Outdoors Blog http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors Read the Smarter Outdoors Blog for hiking and camping advice, outdoor gear buying guides, daily deals and adventure travel tips. Thu, 04 Oct 2007 18:19:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.1 en “Reindeer Games 2: Santa’s Revenge” http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/07/31/reindeer-games-2-santas-revenge/ http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/07/31/reindeer-games-2-santas-revenge/#comments Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:05:57 +0000 nick Santa Claus http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/07/31/reindeer-games-2-santas-revenge/ Tell us what you’d say!

What would you say? Write us your caption and post them in our comments!

]]> http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/07/31/reindeer-games-2-santas-revenge/feed/ Blogging From Alaska: Down the Richardson Highway http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/07/24/blogging-from-alaska-down-the-richardson-highway/ http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/07/24/blogging-from-alaska-down-the-richardson-highway/#comments Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:00:50 +0000 nick AlaskaGlaciersPink Salmon http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/07/24/blogging-from-alaska-down-the-richardson-highway/ I recently just returned from a trip down the Richardson Highway to Chitna and Valdez. Although my dipnetting trip in Chitna had to be cancelled due to the dangerous river conditions, I could still take some nice pictures on the drive down. Here are a few of them that I had a chance to post.

I’ll post more when I get a chance. Personally, I like the glacier views the best along the drive. No matter how many times I see them, they still leave me mesmerized by their size and beauty.

, , ]]> http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/07/24/blogging-from-alaska-down-the-richardson-highway/feed/ Monrovia Canyon http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/06/11/monrovia-canyon/ http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/06/11/monrovia-canyon/#comments Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:49:56 +0000 nick http://blogs.smarter.com/outdoors/2007/06/11/monrovia-canyon/ This past Saturday I decided to stay local and check out a trail that is not to far from town. Located just a few miles from downtown Monrovia, I drove up to Monrovia Canyon Park. It was a rather crowded afternoon, but otherwise a sunny and warm day.

This afternoon, I decided to take the shorter trail towards the waterfall. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

I started out down at the lower parking and walked my way up the side of the hill which led me back down into the valley. The trail was clear and so well traveled that I basically jogged the majority of the trail. It took me about 45 minutes, to get to the end of the trail which was home to a waterfall that is about 50 feet high.

Pros:
* Relative easy hike, with the majority of the trail being on level ground.

* The clean, relaxing atmosphere is complimented with a beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail.

* For families, there is an open picnic area to rest in with bathrooms nearby.

* Park offers maps of the various trails, highlighting points you should check out.

* Park services maintain the trails and area very well.

Cons:

* It is open everyday of the week, except for Tuesdays.

* Because this trail is in such close proximity to the city and it is an easy trail, on the weekends the trail may be crowded with families.

* There is a parking fee of $5.00, but worth it.

Overall, I recommend this area to everyone. It’s safe for families and for those of you who want to get away for a couple hours and want an easy hike, this is perfect for you.

For more information on hours and directions, visit the Monrovia Canyon Park website.

- Pictures coming soon.

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