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

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

A quick overnight backpacking trip on a Front Range classic – The Pawnee-Buchanan Loop in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

I have been in the Boulder, CO area for nearly 15 years now.

At this point, I have done many of the hikes, skis, and backpacking trips avail in this area.

Though I always love do something new, certain areas are always nice to do again.

So when d-low invited me along for one of his rare weekend get-a-ways, I readily agreed for the chance to do the Pawnee-Buchanan loop.

Joining us for this trip would be our good friend Makrhamm.

We started off at 8am at the Brainard Lake TH where it was already busy. We literally snagged the last spot at the Mitchell Lake TH.

After shouldering our packs, we quickly made our way up to Long Lake.

We made our way along the nicely graded trail and quickly came to Lake Isabelle.

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

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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.

Another article I wrote for the Boulder Weekly. This article was about my favorite local backpacking loop.

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Continue reading Savor the Changing Seasons at PMags.com.