Trailhead
Reduce tick bites on hikes and campouts with clothing habits, repellents used correctly, full-body checks, safe removal, and clear signals for calling a clinician—without panic or gimmicks.
From picking a realistic route and packing food and water to reading weather signs and hiking with kids—your blueprint for confident miles on day hikes without swapping trails for hype or reckless shortcuts.
Decide whether a spring runoff crossing is sane, scout upstream and down, wade with a solid plan (unclip pack, faces upstream, staff or team), and know the real signs it is time to camp, reroute, or walk away—before the water gets a vote.
Find the best hiking trails near you with beginner-friendly tips for choosing local hikes, walking paths, waterfall trails, family trails, and safe hiking areas.
Washington's wildflower season climbs the mountains like a slow wave — lowland trilliums in April, hills of balsamroot in May, alpine lilies through August. Here's where to catch each wave with kids in tow.
The ten items that earn a permanent spot in a winter day pack, why each one is winter-specific, and the common mistake that ruins each one.
A four-layer system for winter and shoulder-season hiking — base, active mid, wind, and puffy/shell — built around moisture control, with budget, mid-range, and premium gear picks at each tier and the layering mistakes to avoid.
A first-timer's plan for hiking: a ten-item gear list, how to pick an easy 2-4 mile trail, step-by-step prep for your first outing, trail etiquette, quick fixes for blisters and fatigue, and a four-week progression to make it a habit.
Seven water-resistant hiking boots compared — Salomon X Ultra 5, Merrell Moab 3, HOKA Kaha 3, and more — with weights, prices, and fit notes, plus when breathable water resistance beats full waterproofing.
Ten Pacific Northwest wildflower hikes, from Dog Mountain to Mount Ashland, with mileage, elevation gain, bloom windows, permit requirements, and driving directions to each trailhead.
A look at the $830 million Interior Department contract that included a 10-question survey, what that money could have funded in Pacific Northwest parks like Olympic and Crater Lake, and how park lovers can push for accountability.
Head-to-head comparison of the Garmin inReach Mini 2 (~$250) against the inReach Messenger, ZOLEO, SPOT X, and ACR Bivy Stick on weight, battery, features, and plan costs — with notes on the new Mini 3 and a clear winner.