Obviously, with all our family outdoor activity, there’s been little time to update this blog in a consistent manner. But with summer behind and cool, colorful Fall ahead, our plans are set for reinvigorating this journal. Each month we’ll embark on a virtual hike along a different trail. Maps, photos and highlights. And, of course, our slant remains greener footprints. You can expect more hiking gear reviews, safe hiking tips, and environmental news affecting outdoor hiking, back... Read Full Story

With the tag “Get Outdoors Wherever You Are”, the National Wildlife Federation’s Get Outside page sports the nifty Nature Find tool that allows you to find outdoor events and/or sites within one to 500 miles of any U.S. location. Using Google Maps and a database of almost 30 site types including parks, aquariums, trails, and preserves, you can easily find a local destination no matter where you are in the country. And you can filter your search to show only sites that includ... Read Full Story

Every hiker has a favorite quick get-away trail. Usually very local–and very nearby–the trail provides a hiking fix when time and/or other resources are limited. Urban, suburban or rural hiking trails that are near home or workplace add a bit of outdoor escape to the day’s stale coop. One of my favorite trails runs through the Albany Pine Bush in upstate New York. With its unique environment and easy access, the Pine Bush offers a refreshing outdoor splash in a very urban ar... Read Full Story

With the recent release of global warming reports …. and the intensifying debate on human inputs and individual hubris …. it’s time once again to visit how the ever-changing climate affects our beautiful National Parks . Here are ten climate change reports that touch the U.S. National Park system. Climate Change 101: State Parks Adopts Sustainability Blueprint A critical component is the goal to eliminate pesticides from parks, especially areas frequented by children, such ... Read Full Story

The India arm of the World Wide Fund For Nature has initiated The Green Hiker project to encourage responsible tourism throughout the entire Himalayan ecosystem. Battered by both baggage-toting tour groups and climate change, the Himalayan mountains and wetlands struggle to maintain their high altitude identity. The Green Hiker Campaign simply encourages all involved to help reduce their tourism baggage. Of course, anything brilliantly named The Green Hiker has to be eco-friendly. Photo by sw... Read Full Story

The Big Agnes Salt Creek Recycled Tent earned Backpacker Magazine “Editors’ Choice 2009 Green Award”. This 2-person, three-season tent uses 100% recycled materials (including the reflective guy lines and plastic clips). Without any toxic dyes, this green tent is a somewhat shocking white. The Salt Creek is not just some eco-friendly experiment or “paean to green”. You’ll want to pack this tent from windy Spring through chilling Fall. The Big Agnes is a 3-se... Read Full Story

Mountains Plus has a great  tent deal:  the Sierra Designs Sirius 3-person tent for $99. The only problem is that they can’t seem to keep this tent in stock. With a pack weight of just over five pounds, this Sirius tent is ideal for your overnight hikes. It’s easy to set up and maintains its integrity in the windiest conditions. You may have to back order it though. Lots of  folks are taking advantage of this great tent offer. Now Go Outdoors! Read Full Story

Hiking Trail Maps For The Oregon Coast The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has released ten hiking trails maps of their entire 382-mile Pacific coastline. All ten hiking maps are now available in two pdf printer-friendly sizes. Although the majority of the trails traverse public and private beaches, many hikes include state parks, forests, and county and city roadways. Landowners provide trail easements for portions of trails on private property. Now Go Outdoors! Read Full Story

There are great hiking trails in every corner of the U.S. Let’s peek at both the Northeast and Southwest corners. Tom Meade of the Providence Journal spotlights the 136,000 acres of forest and farmlands known as the Pawcatuck Borderlands. Waterfalls, back country roads, moose, ponds, hiking trails, and bears populate Connecticut and Rhode Island’s New England preserves. Emilie Le Beau details fantastic outdoor adventures around New Mexico’s Monuments. Many of these hikes... Read Full Story

Are you a dedicated green hiker or backpacker looking for additional eco-friendly info and insights? One place to start is Backpacker Magazine’s Green Guide. This compilation places a link list under three categories:  Featured Stories, Nature, and Gear. So … here comes Super Poison Ivy? (Under the “Nature” category.) Now Go Outdoors! Read Full Story