Hiking Tips and Trips

  • A Complete Guide to Rattlesnake Safety: Lessons From the Trail

    Staying Safe in Rattlesnake Country It only takes one misstep in rattlesnake country to change your hike—and your health. We had packed for blisters, sunburns, and maybe a brush with heat stroke—but not for a rattlesnake encounter. In an area with no cell phone service and no vehicle nearby, we were not prepared for our near disaster! That experience made one thing clear: rattlesnake safety isn’t optional—it’s essential for anyone exploring in rattlesnake country. 🐍 TL;DR We nearly stepped on a camouflaged rattlesnake in Joshua Tree, which underscored how essential rattlesnake safety truly is. This guide covers: The Backstory Several years ago, we were camping at Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend it. The landscape is surreal—massive granite boulders piled high like a natural playground for adventurers of all ages. Within thirty minutes of arriving, we had camp set up and were off exploring. The kids were in awe, scrambling over rocks and scouting the best spots for their next…

  • A Complete Hiker’s Guide to Bear Safety: Lessons from the Trail

    Staying Safe in Bear Country There’s a fine line between adventure and recklessness. Sometimes it’s hard to know where the line is, and on this trip we learned how blurry the line can get when it comes to bear safety on the trail. With the first true summer weather breaking through, Craig and I decided…