day hiking

Ever wonder what it's like to conquer the captivating 1.6-mile Saddle Rock Trail in Western Nebraska? Strap on your virtual hiking boots and join me as I undertake this adventurous journey, starting from the Visitor Center, winding through the scenic valley, penetrating a remarkable hand-dug tunnel, and finally, standing atop the iconic Scotch Bluff. The breathtaking views, the thrilling inclines, and the local birdlife encounters are sure to leave you awestruck.

As we navigate the descent, you'll hear my insightful observations about the geological strata of the rocks and get a rare close-up of Saddle Rock. Listen in as I share safety tips, trail challenges, and interesting titbits about landmarks like Eagle Rock, Sentinel Rock, and the South Bluff. This episode is more than just a hike; it's an immersive outdoor adventure packed with intriguing facts, stunning visuals, and the raw thrill of reaching the summit. So, ready for a heart-pounding virtual hike? Let’s hit the trail together!

Ever considered hiking as a break from the hustle and bustle, but fretting over the sweat and strain? What if you could stroll through breathtaking landscapes without breaking a sweat? Join me, Craig thenaturalmedic, on an easy trek through the serene Flatirons Vista trail in Boulder, Colorado, where we relish the majestic Flatiron Range, expansive prairies, and the refreshing Ponderosa Pine Woodlands. Under the warm Colorado sun, we enjoy the tranquility and wonder of nature, with occasional breaks to recharge with some stroffwaffles and water.

Transitioning from grassland prairies to woodland, the picturesque mountains of the Flatiron Range provide a serene backdrop, making this leisure hike a feast for the eyes. Despite the trail being fairly flat and not particularly challenging, it offers a fantastic opportunity to revel in nature's beauty. Back at the trailhead, we explore other accessible trails, hinting at numerous future adventures. This delightful 3.2-mile journey, completed in about an hour and a half, uplifts your spirit and inspires you to embrace more such outdoor activities. Tune in to share this hiking adventure with me and remember, the journey is just as important as the destination.

Experience the beauty of Wyoming through my eyes. As I wander the trails of Curt Gowdy State Park, I invite you along on a journey that's both physical and sensory. From the tranquil sound of the babbling creek, and the lush greenery that surrounds each step, to my discovery of the Hidden Falls, I unfold the majesty of this natural paradise in a detailed narrative that'll leave you with an itch to explore the great outdoors.

In the second part of this episode, we take a detour to the serene environment of Hidden Falls. I pause here to soak in the atmosphere, allowing you to imagine the coolness of the water and the tranquility that envelopes this spot. After a brief rest, we embark on the second half of the journey, wrapping up a five-mile hike in just under three hours. For all nature enthusiasts out there, or anyone seeking a mental getaway, this episode is a must-listen. Let's meet up on the next trail, shall we? Don't forget to follow, like, and subscribe for more adventurous hikes.

Video Version: https://youtu.be/0Ie021QBTY4

There are some nice hiking trails around Lake Texoma on both the Texas and Oklahoma sides. I did a recent day hike on the Cross Timbers trail on my birthday April 4th, 2023. I invited you to follow along with me and check out the trail. #laketexoma #DFWhiking #hikingadventures

Hello there! My name is Craig thenaturalmedic. On this podcast, I help you build the skills, understand gear choices and review trip destinations in a budget-friendly manner to help you enjoy the outdoors safely. I primarily focus on hiking and backpacking, but I am certainly not limited to those topics. Instead, I try to give you the best possible information based on my experiences and opinions from my decades of outdoor adventure travel. Thanks for being here!

I try to keep active on social media in addition to my podcast. Plus, you can find my support links here: https://campsite.to/thenaturalmedicadventures

You can check out any products I use, mention, or promote below. You should assume any links below provide me with some compensation. If you click these, it helps support the channel at no additional cost. Thank you!

Video/Podcast edited using descript find out more here: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=Sqa-bw

Video optimized using tools from Tube Buddy. Find out more here: https://www.tubebuddy.com/thenaturalmedic

Copyright FourGreen LLC, 2019-2023.

Hello and welcome to Episode 23!


This episode sounds a bit different than usual, because I’m the one who’s answering questions, while guest host Alexandra Kenin is the one asking them! Alexandra is the founder of Urban Hiker SF, an urban hiking tour company in San Francisco and author of two guidebooks, Urban Trails: San Francisco, and Urban Trails: East Bay. She is super passionate about getting out and exploring cities by foot, and she also happens to be a big fan of Girl Gotta Hike!


Well I’m a big fan of hers too – in fact I interviewed her back on Episode 9 of this podcast – so when she proposed the idea of interviewing me during a recent visit to Brooklyn, though I was a bit nervous, I just couldn’t say no!


When I started this podcast, I assumed that my listeners would mostly consist of those who get to come out for a hike with me in person. On trail, I’m often answering questions about how I got into guiding and sharing snippets of my thru-hiking adventures, so my podcast goal was to talk less about me and highlight other women who are rockin’ their outdoor passions instead!

But it turns out that so many of you listeners, and especially those that are new, come from locations that are much further afield than my New York City-based circle, and until Alexandra pointed it out to me, it hadn’t really occurred to me that you might want to learn some of the history and details about how I got into the outdoors too! 

So many thanks to her for the invite, and I hope you enjoy our walk and talk together in Prospect Park!


Useful links:

Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for 15% off your first purchase at GossamerGear.com

Check out GG’s amazing pack lineup here:
Mariposa (60-Liter)
Gorilla (50-Liter)
G4-20 (42-Liter)
Kumo 36 (36-Liter)

 
Melissa "Click" Goodwin can be found at:

Girl Gotta Hike - Website

@girlgottahike - Instagram

Facebook -  @GirlGottaHike

Guest Host Alexandra Kenin can be found at:

@urbanhikersf  - Instagram

Urban Hiker SF - Website

Facebook - @UrbanHikerSF

Twitter - @UrbanHikerSF

Trip Advisor - Urban Hiker SF - Day Tours

Urban Trails: San Francisco - guidebook to the trails of San Francisco

Urban Trails: East Bay - guidebook to the trails of Oakland, Berkeley, Freemont, & more! 

Kris and Lori each provide some of their must have winter hiking gear and tips for having a great outdoors experience during the colder months. 

Kris is a 3 time completer of the National Scenic Ice Age Trail and has written a book about her section hiking experience. 

Topics Covered: 

• Keeping hands and feet warm
• Clothing Layers
• Microspikes
• Snow Baskets on Trekking Poles
• Snowshoes
• Protecting your lips and face
• Gloves vs Mittens
• Car Essentials for getting safely to the trail 

Bookmark this Winter 10 Essentials list by Green Mountain Club


Connect with Kris Van Handel:
Check out her book: Hiking with Hair Tie
Hike Episode: Section Hiking the Ice Age Trail
Instagram: @kris_vanhandel

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com 
Patreon: www.patreon.com/thehikepodcast

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Jester comes back on Hike to talk about her recent completion of 40 day hikes along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and all the adventures she had as part of the MST community. She shares what to expect as part of this challenge and some of her favorite hiking and trail towns. We learn about the book that inspired her and was the guide for this challenge - Great Day Hikes on North Carolina's Mountain-to-Sea Trail.

Jester also gives listeners a peek at her latest collaboration with Wheezy-Pee, where they share section hike planning tips with a live Zoom audience.

And of course, we also chat about her 2020 section hike on the Appalachian Trail!


Connect with Jester:
Instagram: @jestersectionhiker
Email:  jester@jestersectionhiker.com
Podcast: hikingradionetwork.com

Learn more about the MST here.

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Special thank you to Isabella, Tim, Leisel, Greg, Julie, Colin and Aaron for being show patrons! 

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

In Episode 12, Melissa talks with fellow Brooklynites and hike leaders, Avalou Baptiste and Claydona Dennie, who have been nurturing a growing love of the outdoors within their Caribbean community through their group TriStateHikers. About five years ago, Ava founded TriState as a way to gather together with her fellow Vincentians, (natives of St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and others of the local Caribbean diaspora as a healthy way to escape from and bring to light to the mental health struggles that so many in her community deal with, but which often gone unspoken or become stigmatized.

In just a few short years, Ava’s hikes have gone from occasional gatherings in nearby Prospect Park in Brooklyn, to weekly hikes, exploring trails as far north as the Catskills and throughout the Tri State Region. Her enthusiasm, curiosity and joy around spending time in nature is infectious, and in the summer of 2020, Claydona, along with many others looking for some respite from the COVID pandemic, was inspired by her to hit the trails too.

Major thanks to Avalou and Claydona for being so willing and open to dig down deep about the importance of inclusion in our outdoor realms both on the internet and on trail. These conversations, while sometimes difficult to start, are so important to have and to continue to have, especially when we are really just at the beginning of (I hope) major systemic and social change as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement. 

SHOW NOTES / USEFUL LINKS:

Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GirlGottaHikeGossamer” for a 1-time 15% off discount on all core products at  GossamerGear.com

TriState Hikers  email

TriState Hikers  Instagram

HIKE For Mental Health website

Nanni Health Food Store & Vegan Restaurant in Brooklyn, NY  Instagram

Lori takes listeners on a recap of her recent trip to the Muskegon area where she visited Hoffmaster and Muskegon State Parks. This short episode gives you a first hand account of hiking forested dunes and walking along Lake Michigan on a late December day.

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast, @lori_the_explorer
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com