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TrailGroove Blog

A Blog by the TrailGroove Team

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Contributors to this blog

  • Aaron Zagrodnick 239
  • Mark Wetherington 76
  • PaulMags 27
  • Susan Dragoo 26
  • Steve Ancik 17
  • tmountainnut 12
  • David Cobb 11
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  • HikerBox 6
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  • Karen Garmire 6
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Gear | Trips | Food | Technique | Reading

Entries in this blog

Trips

Hiking the West Coast Trail of Vancouver Island

As my son and I took the mandatory trail class by Parks Canada we were warned of many things that one might encounter. Along the shore there were the tides that can block beach routes and river crossings, fast changing surge channels that were responsible for the only death documented on the trail, and the remote possibility of a tsunami. Along the West Coast Trail, time and logistics turns more by a maritime clock, whether by tide or ferry. The trail itself owes its creation to the sea, in
JimG

JimG in Trips

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Trips

Hiking Grand Gulch & Bullet Canyon: A Magical Connection

It was gradual, the dawn of my understanding of Grand Gulch and its magic. Only five years ago, I rode a motorcycle right up the Moki Dugway, its dirt surface ascending in precipitous twists and turns, and traveled blithely across the gentle slope of Cedar Mesa, oblivious to the treasures hidden within its canyons. That changed with repeated visits to Arizona and Utah. Seeking new hiking destinations, I noticed an adventure guide offering a Utah backpacking trip and, through the itinerary, learn
Susan Dragoo

Susan Dragoo in Trips

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Food

Tex-Mex Style Backpacking Couscous and Cheese Recipe

After many hours of bushwhacking through pick-up-sticks and talus in the Ferris Mountain Wilderness Study Area, I was hungry. The mile an hour pace through this rough terrain certainly made me want a hearty meal. But also one that would cook quick. And would go down easy. I had just the meal in my food bag. Something would be just what I needed after a rewarding, but tiring, day. I’d have a TexMex-style dish in the backcountry. Some cheesy bean goodness with a bit of a spice kick. A long da
PaulMags

PaulMags in Food

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Food

Hungry Hiker Backcountry Pasta Salad Backpacking Recipe

Although this recipe is heavy on the weight, it is absolutely huge on the flavor and was one of my favorite meals from my backpacking trips this summer. It serves two hungry hikers – the amount of pasta used is double what is typically suggested, so you might reduce this if you typically have a small appetite. However, since there is no thick and meaty sauce involved, the pasta makes up for this. This backpacking pasta salad meal offers plenty of freshness that is typically lacking in
Mark Wetherington

Mark Wetherington in Food

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Technique

Backpacking Jargon: Lapse Rate, Temperature, & Altitude

Lapse rate can be used to describe several atmospheric variables, but for hikers lapse rate is generally observed as the tendency for temperature to predictably fall with altitude. In general, backpackers and hikers can expect a temperature decrease / lapse rate of several degrees Fahrenheit for every 1000 feet of elevation gain. Lapse rate occurs in concert with and due to the lower air pressure found at altitude. When planning a mountain trip, lapse rate is important to consider so that you ca
Aaron Zagrodnick

Aaron Zagrodnick in Technique

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Trips

Hiking the Greenbrier Area of the Great Smoky Mountains

Hiking along the Ramsey Cascades trail in the Greenbrier region of the Smokies, my good friend and hiking partner Mark, froze in his tracks. “Bear!” he said in the loudest whisper he could manage. There was indeed a large, dark mass about 40 yards up the trail and was difficult to see what it was doing in the low, dappled light at the end of the day. Not sure it was a bear, we walked forward a few steps and soon discovered the large black bear wasn’t moving, but turned out to be a shadow of a ne
DustyD

DustyD in Trips

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Trips

Kearsarge Pass Trailhead Backpacking: Into the High Sierra

The Owens Valley and its surrounding mountains are far from the place I grew up and have become one of my favorite parts of this great nation. When I first came here I felt like I had discovered a secret. A lost and secret land. This dry country goes unconquered by man. The valleys between the mountain ranges are grand, quiet and peaceful, possessing a haunting beauty unique to this area. To many who first look upon it, the starkness of this landscape seems unnatural and provokes confusion,
michaelswanbeck

michaelswanbeck in Trips

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Food

Banana Nut Rice Pudding Backpacking Dessert Recipe

Another winter backpacking trip. The pack is heavy with gear and clothing, the climbs are steep and the breaking of trail through the fresh snow takes longer than expected. But a wonderful day is had skiing deep into the backcountry. The skies are a bright blue. And the winter sun reflected on the snow covered peaks. Beauty surrounds everything. Soon, a suitable campsite for the evening is spotted. A sheltered area among the trees with a view across the frozen lake. Camp is quickly made. The sto
PaulMags

PaulMags in Food

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Food

Mediterranean Couscous and Chicken Backpacking Recipe

In the American West, forest fires have sadly become a common occurrence. Often, the lightweight backpacker’s favorite of an alcohol stove is not allowed for various reasons. When these open flame bans occur, a person has to use a canister or a white gas stove instead. There is another choice. A choice that works well with not only open flame bans but also with the hot weather often found in conjunction with these stove bans: Going stoveless. Going stoveless is another tool to have in the backpa
PaulMags

PaulMags in Food

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Food

Backpacking Fruit Crisp Crunch Breakfast / Dessert Recipe

This crunchy fruit crisp makes a sweet ending to a strenuous day of hiking. However I prefer it as a sweet beginning and this is one of my all-time favorite trail breakfasts. For a quick-start morning you can add boiling water to the fruit the night before and allow it to rehydrate overnight. Save on clean-up by using the zip top bag as a bowl liner, adding water directly to the bag and zipping it closed to rehydrate. Add the topping in the morning and then you’ll be energized and ready to hit t
Karen Garmire

Karen Garmire in Food

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Trips

Hiking in Winter: A Yearly Gift & Reflection on a Season

Unique among the seasons, winter wields the power to make many hiking destinations inaccessible. Roads are gated due to snow, mountain passes become snowbound and hazardous, and specific four-season gear is required in many regions for those venturing out in the winter months. Human-powered recreation is mostly left to snowshoers, skiers, snowboarders, and winter is also a good time to focus on cleaning gear, summer trip planning, fitness routines, racking up vacation time, and other hobbies. Ge
Mark Wetherington

Mark Wetherington in Trips

2
Technique

Backpacking and Hiking Jargon: Navigation Handrail

When navigating in the backcountry and especially when navigating offtrail, a handrail refers to a feature you can follow towards your intended destination while maintaining accurate knowledge of your location, at least along one axis. Examples of handrails include rivers and streams (the most classic example), a fence or power line, a specific altitude in mountainous terrain, the shoreline of a large body of water, a linear canyon, or even other man-made features such as roads. Combi
Aaron Zagrodnick

Aaron Zagrodnick in Technique

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Gear

Backpacking & Hiking Jargon: Baffle (Insulating Gear)

Used in sleeping bags and insulated garments, baffles are a sewn compartmented wall utilized to control the distribution of down insulation throughout a garment or bag. Sewn through construction (the resulting compartments sometimes also referred to as baffles) achieves the same type of insulation control and is simple to construct as well as lightweight, but creates cold spots along the seams making such a construction ideal for milder weather. A good example of this type of construction can be
Aaron Zagrodnick

Aaron Zagrodnick in Gear

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Food

Savory Cranberry Nut Couscous Backpacking Recipe

Dishes that are a bit lighter tasting can be desirable at many times of the year and especially in warmer weather. The palette does not crave cream, cheese, and the other heavy foods associated with winter. Instead, a touch of citrus might be wanted. A bit of mint on the tongue. And perhaps something a bit tart and a little sweet to balance the flavors out? This recipe is a unique (and fresh!) take on couscous, and the brightness of the meal goes well with spring and summer seasons. T
PaulMags

PaulMags in Food

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Technique

Tips for Photographing Mushrooms: The Flowers of Fall

Mushrooms are the flowers of fall, and photographing them may look easy but it’s not. Here are a few helpful tips to use when photographing them. First, you’ll want to correctly identify the mushrooms you shoot, so pick up a good mushroom book to help with identification. My favorite book on fungi is Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora. I also recommend his mushroom field-pocket guide. When I photograph mushrooms, I often begin with a document photograph. This helps me identify the m
David Cobb

David Cobb in Technique

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Gear

2025 REI Reward / Dividend Release & Member Guide

The arrival of spring brings a lot of things for the outdoor enthusiast to get excited about, including longer days, warm temperatures, and melting snow for those of us in the north. However one additional perk that spring brings is the annual REI Member Reward (previously known as the REI Dividend) release. For REI members, this is the time of the year when REI Co-op members receive their rewards from REI purchases you made during the 2024 season. Gear-up with the help of REI Member
Aaron Zagrodnick

Aaron Zagrodnick in Gear

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Technique

Backpacking & Hiking with Dogs: A Getting Started Guide

Backpacking can be a challenging endeavor in itself – at times in our effort to get back to basics and simplify life by hitting the trail we find ourselves poring over gear checklists, rushing to make the trailhead at a decent hour, or planning trips that just push the mileage a bit too far. With all this in mind, adding another component to the equation might not be the best idea. But once you find your rhythm, adding man’s best friend can be a great addition to any trip – and there aren’t many
Aaron Zagrodnick

Aaron Zagrodnick in Technique

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Trips

Bryce Canyon National Park: A Quick Hiking Guide

Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is a popular park and for good reason – its stunning rock spire formations (hoodoos) and the Bryce Amphitheater that can be seen from the canyon rim provide amazing views for those that visit. When it comes to hiking in Bryce Canyon, various trails provide a means for visitors to experience the canyon close up, while getting some good exercise and can offer a bit more solitude than the rim as well, if the timing is right. Bryce Canyon hoodoo
Aaron Zagrodnick

Aaron Zagrodnick in Trips

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Trips

Hiking & Exploring The Great Plains: Overlooked Wildness

The Great American Desert. The flyover territory. Flat. Boring. Uninspiring. All names or descriptions given to an area of North America that is five-hundred miles wide and two-thousand miles long. This area is The Great Plains. The Great Plains are arguably the most American of all landscapes. What people over the world often conjure up when the American West is thought about. The wide open spaces, the vast landscape and the sky above. Seemingly limitless. Extending forever. The Grea
PaulMags

PaulMags in Trips

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Food

Quick & Easy 3 Day Backpacking Meal Plan (with Recipes)

It’s Wednesday, the weekend weather forecast looks good, and the boss just said you can have Friday off. Now all you need to do is pick your trail, grab your gear, and you’re in for the perfect long backcountry weekend. The only thing that’s standing between you and the trail is food. You know that good food can make or break a trip, and you’re determined to make this a good one. Ah, the food dilemma. You could drive to the nearest outfitter and stock up on three days of freeze-dried meals,
Karen Garmire

Karen Garmire in Food

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Food

Build Your Own Trail Chili: Backpacking Dinner Recipe

Double down to beat the winter chill with a steaming bowl of hot chili. The beauty of this recipe is the ability to tailor it to suit a variety of diets and taste preferences. It’s naturally gluten free. Choose a non-meat protein option for a vegan or vegetarian variation. Tone down the spice by choosing poblano peppers or mild canned green chiles and omitting the jalapenos. Pour on the heat by using Anaheim peppers, extra jalapenos and a full two tablespoons of chili powder. Makes tw
Karen Garmire

Karen Garmire in Food

0
Technique

Backpacking Luxury Items: 8 Lightweight & Favorite Items

Every backpacker should have a slightly miserable trek just once in their life. Nothing extreme – just one with a bit of good-old fashioned discomfort. Maybe a rock under a sleeping bag, or a slightly damp boot during a section of a hike – it’s during those moments of less than easy explorations that the true value of the little amenities becomes evident, and much more appreciated. The small bits taken for granted on daily basis are sincerely cherished on the trail. That being said, there is no
Claire Murdough

Claire Murdough in Technique

0
Trips

Backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains: A Quick Guide

If you're in the Midwest, the Porcupine Mountains might be your #1 go to backpacking destination. Scenic views abound and old growth forests dominate the interior. Head to the north side of the park and you'll find yourself greeted with the pristine and beautiful waters of the world’s largest freshwater lake. For an excellent day hike, park at the Lake of the Clouds overlook and explore the Escarpment Trail (amazing views). If a great view of the lake and a shoreline jaunt better suit
Aaron Zagrodnick

Aaron Zagrodnick in Trips

0
Trips

A Manistee River Trail Hike: Manistee National Forest

After a weekend hike on the Manistee River Trail loop, we were left with an interesting impression. While not a true wilderness experience, the trail has a unique feel that only the Michigan backwoods seem to offer. Quiet and remote, hiking the trail feels a bit like travelling back in time. The map shows that several roads will be crossed, but none are paved or graveled. Most are nothing more than wide, almost forgotten paths through the forest that see little use. It feels as though you’re wal
Aaron Zagrodnick

Aaron Zagrodnick in Trips

0
Gear

Backpacking and Hiking Jargon: Micron (Water Treatment)

A unit of measurement equal to one-millionth of a meter, or a thousandth of a millimeter. You’ll almost certainly hear the term micron used in relation to backcountry water filtration methods. The standard micron size of most popular water filters is usually around .2 microns, but there are filters available with both smaller and larger pore sizes. What’s best? It depends. Most of the things you can actually see in a water source are quite large and will be caught by almost all filters, but
Aaron Zagrodnick

Aaron Zagrodnick in Gear

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