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The Best Hiking Trails in Kings Canyon National Park
Most often mentioned in conjunction with its next-door-neighbor Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park has no trouble standing on its own. First protected in part as General Grant National Park in 1890, Kings Canyon became a national park in 1940, and counted photographic luminary Ansel Adams among its early supporters. It is known for its huge sequoia trees, including the gigantic General Grant Tree in Grant Grove. Read the full article at Backpacker.com here.
read moreA Backpacker’s Guide to Foraging
In a world full of grocery store mindsets, we often lose perspective of what it takes to get food from the Earth to our tables. It’s too easy to disconnect that gallon of milk from the cow it came from or those mushrooms from the dirt from which they were plucked. That’s why foraging is a great way to reconnect not only to the food you eat but to the environment in which you exist. Read the full article at Backpacker.com here.
read moreThe Best Dayhikes in Death Valley
Death Valley National Park is a year-round hiking playground, and as you might imagine, offers even more options in the winter and spring than the hot summer months. If you are looking for a fall-through-spring destination, this could be your Shangri-la. Read the full article at Backpacker.com here.
read moreIs It Safe to Hike in Wildfire Smoke? // Backpacker Magazine
If you’ve been hiking in the western US this summer, odds are that you’ve seen the smoke from this season’s super-size wildfires. Mother Nature has been making up for years of human-driven fire suppression, and some officials say this could be the new normal for the foreseeable future. And for smoke-sensitive backpackers, that’s a bummer. Read the full article here.
read moreSustainability Revival // Sierra Living Magazine
It began as a way to regain a piece of history and developed into a savvy modern tool for local farmers. In 1994, after starting the first farmers’ markets in Placer County, Joanne Neft joined a local committee that ultimately developed PlacerGROWN. Read the full story here.
read moreMammoth Snowfall // Freeskier Magazine
Check out the 2018 Freeskier Magazine Resort Guide to see this piece.
read moreHow to Become a Bear Biologist // Backpacker Magazine
Move over, astronauts and rock stars, there’s a new dream job on the block: bear biologist. For those who love working outdoors and want an in-depth look at a fascinating animal, then this may be the job for you. But be forewarned: To make a career out of studying bruins, you’ll need to be ready to put in a lot of work. Read the full story here.
read moreHow to Save Your Dog’s Life // Backpacker Magazine
Your pup might just be the best hiking partner you’ve ever had with one small exception: dogs make lousy wilderness first responders. That means saving the day is up to you. Being able to administer first aid to your dog is critical when disaster strikes. Check out these worst-case scenarios and tips from Sid Gustafson, DVM and author of Canine Field Medicine: First Aid for Your Active Dog. Read the full story here.
read moreHiking Off-Leash: What Dog Owners Need to Know // Backpacker Magazine
There’s nothing more liberating than roaming free on the trail, so it’s only natural that dog owners want to share that feeling with their pups. But going unleashed comes with extra responsibility, too—first and foremost, to keep hikers, your dog, and other animals safe. Before you let Fido loose on the trail, here’s what you need to think about. Read the full story here.
read moreThis Year’s Epic Snowpack Could Pose a Threat to 2017 Pacific Crest Trail Hikers // Backpacker Magazine
It was a winter for the record books in California. Record-breaking snowfalls across the Sierra Nevada set the stage for an epic ski season, as well as a springtime crop of snowmelt that the state desperately needed. But while skiers, snowboarders and hydrologists have been rejoicing all winter, it’s a different story for hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail, where the snowpack means a rough—and potentially dangerous—start to this year’s season. Read the full story here.
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