMags.com.

The Indian Peaks Wilderness are the mountains I’ve always considered to be in my backyard. With roughly an hour’s drive, I am at a  trailhead that brings me to the Continental Divide. Glacier can be seen, wildflowers are blooming, and the mountains always impress.

I considers these my home mountains and always look forward to spending time in them.

D-low and I had planned a quick backpacking weekend.  Nothing too strenuous (about 12 MPD), not too far of a drive and would offer great scenery.  The Devil’s Thumb loop came to mind.

We pulled up to the Fourth of July TH to see the usual hordes of crowds. No matter…. We knew once we were past the magical five mile mark, the day hikers would cease and we’d be among the few, if any, other backpackers out. The time commitment of even a weekend backpacking trips makes the deeper backcountry an almost private treasure.

Continue reading Sometimes High and Sometimes Lonesome – Devil’s Thumb Loop, Indian Peaks Wilderness at PMags.com.

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 description of the gear I took during the shoulder season hiking…go elsewhere. Backpacking is not about what gear you take, what titanium widget works best or if I footnote my gear choices with the proper attributes from the gear manufacturer. I just hike with the gear that I know works for me.

(OK..I did take some apple brandy. Made in New Jersey. One of the oldest distillers in the county! That’s MY kind of thorough research. I am qualified to endorse it because I think it tastes good.. )

Backpacking is about sights seen. Laughs shared. And perhaps a nice, warm campfire at night with some friends.

And on this weekend, I had all of those experiences in spades.

Continue reading The Double By-Pass at PMags.com.