Weaver’s Needle, the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, and Peralta Canyon are all part of the beautiful Superstition Wilderness Area. We are lucky to have such gems in our own backyard, and are featuring some of the interesting photos hikers have taken while visiting the Superstition Mountains. These photographs are the work of talented photographers who share their images for others to enjoy under Creative Commons licensing. If you wish to use these photographs, please visit the photograp... Read Full Story

I get asked about this often so it is time to get an answer out to everyone.  Yes, backcountry tour guides work for tips and they are greatly appreciated.  How much they get tipped has been a mystery since there is little information on the internet related to tipping a backcountry guide. Many of the tipping guidelines are for the guides on van tours which isn’t a good comparison to backcountry guide. A backcountry guide does more than just lead the group down the trail. He or she takes... Read Full Story

image credit: jcwestbrook Years ago, you could check multiple hiker’s guides or camper’s packing checklists and find a navigational compass listed as an essential item to bring on any outdoor adventure. Do a similar search today, and a compass may be listed less than half the time. That begs the question, is it really necessary to bring, and know how to use, a compass? Here are a few things to keep in mind. You might be able to skip packing a compass if: You’re traveling with a tour guide,... Read Full Story

I was checking in on REI Adventures for their 2010 calendar yesterday and I noticed something encouraging and strange at the same time. REI has gotten smart and is offering  Superstition Mountain backpacking tours for next year. Angel's Basin - Superstition Mountains We (Just Roughin’ It Adventure Company) have been saying for years that the Superstition Mountains are an incredible place for backpacking. There are jagged peaks, narrow canyons, as well as Native American ruins and old ho... Read Full Story

Next time you are on a road trip in Arizona, or taking a trip along the historic Route 66, make certain you stop in Oatman, AZ.  Oatman is a former mining town in Mohave County that began as a tent camp when prospectors struck a $10 million gold find in 1915.  In 1924, United Eastern Mines, the town’s main employer, shut down operations.  By 1941, all mining operations were shut down by the US Government as part of the country’s war effort in mining metals other than gold.  Oatman... Read Full Story

New studies by researchers at the University of Rochester monitored the effects of natural versus artificial environments on human behavior, and found that nature makes us all nicer to be around. Among the findings, people who were exposed to nature were kinder, more social and more receptive to close personal interaction. I can’t say I’m surprised. After all, it’s widely accepted that spending time in nature reduces stress, speeds healing, and improves physical and mental vitality. It’s eas... Read Full Story

 According to a recent article in the Arizona Republic (Sept. 27, 2009), mule trips into Grand Canyon National Park could be endangered.  The reason for this is the damage the mules cause to the trail and the cost involved in maintaining these trails.  A ride on a mule to Phantom Ranch (the bottom of the canyon) costs around $450 and this price includes one night stay at Phantom Ranch and food.  A day trip to Plateau Point costs $150.   Xanterra South Rim, the private company that runs the So... Read Full Story

For those who double as both technologically savvy and outdoor adventurers, we ran across AccuTerra, a cool-looking iPhone application that allows you to map, journal and share your hikes. Built around a library of geographically and topographically detailed maps, the primary purpose of the application is to help users discover and plan hikes before taking trips, as well as document actual hikes with GPS tracking, place marks and pictures. If you take those pictures with the iPhone, AccuTer... Read Full Story

In 2006, the Adventure Travel Trade Association conducted their first annual Adventure Travel Business Survey. One of the most interesting findings was that more than half of all adventure travelers were women ages 41-60. This led many in the industry to take a fresh look at what was previously an under-considered group. More recent research shows that women’s adventure travel is more than just a passing trend. It’s here to stay. A recent survey by HostelBookers.com revealed that 74% of res... Read Full Story

Fourth and final in a series inspired by The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, a Ken Burns documentary series that will air on PBS September 27th-October 2nd. From helicopter flyovers to kayaking, from cave and cliff tours to llama packing, there are many ways to experience each one of America’s parks that range from a few hours to several days. Here we identify a few parks best experienced over a long weekend. Sequoia & Kings Canyon, California These two parks are located side-b... Read Full Story