Right after Christmas, we decided to take a quick backcountry trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. We had only been to the Canyon once before during our COVID summer roadtrip, but had never ventured more than 2 miles down the Bright Angel trail. We flew to Phoenix and drove a rental car toContinue reading “Family Grand Canyon Backpacking”
Category Archives: Parks
Scout Packrafting Boquillas Canyon
Austin Troop 33 has a rugged tradition of heading to West Texas every January over MLK weekend for a mini-high-adventure. This year, we were back at Big Bend NP. The national parks rules and regulations increase the complexity of scout adventures in Big Bend. For this trip we needed to obtain a “Special Use Permit”Continue reading “Scout Packrafting Boquillas Canyon”
Canoeing at Northern Tier High Adventure Base
For me this is the summer of scout canoe trips. Last week my oldest daughter and I went on a week-long canoe trip in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota with a crew from Troop 19 in Austin. Instead of using a private outfitter, we booked our trip with the Northern Tier High Adventure Base.Continue reading “Canoeing at Northern Tier High Adventure Base”
Top Multiday Canoe Trips near (not in) Texas for Scout Troops
A multiday canoe trip is one of the best high-adventure options for scout troops. River canoeing can involve excitement, the fun of getting wet, fishing, wilderness, and freedom for the scouts to learn skills without a strict itinerary or program requirements. This post describes two awesome multiday trips reachable from central Texas. Although the discussionContinue reading “Top Multiday Canoe Trips near (not in) Texas for Scout Troops”
Family-Friendly Backpacking in Big Bend National Park
Just after the New Year, the Smith family went on a two-night backcountry trip to the High Chisos in Big Bend National Park. This was our first family desert trip, and it was a lot of fun. Most Big Bend backpacking trips are challenging because you must carry your own water. There are a fewContinue reading “Family-Friendly Backpacking in Big Bend National Park”
Visiting Yosemite Valley with Kids
This summer we spent a few days in Yosemite Valley. It was our second trip to the park, but the first in the middle of summer. This year the park did away with the reservation system instituted for COVID, which made park mornings resemble the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush except instead of claiming homesteads peopleContinue reading “Visiting Yosemite Valley with Kids”
BTSR: A West Texas Gem
West Texas is my favorite part of the state. The crown jewels of Texas backcountry adventure, Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, are favorites of mine (and everyone else). Recently, I had the chance to explore a third, less popular but no less spectacular corner of West Texas: the Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch inContinue reading “BTSR: A West Texas Gem”
Dealing with Crowds
Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded – Yogi Berra The huge post-COVID increase in crowds is evident to everyone who spends time outdoors. My hometown of Austin is in the process of being overrun by crowds of new people. Gone are the days of being able to just show up at Barton Springs PoolContinue reading “Dealing with Crowds”
The Little Missouri River Trail
Arkansas is a strong contender on the all-underrated states list. Over spring break, I was reminded about just how underrated and how close – in Texas distances – it is to home. Austin Cub Scout Pack 14 took 13 scouts and 12 parents on a two-night backpacking trip on the Little Missouri River Trail inContinue reading “The Little Missouri River Trail”
Colorado Bend
One can live for decades in the same place and yet be ignorant of awesome things near home. For me one of those things is Colorado Bend State Park, which is now my favorite Texas State Park. Colorado Bend is located a little over two hours from Austin and San Antonio; just far enough toContinue reading “Colorado Bend”
Vamonos Baby! 