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“The ‘boat” is riding an epic wave of singletrack spurred by the perfect storm of trail development. Steamboat Springs looks and feels like no other Colorado mountain town. For starters, the sky is bigger: Because it’s located in a broad valley instead of a narrow box canyon, the town enjoys lingering sunsets and glorious views of amber-colored alpenglow on 10,568-foot Mt. Werner (the summit of the Steamboat ski resort). Even its highest peaks sit below treeline, so you won’t see the bare, jagged balds that are typical of other regions of Colorado. These mountains are rounded and green—but they rise 3,600 feet above the Yampa River valley, so climbs and descents can be epic. And its remote location (in Colorado’s northwest corner, 150 miles from Denver) has helped Steamboat Springs maintain its unique character and culture. Cattle and sheep ranching, rather than mining, attracted this valley’s earliest settlers, and that neighborly cow-town character lives on in this tight-knit communi

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of floating just a few inches above the water in a kayak. Whether your next paddle trip is for a couple of hours or several days, these tips and hacks will make your time out on the water even better. 1. Reflection Protection To protect yourself from the sun’s rays, you know you need to slather on the sunscreen before you hit the water. But don’t forget the sun’s reflection off the water, which can reach places you normally don’t think about, like the underside of your chin and nose, the backs of your arms and in your ears. Use a combination of sunscreen and protective clothing like a bandana or Buff to keep skin protected, and set a timer to remind yourself to reapply liberally at least every two hours. (See our article on How to Choose and Use Sunscreen for more helpful tips.) 2. Organize the Little Things It can be tricky to keep track of all the little items you need regular access to when you’re out on the water. Keep your sunscreen, lip ba

SAR, Drugs, and Rock N’ Roll: Former Yosemite Ranger and Search and Rescue Officer reflects on rescues and adventures during Yosemite’s Golden Age Butch Farabee, an Indiana native, had an expansive, 34-year National Park Service career, during which he served as a ranger and eventually rose to the rank of superintendent. Perhaps most impressively, he was the agency’s first emergency services coordinator, conducting more than 900 rescues, 800 of which were in Yosemite National Park in the rowdy and colorful 1970s. In fact, Butch donned his badge during the height of Yosemite’s wild “Stonemaster” era of rock climbing, when climbing’s wiliest legends—from Jim Bridwell to John Long—were putting up bold first ascents, hiding out in Camp 4 and playing baseball with the rangers, who were both their friends and foils. The climber’s side of the stories are well known (see Valley Uprising trailer below), but what was it like from a ranger’s perspective? Butch, now retired in living in Tucson, Ar

Kayaking is one of the best ways to get outside, but it can get expensive when you add up the boat and all the required accessories. Kayak carts make hauling boats out to the water easy, especially if you’re going solo, but they can be pricey. Save some cash and have a little fun by building your own kayak cart for around $40. This cart was designed for a recreational kayak, but with a few measurement tweaks you can fit it to the dimensions of your boat. Tools: Hacksaw Optional: PVC cutter and cut-off wheel Materials: One 10′ length and one 2′ length 3/4″ diameter SCH40 (thicker walled PVC) PVC joints Four 90s Eight 45s Four T’s Four crosses Two 6″ hand truck wheels from a discount hardware store (we found inflatable ones) Two 5/8th cut washers Two 5/8th locking split washers Four 5/8th nuts Two 3/4″-to-1/2″ PVC bushings PVC all-purpose cement 36″ 5/8th threaded rod Pool noodle Six zip ties Two tie-down straps Directions: Step 1: Measure your boat. Measure your boat underneath the cock