When Donald Trump took office he appointed as his Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, a former member of Congress with a 4% lifetime score from the League of Conservation voters. Like Trump’s other cabinet members, much ink has been spilled concerning Zinke’s qualifications, the “fox guarding the henhouse” nature of his appointment, the various scandals that have surfaced during his time at Interior. Perhaps less well known to the general public is that Secretary Zinke, under orders from President Trump, recommended major changes to ten of the nation’s National Monuments. The most famous and contentious of these Monuments are Bears Ears and Grand Staircase – Escalante. But Organ Mountain – Desert Peaks, tucked away in a quiet corner of New Mexico, made the list as well.
Places
The world is full of beautiful, inspiring places. Discover stories about some of them here, whether they lie in your backyard or beyond.
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Vancouver Island: Trauma on a West Coast Trail Backpacking Trip
Vancouver Island and I are on a collision course for a rematch. Here’s a story about my recent trials on a West Coast Trail backpacking trip.
The Skyline Trail: A Canadian Rockies Gem
The Canadian Rockies are full of backpacking opportunities which are well-traveled but secluded. One scenic route is the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. I have had the benefit of backpacking many of the trails in the Canadian Rockies. However, I have never managed to make it out to the Skyline Trail. Also, the limited number of backpackers permitted on the trail at one time ensures a relatively private trip, and the elevation of the trail provides unparalleled views.
Mountains, Waterfalls and Rivers: Exploring Monkman Provincial Park, British Columbia
So when Ben texted me that he and two other guys had lined up a brand new “epic” trip in Monkman Provincial Park, British Columbia, I probably should have thought about what I was getting into. But I was up for some excitement so I joined the trip.
Rae Lakes Film (Documentary / Video)
Chris and Muzzy go to Rae Lakes (film!) during the High Sierra’s most biggest snow season on record! Arg! What about their marriage?
Escalante Packrafting and Technical Canyoneering
Packrafting and canyoneering in Escalante multiple activities on the same expedition.
Along the Lewis and Clark Trail with Buck Nelson
Adventurer and author Buck Nelson reflects on his incredible adventure on the famed Lewis and Clark Trail – a grand western adventure!
Alcove (Film)
Alcove is a story about a backpacking trip that Chris Smead and Ryan Jordan took during the Spring of 2017. It explores Chris’s perspective on doing something different than what he’s used to – hiking in remote canyons on the Colorado Plateau.
Hiking Big Bend National Park: Outer Mountain Loop
Hiking Big Bend National Park’s Outer Mountain Loop gave the author an opportunity to get out and see deserts and mountains on the same route.
Packrafting Southwest Alaska: Togiak NWR and Wood-Tikchik SP
Morry Steinbach, Vince Jajuga, and I completed a trip packrafting Southwest Alaska from Heart Lake in Togiak National Wildlife Refuge to Tikchik Lake in Wood-Tikchik State Park from July 29-August 5, 2016. We ran Milk Creek, paddled Chikuminuk Lake, and backpacked into the Tikchik River which we floated to Tikchik Lake. We covered approximately 82 miles (132.0 km) total over seven days of packrafting and backpacking.
Hiking the Ottawa-Temiskaming Highland Trail: Trial and Tribulation in Ontario, Canada
Hiking the Ottawa-Temiskaming Highland Trail, one of Ontario’s gems – is not without its challenges. Leanne tells us about its rewards, too.
Snowshoeing Yosemite Point (Film)
Chris Smead presents “Snowshoeing Yosemite Point”, a film in 4K about a beautiful winter trek accomplished in lightweight style!