The natural world

SOBO for Steelhead

Sean “Butt Plug” Jansen thru-hiked the PCT in 2015. Sean is a freelance writer and photographer as well as seasonal wilderness guide in Yellowstone National Park. He is now south-bounding from Hiker Town to Campo to raise awareness for the critically endangered Southern California steelhead trout. An anadromous fish, like ... Read more

Itching to go Hiking – First Let’s Have a Talk About Poison Oak

Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general information about poison oak and its effects. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing what you suspect may be a severe reaction to poison oak… or are experiencing a severe reaction, it is ... Read more

Magnificent Five-Needle Pines: Join a PCT Community Science Project

By Michael Kauffmann

Western North America’s five-needle pines are, in my opinion, among the most beautiful living creatures on Earth. They are also major contributors to the unique high-elevation aesthetic of the Pacific Crest Trail. A pine tree is a kind of conifer, and five-needle pines along the trail include ... Read more

Those seeds clinging to your hiking socks may be from invasive plants

Here’s how to avoid spreading them to new locations

By Megan Dolman PhD candidate in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Boise State University

[This article was originally published in The Conversation.]

With spring settling in across the U.S. and days lengthening, many people are ready to spend more time outside. But ... Read more