NOS Outdoor Ethics

Trail Log

2012-02-16T19:46:00.000-08:00

Along the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park

"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity." - John Muir

Somewhere on the Map: Thunder Mountain Monument

2012-02-09T21:08:00.000-08:00

If you've driven on I-80 through northern Nevada past Imlay you've probably looked to the south of the freeway and said, "what the heck is that place?"

An interpretive sign at the monument says, "The most frequently asked question travelers stopped by the shear oddity of this conglomeration of junk secured by cement is, 'What is this?'" See you're not alone.

The extremely short answer: Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder built this monument from discarded items as a monument to the suffering and plight to the American Indians. Explore the monument for yourself and discover more history behind the motivation of Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder.

Happy Exploring,
Trails

Plan Ahead: Where are you going this summer?

2012-02-02T19:10:00.001-08:00

Even though it’s only February, I’ve been fielding more and more calls, visitors, and mail regarding river permits, wilderness permits and campfire permits. It seems we have some folks practicing outdoor ethics!

Do you know what outdoor adventures you’re going on this summer? What have you learned about the area? Do you need a permit? Do you need a reservation? So many questions! So much fun to plan! If you’re thinking you have all the time in the world, well winter and spring anyway, to plan your adventure; that may be true if you’re back in Nevada where the outdoors are at your whim. However, if you say…plan to hike Half Dome in Yosemite this summer and only have one weekend open to do it; you’ll need to put in for the preseason lottery by the end of March because permits are now required every day of the week.

Not without a permit.

Permit or no permit, I’m excited for this summer’s adventures and can’t wait to ponder over a map or ten! Where are you going this summer?

Happy,
Trails

Orange Peel Rocks

2012-01-26T19:07:00.000-08:00

Turns out orange peels don't decompose in California either.
Dispose of waste properly - including orange and banana peels!

-Trails

Trash or Treasure?

2012-01-20T15:32:00.000-08:00

Unfortunate or not? A somewhat common sight in Nevada's desert

Any seasoned outdoor ethics aficionado knows to ‘leave what you find’ when it comes to obvious historical artifacts such as Native American arrowheads or spear tips. We of course want all those who come behind us to have that same experience of discovery and these items are important clues to archeologists and other scientists who are attempting to learn more about our pre-history.

We also know that we need to pack out our trash, and that it is even encouraged to remove the trash of less enlightened recreationists who have come before us. But what about the gray areas… old rusty cans, glassware that doesn’t resemble anything you’ve seen on a store shelf in your lifetime or even dilapidated buildings. Spend enough time exploring Nevada’s backcountry and you are bound to run into these types of things.

I have personally been on several volunteer clean-up projects, removing trash from otherwise pristine public lands. Some of these sites that have been cleaned-up have been used on and off as dumping sites for the past 100 years. Along with the camaraderie of volunteering at these events always comes discussion about the historical value of what may be classified as trash or what may be an archeological treasure. If you have been to such an event or even if not, you may have heard of a rule that any item on public lands more than 50 years old is protected by law. The complaint I often hear, and have surely voiced myself, is that in 2012, is this law meant to protect tuna tins and soda cans discarded by disrespectful travelers in 1962?

Well, instead of continuing to complain, I did some research. The first law designed to protect national archeological treasures was the Antiquities Act of 1906. Instead of boring you with all the details of these laws, I am including links for anyone suffering from insomnia. The one thing most people agree on is that the Antiquities Act was exceptionally vague; despite this; it has resulted in many conservation successes through the years including the designation of many National Landmarks and Monuments. It also got battered in court in a few high profile cases where looters won the right to retain certain items. This led to the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 or ARPA. This law more specifically defined what resources were protected and allows criminal penalties for the taking of items which are more than 100 years old from public lands without proper permits. The third major law that comes into play for this topic is the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Along with being the act that led to the National Register of Historic Places, this law adds protection for certain items which are more than 50 years old… ah, here is the culprit for the 50 year rule.

Now, there may be room for debate on the spirit of these laws, as in 1979, 100 years old excluded much of modern European history in Nevada, but we still need to be respectful of them. Consider this; many sites in Nevada, such as certain springs, have been important to the full range of human inhabitants through the years. A 50 year old glass bottle that you find today may be unsightly, but indicates at least 50 years of use at that site. If people have been visiting a site for 50 years, they may have been for 150 years, or even 5,000 years. The 5,000 year old trash that was left behind could be buried under a few feet of sediment or bat guano in the case of Lovelock Cave. The importance of these sites can only be determined by professional archeological investigation and interpretation, so if there is ever any doubt about the trash you are picking up, remember it could lead to the discovery of a real treasure and you can always check with your local land management agency for guidance. So go, discover treasure and have fun out there!

-Juice

Granite and Pointy Trees

2012-01-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

I’m headed back to the Sierra Nevada Mountains – home of granite as far as the eye can see and pointy pine trees filled with Mountain Chickadees chirping cheese-burg-er! I got a position with the Stanislaus National Forest. While I will miss my fellow NOSers, I’m excited about this new adventure in life. Have no fear though; I’ll still be outdoor ethics blogging! We’re aiming to keep the blog Nevada-based, but I may throw in a few alpine gems from time to time.

Happy,
Trails

Pets in the Park

2012-01-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

National Parks that is. I’m a big fan of our National Parks, but now that I have a dog my ability to explore National Parks is greatly decreased. For me, the point of having a dog is to explore the great outdoors with my four-legged friend.

I understand National Parks are here to protect natural areas and the wildlife that live there, and dogs don’t really fit into their management plan. I would think keeping Aspen on a leash would be sufficient, but she’s still not allowed on hiking trails. Since my complaining on this blog isn’t going to bring about a change in this restriction, I’ll be more productive and talk about options pet owners do have for exploring the great outdoors.

If you want to explore a National Park with Fido, look into what trails are open to dogs. At Grand Canyon NP pets are allowed on trails above the rim. At Grand Teton NP certain roads are closed to motorized traffic due to snow and open for winter and spring recreation, pets are welcome in these areas. Please remember to make a good name for dog-owners and follow the regulations such as keeping your dog on a leash and cleaning up after them. If you want to venture into areas your four-legged friend isn’t allowed there are often kenneling options in the parks or in towns close by.

Aspen was able to explore the Tetons during the winter!

Another option is visit your public lands that are dog-friendly, such as Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management areas. Often they have similar natural features and a fraction of the crowds.

A note about respecting others – not everyone loves your dog as much as you do. It’s hard to believe I know; I have to remind myself of this from time to time. A good way to put this in perspective is to put yourself in their hiking boots – maybe they had a traumatic experience and are now scared of dogs or maybe they didn’t grow up around dogs and aren’t used to them. Or even if they are dog people, maybe they don’t appreciate your dog jumping all over them – I fall into that category. Either way, if you’re traveling in areas where having your dog off-leash and under voice-control is permitted respect other visitors and call your dog back when you’re approaching people on the trail. If your dog can’t contain its excitement when being around new people, recognize that and put them on a leash until the coast is clear. Now pack some doggy treats and hit the trail with your pup!

-Trails and Aspen

Destination Recreation: Galena Creek Regional Park

2011-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

In the Reno area this holiday season? Go on a winter hike or snowshoe (fingers crossed!) at Galena Creek Regional Park!

Destination: Galena Creek Regional Park
Adventurer: Ursula Unruh
Chosen Activity: Hiking the nature trails

Allure: The Galena Creek Visitor Center is newly opened and includes a weather station, exhibits, gift shop, and book store. As for the recreation area, Galena Creek has a lot to offer. There are individual picnic sites, as well as large group picnic sites. There is a wide variety of trails available: an accessible nature trail, the Jones-Whites Creek Loop Trail, and access to Mt.Rose Wilderness. Galena Creek also offers fishing at Marilyn’s Pond and summer campfire programs. There is a winter snow play hill that offers sledding as well as areas open for snowshoeing.

Other Activities: picnicking, fishing, sledding, snowshoeing, geocaching
Location: Western Nevada on Mt. Rose Hwy – SR 431, 18 miles south-west of Reno
Information: Washoe County – Galena Creek Recreation Area

Visit the Nevada Outdoor School website – Destination Recreation page to explore the rest of our favorite places to play in Nevada.

Beyond the Sagebrush

2011-12-15T10:49:00.000-08:00

Another normal day on the playa.
Jungo Flats, Nevada

Cloud Reader

2011-12-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

Imagine you’re hiking along a trail or out riding your ATV and look up to see clouds in the sky. Do you know if they mean more sunny skies ahead or impending doom is coming and you’d better get back to shelter fast? Take Backpacker’s Cloud Quiz and you will be able to predict the weather by reading the clouds. Plus, you get to view aw-inspiring photos by Michael DeYoung.

I took the quiz; I won’t remember the names of the clouds, but I’ll remember what they indicate and that’s what matters when deciding whether to press on or retreat.

Happy Cloud Reading,
Trails

Oatmeal Energy

2011-12-01T08:34:00.000-08:00

On my first few backpacking trips oatmeal was the go-to breakfast. And a power bar was my go-to snack an hour later because I was starving. This made me rethink my backpacking breakfast of choice. I opted for granola and dried milk with a bit of warm water – yummy and filling.

I recently discovered oatmeal on steroids in the pages of the September Backpacker magazine and was intrigued if it had what it took to keep me going until lunch or at least for a few hours. Here’s the recipe for power oatmeal from Backpacker:

Ingredients: 1⁄2 cup rolled oats, 3 tablespoons dried milk, 2 tablespoons wheat germ, 1⁄4 cup raisins, 1⁄4 cup almonds (or pecans), 1 tablespoon sugar, pinch of salt, 2 tablespoons almond butter

At home: Combine dry ingredients (oats, dried milk, wheat germ, raisins, nuts, sugar, and salt) in a zip-top bag. Measure almond butter into a spill-proof container or squeeze tube.

In camp: Mix dry ingredients with 1 1⁄4 cups water in a pot. Stir to combine, breaking up any dried milk lumps as the water warms. Bring to a boil and simmer for about five minutes (until most of the water is absorbed), stirring occasionally. Take off heat and mix in almond butter.

I made this at home to test it before a backpacking trip with a few substitutions: pomegranate craisins instead of raisins and crushed walnuts instead of almonds. Verdict – very filling and kept me going all morning! I can’t wait to hit the trail with this oatmeal.

What is your favorite backpacking or camping meal?

Happy,
Trails

Happy Birthday Blog!

2011-11-30T11:49:00.000-08:00

Our adventure began one year ago today! Since then we've had 3,247 page views from 10 different countries including here in the United States, to Australia, United Kingdom and Canada! Thank you to all of our frequent visitors and keep spreading the outdoor ethics word!

-Trails

The Lorax

2011-11-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Is it March yet?! I'm really excited for this to hit theaters, hopefully it makes it to Winnemucca...

Happy Turkey Day,
Trails

Earthcaches on the Playa

2011-11-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

Some of you may already be avid geocachers, but for the muggles (non-geocachers) out there…geocaching is a high-tech scavenger hunt where you use a GPS unit to find a hidden container that might be an old Altoid tin with tiny log book or an old ammo container full of goodies to swap. You can find a wealth of information about this worldwide recreation activity on geocaching.com.

Nevada Outdoor School recently published two Earthcaches allowing geocachers to follow Tread Lightly! principles as they discover the geology and ecology of the Black Rock Desert! Earthcaches are different than traditional geocaches in a few ways: there is no container to find, no log book to sign and you answer geology-related questions to prove you found the site. However, you can still log your find on geocaching.com and post photos from your visit!

Next time you’re in the Black Rock Desert find our Earthcaches:
A Beach in the Desert: GC2VFKX
Why is that rock black?: GC2VFMW

Happy hunting and please be aware of playa conditions when traveling in the Black Rock Desert, especially this time of year.

-Trails

My Newly Discovered Creature: The Banana Slug

2011-11-10T12:29:00.000-08:00

This past weekend a few NOS folks were able to attend an environmental and outdoor education workshop in Little Basin, an area of Big Basin State Park, which is near Santa Cruz, California. The workshop was fun and educational and on our last day we decided to explore the area a bit. I had been to California before, but hadn’t seen the redwoods, and it was one of my coworkers first time in California so we were excited to go exploring. We headed over to the visitor center and decided on a short trail through the redwood forest. Right before we started our hike, Trails mentioned we might come across a banana slug, something I had never heard of growing up in the Northeast. After finding out they are enormous for a slug - up to 10 inches - and bright yellow I was excited to find this new creature, but had doubts that I would be able to find one.

Low and behold about 10 minutes into the hike I stopped short. Right in front of me was a banana slug about 5-6 inches long just hanging out in the middle of the trail. Trails proceeded to ask us if we wanted to kiss it, because apparently it will make your lips numb, but we decided to pass. That got me curious though, about these crazy creatures, which look like something from a fantasy movie, so I decided to do some research.

The banana slug, which is the University of California, Santa Cruz mascot, is actually the second largest species of land slug in the world and can weigh up to as much as a ¼ lb hamburger (The Biogeography of the Banana Slug). The numbing factor has to do with their mucous, which has anesthetic properties when it comes in contact with a wet surface, such as inside a predator’s mouth, or a daring human’s lips. A way to get around this is to roll the slug in the dirt to get rid of the slime, which is a great option of a hungry raccoon, bird, or snake (Banana Slug Biology).

Some other interesting things I learned from The Biogeography of the Banana Slug:
• Banana slugs are mostly found in the Pacific Northwest and love the moist weather, which, because it had been raining all night is probably why we saw about a dozen
• Although they are land animals today, they are a mollusk and evolved from marine snails
• These slugs are pretty much loners, leaving their eggs as soon as they’re laid, and only interacting with other slugs during mating
• Mushrooms are their favorite food and they also like to feast on dead and decomposing plant and animal matter

Although I am new to this part of the country and am fascinated by a creature others may have seen their whole lives, it inspired me to take a closer look at plants and wildlife I’m familiar with. There may be something in your backyard that you don’t know much about, or maybe an animal you’ve seen your whole life; but do you really know why it lives in that environment or why it behaves the way it does? I challenge you to find out a new, interesting fact about a local creature—some things may surprise you!

Be Curious,
Annie

Winter Travel

2011-11-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

Nothing puts a damper on a winter adventure like getting stuck in the snow. Or sitting for hours on the freeway in an attempt to get over the pass. Or spinning out on black ice. Trust me – I speak from experience… Here are a few items I carry with me during the winter months to prepare for the unexpected.

Water – This is really a year-round item, but it’s important to stay hydrated! Keep in mind, frozen water is tough to drink. A potential solution – don’t leave water in your vehicle overnight.

Food – Your body can survive a surprising amount of time without food (as long as it has water), but why test that. Plus snacks can make a two-hour wait on the freeway more enjoyable.

Warm layers – If you’re stuck in your car for a long period of time, running your heater is a good way to run out of fuel. Stay warm with layers and a blanket instead.

Boots – I recall getting stuck on I-80 for an hour or so in Converse (not a snow-friendly shoe) and was glad to have boots to change into to keep my toes warm.

Gloves – Can be handy (ha!) when spending unexpected time outside your heated car, say putting chains on or shoveling snow. Glove/mitten combos are good for putting chains on when bulky gloves are getting in the way of dexterity.

Ice/snow scraper – Sometimes you just don’t have the five minutes to let your car warm up and thaw the windshield itself. Plus, let’s be honest, your car may be toasty warm when you finally get in it, but it’s not the most eco-friendly solution.

Shovel – Better than having to shovel snow with your hands! I have a collapsible shovel that fits nicely in my emergency tote.

Cat litter – Cat litter took up space in my emergency tote for two years before I put it to use. I parked in a snowy area to go on a snowshoe hike, returned to my car to leave, and the tires just spun in place packing down the snow into a slick surface. I put some cat litter behind each tire and backed right up. I’ll admit I left the cat litter there in the snow, but looking back I should have scooped up the cat litter snow and disposed of it. An alternative to cat litter is sand; it will also give you traction and I wouldn’t feel bad for having left it in a parking area.

Chains – Don’t just carry them, have the correct size for your tires, have them in an accessible place, and know how to put them on. I have an all-wheel drive vehicle and have yet to put on chains, because typically if the road is treacherous enough to require all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles to put on chains the department of transportation would simply close the road. However, get caught traveling without chains and you may look forward to a ticket that will probably cost you more than purchasing tire chains in the first place.

In addition to winterizing your emergency kit, there are a few maintenance things you can do to ready your vehicle: make sure your wiper blades are in good condition, use windshield washer fluid that is anti-freeze, and make sure your tires are in good condition.

Truck bonus – my first big experience driving in snow was when I lived in Truckee for the winter. My Toyota Tacoma’s truck bed was full of snow and I had great traction all winter. However, the next winter driving up to Kirkwood I spun out on black ice. I was baffled because little cars without 4x4 were zipping by me. Turns out the bed of my truck was too light (no bed full of snow). Sand bags are one way to add weight to the bed or your truck and to maintain traction to all four wheels.

Safe travels,
Trails

Beyond the Sagebrush

2011-10-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

With the weather getting chilly
hot springs are looking more inviting.
Soldier Meadows hot springs - Black Rock Desert, Nevada

Serious injury and even death can and have occurred at hot springs - soak responsibly.

It Starts With an S and Ends With a T

2011-10-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

While accepting last week’s Lace Up Your Boots challenge I found inspiration for this week’s blog…on the bottom of my shoe - scat. There were ridiculous amounts of scat on the Water Canyon Interpretive Trail. Scat can be an exciting sign of wildlife, but I don’t need to see signs of the last dog(s) to pass through the area.

Respecting others isn’t the only reason to pick up Fido’s scat; pet waste can pollute water sources. Some parks have pet waste bags available or you can purchase a supply at your local pet store. I have a supply of pet waste bags and find them in my coat and purse pockets like most people find used tissues – thankfully they’re unused bags. Or if you’re out backpacking and far away from a trash can, have your dog use a cat hole – ha! – bury their poop at least 200 feet from water sources and trails.

Not only is dog poop on the trail unsightly and unsanitary, it’s just plain gross. Please dispose of Fido’s scat appropriately; the bottom of my shoe appreciates it.

Now scat,
Trails

Lace Up Your Boots: Take a hike

2011-10-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our new blog series that challenges you to get outdoors. The task may be as straight forward as this week’s – go on a hike. Or as challenging as…well you’ll have to check back to see what other exciting tasks we have in store for you.

Go on a hike: your hike can be short, long, flat, straight uphill, in your local park, or a far-off destination – your choice. Let us know how it goes!

Join us for a public lands clean up!

2011-10-06T11:07:00.000-07:00

Trail Log

2011-09-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

Conserving what I love.
Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, CA

"In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught." - Baba Dioum

LNT on the TRT

2011-09-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Nevada Outdoor School partnered with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association to host a Leave No Trace Trainer Course. Not only did we cover some exciting outdoor ethics materials, but we also covered some ground! We backpacked the 22-mile section of the Tahoe Rim Trail from Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Lake. We had opportunities to practice LNT principles, including Be Considerate of Other Visitors while sharing the trail with a wealth of mountain bikers and Respect Wildlife by storing our food properly in bear boxes. Throughout the hike participants enjoyed views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and vistas of Lake Tahoe – I’ll put this trip in the success column.

Tracking our progress on the first day of our epic hike

LNT Trainers ready to impart LNT wisdom

Lighten Your Load

2011-09-15T11:43:00.001-07:00

I am about to embark on the longest backpacking trip I’ve been on – 22 miles. For some that may be a stroll, for others that might be an epic distance. Either way, that’s not a distance I want to carry 35 pounds. I’ve heard various numbers for how much your pack should weigh; including a third of your body weight, in which case I’m good to go. Recently I found a figure of 15 to 25 percent of your body weight; now my pack needs to lose at least five pounds. Here are some weight-loss ideas I put into practice:

- Swapped my camp shoes from Chacos to light-weight slip-ons. That just cut about two pounds, plus the point of camp shoes is to make less of an impact and my slip-ons have no tread left on the bottom – Mother Nature wins too.
- Traded my super-cush Thermorest for a three-quarter length lighter one.
- Lightened up on the trail mix. I always seem to hike back to the trailhead with an absurd amount of trail mix left, not this time!
- Photocopied the section of the trail we’ll be hiking, instead of packing the map of the entire Tahoe Basin.
- Removed the day-pack attachment; we’ll be through-hiking so there was no need for a day-pack besides to add extra weight.
- Combined educational materials. This is a Leave No Trace Trainer Course, which adds instructional materials to my pack weight. I ditched the clips and rubber bands and combined everything in one sandwich bag.
- Opted for a down-feather sleeping bag. Ok, this was done a long time ago because my synthetic sleeping bag weighed five pounds and took up a third of my pack space. My down bag weighs half of that and compresses significantly smaller.

What good did all of that do me? Eight pounds! I’m much more excited about this trip now that I’m only carrying 27 pounds. Pick up a copy of Lighten Up! A complete handbook for Light & Ultralight backpacking by Don Ladigin for ideas on lightening your pack. Illustrations are by Mike Clelland, who also did the illustrations for Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Backpackin’ Book.

The best way to find out strategies for light backpacking is through experience and the experienced. How have you cut pack weight?

-Trails

National Public Lands Day

2011-09-07T15:39:00.000-07:00

NPLD is coming up! Join public land managers near you to lend a hand during the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands. There are opportunities across the United States – find one close to you at PublicLandsDay.org. Or join us for an event!

September 16th – 18th
Join Nevada Outdoor School along with a few of our partners: Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Friends of Black Rock High Rock, and the Bureau of Land Management, for a weekend of education, fellowship, and restoration in the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon-Emigrant Trails-National Conservation Area. A variety of restoration projects will be completed on this trip, including “KTM campground” clean up and spring monitoring. Families are encouraged to attend; NOS will provide youth programs during the restoration events. Give us a call at the office for more information 775-623-5656.

NPLD Kids’ Camp 2010

September 23rd – 25th
Join Friends of Nevada Wilderness and the USDA Forest Service - Santa Rosa Ranger District in the Santa Rosa-Paradise Peak Wilderness for a trail-maintenance backpacking trip. Contact Wes at Wes@NevadaWilderness.org or 775-324-7667 for details.

Destination Recreation: Lamoille Canyon

2011-09-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

Our education staff is gearing up for our annual fifth-grade field trip to Lamoille Canyon; we think you should venture out to this glacier-carved granite-fest too!

Destination: Lamoille Canyon
Adventurer: Shelby Hollmaier
Chosen Activity: Rock climbing and enjoying the scenery

Allure: Close enough for a day trip, but far enough to "get away" Lamoille Canyon is a beautiful location for a variety of outdoor recreation. There's something for every adventurer whether you're looking for a few days hiking the backcountry or a few hours picnicking by the river. Rock climbers will love the vast array of faces available for both trad and sport climbing or bouldering with well maintained hardware.

Other Activities: hiking, backpacking, camping, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, photography, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling
Location: North-eastern Nevada, twenty miles south-east of Elko off Lamoille Highway
Information:
America’s Byways – Lamoille Canyon Road
Nevada Rock Climbing
USDA Forest Service – Ruby Mountains Ranger District
Nevada Adventures – Lamoille Canyon

Visit the Nevada Outdoor School website – Destination Recreation page to explore the rest of our favorite places to play in Nevada.

Beyond the Sagebrush

2011-08-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

Use your imagination to find shapes in
Valley of Fire State Park

Trekking the Sierras

2011-08-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Last week I was at Meadow Lake, near Truckee, California, for Sierra Trek, one of the largest fundraisers for the California Association of 4WD Clubs, Inc. aka Cal 4-Wheel. This event has various types of runs from the extremely-challenging Fordyce Trail to SUV runs over easier terrain. There are also activities at base camp for all ages including a log sawing contest, a canoe race, and live music. All of this takes place with the gorgeous Sierra Nevadas as a backdrop.

Four-wheeling is the reason I am outdoorsy today. Some may be surprised that I love this recreation activity for a lot of the same reasons folks love to hike or bike – camaraderie, scenery, adrenaline, and fresh air. I wanted to give you a better idea of what four-wheeling is about, because when we tell friends and family that we’re taking the Jeep to go four-wheeling they think dirt roads. Well sure, we drive down dirt roads to get to the big-rocky trails. Since pictures are worth a 1,000 words, I figure I’d save you some reading and put together a photo essay of sorts instead.

Rigs (Jeeps, Broncos, trucks, etc) on the Fordyce Trail

Spotters help guide drivers on
tougher spots along the trail

We pack out trash too -
including banana peels!

Getting some air at the top of Winch Hill 5 -
this is where that adrenaline comes in

Working our muscles during the log sawing contest

The ice cream truck testing its flexibility on the RTI Ramp -
Ramp Travel Index, hosted b the Joaquin Jeepers

How do you trek the Sierras?
Trails

Buckaroo Dutch Oven Cook-Off

2011-08-09T15:29:00.000-07:00

When you’re outdoors an exciting way to cook is with a Dutch Oven. Want to see the process? Join us for Nevada Outdoor School’s 3rd Annual Buckaroo Dutch Oven Cook-Off where experienced and beginner cooks come together to enjoy a day of friendly-competitive cooking. You can taste-test your way to a new dish to try on your next outdoor adventure. Already have some experience in the outdoor kitchen? Heat up your Dutch Oven(s) and show us what you’ve got at the Cook–Off on August 27th. Family, friends, and the local community will all enjoy this relaxing day of fun-filled cooking and tasting. Come and join the friendly competition to find out who has the best cooking techniques in the area.

There will be two categories to register in either Bean Master, cooks a main dish and dessert, or Chuck Wagon, which cooks a main dish. Each category will have separate tasting and a panel of judges to decide the winner. There will also be an overall People’s Choice award that will receive a trophy and be judged by the public. Cash prizes of $200 and $100 for winners!People’s Choice Award – You be the Judge! Taste many different Dutch Oven dishes when participating in the People Choice Award. For a suggested $10 donation, that includes all utensils needed to taste, a drink and five tickets to use for voting this year’s winner. The first 100 participants will receive a commemorative cup.

For inspiration on a dish to cook check out this Fizzy Fruit Cobbler recipe from DutchOvenDude.com. There are so many yummy recipes to choose from it is hard to pick just one!

Fizzy Fruit Cobbler Dutch Oven Recipe

Ingredients: Apple pie filling, 1 box yellow cake mix, 1/2 can 7-Up, 1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Directions: Any combination of flavors that sound good to you can be tried. This example is apple, yellow cake, and cinnamon. Another might be cherry filling, chocolate cake, and powdered sugar. Or, blueberry filling, white cake, and grape soda.

Line the dutch oven with aluminum foil to make clean up easier if you aren't adverse to doing that. Pour the fruit filing into the bottom of the D.O. Sprinkle the cake mix on top of the filing - do not stir it. Pour the soda on top of the mix from a low height so it does not splatter all over. With a fork, mix the soda into the cake mix, being careful not to mix it into the filling too much - a little is ok. When the cake mix is stirred, sprinkle cinnamon on top. Cook for 45 minutes at 325 degrees.

Light your fires!
Bug Dust

Get to Know an Invasive Species: Cheatgrass

2011-08-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Cheatgrass - as far as the eye can see.

Everyone has run into this pesky invasive species. It sticks to your socks and shoes and even in your dog’s paws. It raids lawns and gardens. This invasive species has taken over numerous beautiful areas in Nevada; including Water Canyon, a local recreation area. The abundance of cheatgrass takes away from the native landscape. Good luck getting rid of this plant now; it will just keep taking over. In Nevada cheatgrass is a huge issue and it is difficult to control.

Cheatgrass
photo courtesy of Steve Dewey,
Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Some ways to indentify cheatgrass:

- Stems are slender and several inches tall
- Leaf sheaths and blades are covered in short, soft hairs
- Leaves can be up to eight inches long
- Root is finely divided into fibrous roots
- Cheatgrass is annual, meaning it completes its lifecycle in one year
- Invades rangelands, prairies, and pastures; widespread in Pershing, Humboldt (lucky us!), Lander, and Eureka counties
- Potential to completely alter the ecosystem it invades by replacing native vegetation and changing fire regimes; burns very fast and hot

Some ways to control this pesky plant is frequent mowing or tillage, fire under controlled conditions (let’s leave that to the land managers though!) You can help stop the spread of this invasive by washing vehicles and ATVs after an outdoor adventure, shaking your tent out, and bathing your pets. If everyone lends a hand this invasive species it can be controlled.

- Nemo

Got Water?

2011-07-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

Now that spring has sprung and the summer heat is really starting to kick in, let’s take a look at a few additions to our essential outdoor-adventure gear.

Water – Alright, this one was on the original list, but it’s even more important now since your usual water sources may be dried up or contaminated beyond your water filter’s ability from grazing livestock. You should carry two to six quarts of water per day depending on your exertion level and the length of your trip. A good way to check if you’re staying hydrated – check the color of your urine, it should be colorless or pale yellow. This may not be the easiest thing to do when you’re out in nature peeing on the ground, but do your best. Also note that water alone won’t do the trick. If you drink too much water without replacing electrolytes you risk suffering from hyponatremia – a fancy word for a life-threatening condition where there is not enough sodium in your body fluids. Quick fix – munch on some trail mix with salty peanuts every hour.

Don't forget to add these summer essentials to your pack!

Sunglasses – Protect your eyes from sunburn. Seriously, this is actually possible. How do I know this you ask? Because I did exactly that while snowboarding due to the bright sun reflecting off the bright snow, but the summer sun can do the deed as well.

Brimmed hat – Added protection for your head, ears, and neck. I don’t know about you ladies, but sunburning the part in my hair is THE WORST!

Bandana – A great multi-functional tool to get wet and wrap around your neck or over your head to keep cool.

Sunscreen – I know this is another repeat, but I wanted to include it for those I-don’t-need-to-wear-sunscreen-because-I-don’t-burn types. Avoid skin cancer; all the cool kids are doing it.

Breathable clothing – Add light-colored to that description as well. This will help protect your skin from the sun and cuts down on evaporative sweat loss. Plus if we want to get more scientifically sweaty, loose-fitting clothing encourages airflow and cools the skin through convection.

I’ll add one more item to my backpack, and that is an umbrella. This UV ray-shielding device isn’t just for rain folks. You’ll be thankful you packed it when the only natural shade you can find is under a sage brush.

Happy Hydrating!

Trails

Trail Log

2011-07-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

View from Steamboat Rock in the Black Rock Desert

"To say nothing is out here is incorrect; to say the desert is stingy with everything except space and light, stone and earth is closer to the truth." - William Least Heat Moon

Wanted: Campfire Dead Out

2011-07-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

As more folks head into nature for camping trips we want to provide a friendly reminder - never leave your campfire unattended and when you're done make sure it is dead out, these G.I. Joes and Jane won't always be around to help you out.

Destination Recreation: Jarbidge Wilderness

2011-07-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Now that the snow is finally starting to melt it’s time to venture into the high country for a backpacking trip!

Destination: Jarbidge Wilderness
Adventurer: Erin Gray
Chosen Activity: Camping and relaxing by a beautiful alpine lake

Allure: Nevada's first designated wilderness in 1964, this area receives the government’s highest possible rating for air quality and is home to a lush diversity of plant species not often found in Nevada. Jarbidge Wilderness, part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, has many rugged mountain peaks greater than 10,000 feet, several alpine lakes, crystal-clean streams, and is home to a host of wildlife including elk, owl, mountain lion, and coyote. A good network of trails access remote backcountry areas; hike through pine forests, sage and alpine meadows while enjoying the natural splendor all around. Watch out for man-eating spirits according to local Shoshone legends; Jarbidge does come from a native word roughly translated as weird beastly creature or devil. However, after seeing the place for myself, I think that legend was probably meant to scare everyone else away and keep this stunningly beautiful place for the locals alone.

Other Activities: hunting, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, checking out historical mining areas, getting away from it all
Location: Buy a good map – this is in remote northern Elko County Nevada. For Jarbidge townsite and trailhead access, take Mountain City Highway north from Elko, turn right on Elko County Rd 746 to Charleston, head north on local Forest Service road to Jarbidge. The scenery on the drive alone is worth it. Bring what you need, limited supplies available in Jarbidge.
Information:
USDA Forest Service – Jarbidge Wilderness
Community of Jarbidge, Nevada

Visit the Nevada Outdoor School website – Destination Recreation page to explore the rest of our favorite places to play in Nevada.

Plan Ahead, Prepare, and Adapt

2011-06-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

Last weekend’s trainer course had a slight change of plans from Lamoille Canyon due to treacherous water crossings from the mass amounts of snow and rain we got this winter. Thankfully this was figured out during the scouting trip instead of when there was a line of participants waiting behind me on the trail at an impassable water crossing – Leave No Trace principle number one: Plan Ahead and Prepare!

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces –
practicing off-trail travel by dispersing their
impact to avoid creating a trail

Even with the change of plans, the course was a huge success with 13 participants, exciting presentations, thought-provoking activities, and a chance to put new-found knowledge to use. We ended up exploring our own backyard by backpacking into Water Canyon. Here are a few highlights from the course!

Dispose of Waste Properly – participants had a
problem or solution taped to their forehead and
had to find their match by asking yes or no questions

Nevada's latest batch of LNT Trainers!

See you on the trail!

Trails

ATV Rider Camp

2011-06-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

Eight participants revved their engine for ATV Rider Camp earlier this week! Nevada Outdoor School and Humboldt County Cooperative Extension 4-H Program hosted a three-day camp for local youth to learn safe riding habits, Tread Lightly! ethics, and basic first aid skills. The first two days were at the fairgrounds and full of activities including talks from local ATV shop owners, pop-up obstacles, outdoor ethics dash, a poster project, and more. On the third day, campers were able to bring their ATVs to the Winnemucca sand dunes and practice safe ATV riding habits.

Rider practices his quick turns during camp

We would like to give a special thanks to Jim White, owner of Snowstorm Sports; Jeff Thompson, owner of Ravenswood; and Northern Nevada ATV Association for their generous help with ATV Rider Camp.

Campers display their posters that showed off what they
learned at camp

Beyond the Sagebrush

2011-06-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

A moment of quiet on Lake Tahoe during our
sixth grade Sierra Summit Camp

2011 Rendezvous Snap Shots

2011-06-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

Playa moonboots after a morning of rain

This year’s Black Rock Rendezvous was full of excitement – including a bit of inclement weather. However, thanks to planning ahead and preparing, our partners were able to weather the storm and continue the festivities by relocating camp off the playa to higher ground.

Gorgeous view from our second camp at Cassidy Mine

Leaving No Trace in Lamoille Canyon

2011-05-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Favre Lake - our destination

Fish your backpack out of your gear closet and come learn more about Leave No Trace (LNT) and teaching techniques while exploring Nevada granite wonderland. Nevada Outdoor School is hosting an LNT Trainer Course Saturday, June 25 through Monday the 27 in Ruby Mountain’s Lamoille Canyon.

We will explore the various principles of LNT while enjoying a three-day, two-night backpacking trip. Each participant will give a short presentation on an assigned principle; this is a great way to practice your teaching techniques and get ideas from fellow LNTers.

Visit http://www.nevadaoutdoorschool.org/ for more information and to register. Sign up now – this course is filling up fast.

On the road for Tread Lightly!

2011-05-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

Two of Nevada Outdoor School’s own are spreading the Tread Lightly! message throughout eastern Nevada. We’re visiting third through sixth grade classes in Ely, Pioche, Panaca, and Caliente. Through these lessons students are learning the importance of leaving what they find (except trash!), ATV safety, being prepared for outdoor adventures, and invasive species.

It is important to reach out to these rural communities with Tread Lightly! because a majority of the students partake in off-highway vehicle recreation; we want them to be safe and take care of nature while recreating. This is the second year NOS has toured eastern Nevada and we aim to continue this outreach in the future.

Bringing State History to Life

2011-05-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

Students get to go into Lovelock Cave

Nevada Outdoor School and the Bureau of Land Management brought state history to life for more than 300 fourth graders last week. This annual field trip included educational stations at Lovelock Cave and the Marzen House Museum. This experience is beneficial to fourth graders for many reasons, one of them being sparking that outdoor ethic within students.

Prior to the trip NOS instructors visited classrooms to help students explore the importance of the Leave No Trace principle – Leave What You Find. It was rewarding to hear students remind each other – and chaperones – to leave rocks and other natural treasures where they found them.

Spark your outdoor ethic by visiting your local public lands!

Tread Lightly! on the Dunes

2011-05-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

Nevada Outdoor School congratulates nine new Tread Trainers from Northern Nevada ATV Association. On May 1 we met at the Winnemucca Sand Dunes to explore the Tread Lightly! principles, discover the role of outdoor ethics in the recreation community, and learn about the tools to conduct workshops and outreach. During the training, we put the principle Do Your Part into practice by cleaning up the camping and staging area. Time was also taken to practice responsible riding on our off-highway vehicles. Overall, it was a successful day!

Three new Tread Trainers analyze the
What Motivates You? activity

Tread Trainer Courses are great opportunities to delve into outdoor ethics while experiencing them first hand. If you are interested in attending a trainer course e-mail me at jen.stockton@nevadaoutdoorschool.org.

-Trails

Beyond the Sagebrush

2011-04-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

Shadow on the Playa
Black Rock Desert, Nevada

Defacing Tribal Lands = Closed Areas

2011-04-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

Recent vandalism prompted the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council to close the area near the pyramid tufa rock and Tribal Route #5 access road as of April 15 to the general public until further notice.

Pyramid Lake is an area of cultural importance and in general a natural area. Not to sound too demeaning, but what do we do with things we find in nature? Leave them how we found them! I don’t appreciate graffiti in general, but graffiti on natural objects really irks me because we can’t just paint over it to get rid of it.

NOSers visiting Pyramid Lake

View the press release from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe for more details and photos of the vandalism.

Let’s take care of the outdoors so we can continue to enjoy our natural areas and remember to leave what you find. Unless you find litter - you can pick up litter.

Invasion of the Impact Monsters

2011-04-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

These first two weeks of April have been a whirlwind of outdoor ethics lessons. We prepared all of Winnemucca’s fifth graders for their trout release field trip in Water Canyon by discovering the damage impact monsters can have on their favorite outdoor place and then deciding what essentials they needed to pack for their adventure. On Monday, the 11th we saw all 225 plus students again when they visited our Camp Ohno station during the event to see if they remembered the proper way to camp.

The Tread Monster revving to learn

Plus, all of Battle Mountain’s elementary school students, kindergarten through sixth grade, are now well versed in Tread Lightly! Our lessons incorporated tread monsters, trash timelines, guessing games, a beach ball, invasive species, and more. Few students had heard of Tread Lightly before our visit, but with these annual lessons, students will build upon their new-found knowledge and develop responsible outdoor ethics!

Trail Log

2011-04-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

Trout Release Day in Water Canyon - 2010

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

Midnight Bandits and Poison Oak

2011-03-31T15:31:00.000-07:00

I visited scenic Big Sur last week; along with weathering the storm and Highway 1 falling into the ocean, we battled midnight bandits and poison oak.

Note to self - throw trash
away before getting into tent

Apparently bear country isn’t the only place you want to secure your food – ice chest included. I woke to find food wrappers strewn about camp from dare devil squirrels that ripped into our hanging trash bag. Then there was the unpleasant discovery that they also managed to open my ice chest and contaminate my food with plague and/or rabies cooties. I’ll take the blame for the trash, but my ice chest?! Crafty little buggers… Let our mistake be your lesson, even when you think your food is safe from bears, another critter is lurking behind a bush waiting for you to let your guard down, so store it in your car or if there are storage boxes provided even better.

Poison Oak along the trail

Then there was the relentless poison oak – bordering campsites and encroaching on trails with its urushiol oil just begging to reach out and give you an itchy rash. I have a few tips based on my week of experience with this itchy-oilfest of a plant. 1) Long pants! I’d much rather deal with getting the poison oak oil off my pants than off my legs. 2)The leaves aren’t the only part of the plant that is poisonous – bare stems have oil as well. 3) If you come in contact with poison oak wash ASAP with COLD water; warm water opens your pours and allows the oils in. I’ve heard dish soap works well to break down the oil, but when I touched the plant with my hand I was happy to have Tecnu. Tecnu attaches to the oils and rinses off with cold water, to be on the safe side I treated my hand twice. 4) Another helpful hint that is relevant in all outdoor ethic situations - stay on the trail. You help protect nature and stay out of poison oak – win win! If you don’t have poison oak in your area, a lot of these tips are valid for other rash-inducing plants

McWay Falls

Even though we dealt with midnight bandits and poison oak I promise we did have fun. We had great views (when the clouds and fog lifted), rehydrated (pruney from the mass amounts of rain), crowd free (not many folks are as crazy as us), and tick free (I think…)!

-Trails

Destination Recreation: Cathedral Gorge

2011-03-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

For this installment of Destination Recreation we’re escaping the cold northern Nevada and heading south for a warmer climate.

A truly unique place in Nevada

Destination: Cathedral Gorge State Park
Adventurer: Sven Svenington
Chosen Activity: Hopping around in the cave-like formations

Allure: Cathedral Gorge is truly a hidden gem. The bentonite clay formations are awe-inspiring; their cathedral-like spires are what the park is named for. My favorite place to explore is the narrow slots between the formations called the “caves” area; it’s like entering a new world – plus the 10-degree temperature drop is an oasis from the scorching-summer sun. On top of that, the park is full of cryptobiotic soil – so many tiny micro-organisms hard at work! There’s a scenic overlook of the canyon with panoramic views; from there you can walk down the staircase into the canyon and explore the land formations close-up. If you doubt how enchanting this place is, just look at my smiling face!

Hoping around the
cave-like formations

Other Activities: hiking, photography, camping, nature study, not busting the crust, ranger programs, geocaching
Location: Eastern Nevada on US 93, two miles north of Panaca
Information: Nevada State Parks – Cathedral Gorge

Visit the Nevada Outdoor School website – Destination Recreation page to explore the rest of our favorite places to play in Nevada.

Adventure Essentials

2011-03-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

I have been busy this week at a First Responder course, which will prepare me for medical emergencies on the trail during outdoor programs this summer. This got me thinking about what essentials are needed on an outdoor adventure to be prepared for the unexpected. These items are essential to your survival should your day hike turn into an unforeseen over-nighter (in no particular order):

Headlamp – You wait to see the sunset from the top of a mountain and then are stuck navigating the way back to your car in the fading light. Good thing you brought your trusty headlamp (with working batteries!).

What a pretty sunset.
Time to get out my headlamp!

First-aid kit – Your boot is rubbing your foot the wrong way - ultralight first-aid kit to the rescue! You should know how to treat wilderness injuries including blisters, sprained ankles, cuts, or whatever other misadventures you may get into. Contact your local outdoor organization or visit REI to find out about wilderness first aid courses in your area.

Sunblock – You’re hiking on an exposed ridge with the sun beating down on you, good thing you packed the sunscreen to stave off a nasty sunburn.

Food – You were just going on a two-mile hike, but accidently took a wrong turn and your hike turned into a five-mile trip; now your stomach is making noises that are scaring off the wildlife. No worries, you packed a couple of power bars. My personal favorite is Clif’s Peanut Butter Pretzel Mojo Bar.

Fire – That accidental five-mile hike actually turned into an overnighter and temperatures are dropping. It’s ok though, you brought a lighter and fire starter*, now if only you’d brought marshmallows…

Knife – So many scenarios…need to cut moleskin* from your first aid kit, open a can of chicken to add to your rice, turn your shirt sleeve into toilet paper, cut a length of cord, etc. A little multi-tool can be your new best friend.

Water – You packed a water reservoir* and bottle since it was going to be a hot day. Too bad your reservoir has been leaking since the start of the trail two-miles ago. You get out your water treatment system at the next water crossing and fill up; making sure the lid is secure this time. You can bring a water filter or treatment tablets just in case you’re in need of water and want to avoid giardia*.

Insulation – You’re ready for the high temperatures of the high desert, but you also remember that the nights can be cold, so you pack an insulation layer such as a puffy jacket or a fleece.

Navigation – You packed your GPS to guide you along the trial, but there are so many trees it can’t get a signal. Have no fear, you don’t rely on technology so you brought a map and compass – trek on!

Raingear – The day started off with blue skies and birds welcoming you into the mountains with their song. Clouds began appearing at midday and are now looming over the next ridge threatening to dump mass amounts of precipitation on you. Little does Mother Nature know you packed your waterproof jacket. If you don’t want to shell out the money for a rain jacket that is actually affective – a garbage bag makes an excellent poncho, just don’t forget to make the head hole before you put it on!

Now that your essentials are packed, visit Backpacker’s online skills section and get lost in the tutorials and expert advice. Think you’re a survival expert already? See how you would fair with their quiz - Would You Survive?

-Trails

*Technical Vocabulary
Fire Starter – There are a lot of commercial fire starters out there, or you can saturate a cotton ball with petroleum jelly. Wash out a film canister and store your homemade fire starters in the canister. Good luck finding a film canister these days though…
Moleskin – Combine this artificial skin/band aid on steroids with duct tape and no blister stands a chance.
Water Reservoir – Think IV bag filled with water in your backpack; that’s actually how CamelBak, the leading maker of hydration solutions, got its start.
Giardia – Steer clear of this diarrhea-stomach-crampfest disguised as a water-borne pathogen.

No Child Left on the Indoor Wood Couch

2011-03-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

There is a wealth of programs and ideas - Last Child in the Woods, No Child Left Indoors, No Child Left on the Couch - aimed at inspiring today’s youth to get off the couch, away from video games, and into nature – and for good reason. Today’s average child spends 44 hours per week staring at some kind of electronic screen. These same children are less fit and have less stamina then children of past generations. Obesity is an enormous problem among Americans, including children. The rate of obesity in children aged 6 to 11 has more than doubled in the past 20 years, to 17 percent. For ages 12 to 19 the rate of clinical obesity has more than tripled to 17.6 percent. These statistics are from a 2009 National Wildlife Federation publication, Time Out: Using the Outdoors to Enhance Classroom Performance.

Exploring nature with NOS at the
Black Rock Rendezvous Kids Camp

Now let’s take a look at the numerous benefits of being outdoors. Children who play outside are more creative; they explore nature and use their imagination to come up with games and role-plays rather than let technology do the “work” for them. Being outdoors allows children to be more physically active, enhances their ability to learn and retain knowledge. In a nutshell, free play outdoors improves children’s mental and physical health.

Another added bonus is that spending time outdoors helps children develop conservation ethics. I grew up four-wheeling across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, swimming in alpine lakes, and climbing on granite boulders. These experiences shaped who I am today and sparked my passion for enjoying and conserving the great outdoors. Everyone needs that connection to nature for personal benefits and for Mother Nature’s benefits.

Here are a few ideas to help get you and your family off the couch and into the great outdoors:

Nevada Outdoor School – For those of you in northern Nevada, come explore nature with us during our exciting summer camps and programs.
REI’s Family Adventure Program – Start by downloading their free Kid’s Adventure Journal full of outdoor games and activities.
Children & Nature Network – Working to reconnect children with nature, look here to find a nature event near you or find a group to get involved with.
Be Out There – Lots of activities for your child’s Green Hour.
Visit Your Local Recreation Area – A lot of recreation areas have youth programs. For example, your child can become a Junior Ranger with a National Park.

Beyond the Sagebrush

2011-03-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
Ely, Nevada

Respect Our OHV Access

2011-02-24T11:33:00.000-08:00

To put it simply – roads and trails are temporarily closed for a reason.

During winter and spring many dirt roads and trails are closed to vehicles. Use of wet roads and trails contributes to costly trail damage, erosion, and sedimentation of streams. These negative impacts can be easily avoided by allowing roads and trails time to sufficiently dry, ensuring quality recreational opportunities in the future.

Also, winter is a sensitive time for wildlife; their resources are scarce and they need to conserve their energy. Motorized vehicles may disturb wildlife, causing them to exert what little energy they have, leaving them exposed to predators and harsh winter elements.

Respect seasonal closures or risk losing access

By no means am I telling you to lock your ATV or OHV away for the winter, just know there are other places to ride during these wet months. Visit sand-based recreation areas where you actually get better traction in damp conditions, such as Sand Mountain or visit Sand Dune Guide for information on dunes across the country. Another option - put in for vacation time and plan a road trip to drier climates in southwestern states.

Do you have any suggestions on riding in the winter and spring? We’d love to hear them!

-Trails

Destination Recreation: Sand Mountain

2011-02-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

Start your engines for this installment of Destination Recreation! We’re visiting Sand Mountain before the summer heat arrives.

4,759 acres of awesome riding

Destination: Sand Mountain Recreation Area Adventurer: Jen Stockton
Chosen Activity: Riding my all-terrain vehicle (ATV)

Allure: My family travels to Sand Mountain for Thanksgiving where we spend the holiday speeding around on the sand, exploring the trails, and deep frying our turkey for dinner. Sand Mountain is nearly 600 feet tall, which may be intimidating to some, but there are riding options for all skill levels. You can venture to the top and ride in the super bowl (a giant bowl in the sand that you can circle at top speeds), stick to the lower and mellower dunes, or delve into the trail system that journeys into the high desert. I love visiting Sand Mountain, not only for the riding, but for the quality time spent with family and friends sitting around the fire, playing board games, and enjoying each other’s company. Recently, my brother and I turned our old snowboards into sandboards and tried boarding down the slopes. We still need some work…but let me tell you – if you sit on the boards like a sled they FLY! On that note, I would recommend a helmet for both sandboarding and riding ATVs – safety first!

The Super Bowl - Enter if you dare!

Other Activities: off-highway vehicle riding, hiking, sandboarding, camping, exploring the Pony Express station, photography, geocaching
Location: Central Nevada on US 50, 25 miles east of Fallon
Information: Bureau of Land Management – Sand Mountain Recreation Area Dune Guide – Sand Mountain

Visit the Nevada Outdoor School website – Destination Recreation page to explore the rest of our favorite places to play in Nevada.

National Park Fee Free Days

2011-02-14T08:50:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars and pack your bags! The National Park Service has announced their fee free admission days for 2011:
- January 15-17 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday weekend) – keep in mind for next year
- April 16-24 (National Park Week)
- June 21 (First day of summer)
- September 24 (Public Lands Day)
- November 11-13 (Veterans Day weekend)

Sven Svenington enjoying Great Basin NP

If you’re strapped for cash and none of those dates fit into your schedule, here’s a helpful hint – many of our 394 national parks never charge an entrance fee, including Nevada’s own Great Basin National Park. Another option, if you volunteer with a National Public Lands Day conservation event you earn a free public lands pass!

Think Outdoorsy, Act Locally

2011-02-10T14:47:00.000-08:00

One act of vandalism leads too...

Back in December I vented about a vandalized trailhead restroom – see Winter Hike Interrupted – recently, I was excited to hear the Bureau of Land Management was able to repair the damage! However, my excitement was rudely interrupted when my informant’s sentence was finished with, “but now it’s covered in paintball shots…”

I ventured up to Water Canyon to take a look at the damage myself and along the way found tree vandalism as well. Some of this vandalism was not deemed appropriate for this blog; I’ll let your imagination figure out what was carved into one particular tree.

...more vandalism.

If you’re like me, you’re probably a little disheartened right now. But turn that frown upside down and ask yourself – what can I do to help my local recreation areas? The answer – lots!

- Carry a trash bag with you on a hike and pick up litter along the way.

- Stay on the designated trails. It is much easier to avoid creating a user trail than to erase one.

- If you see vandalism, report it to the land manager.

- Lend a hand during a land stewardship event. Contact your local conservation organization for information or look for a local event in correlation with National Public Lands Day.

- Join a Friends Group or another local organization; these groups adopt recreation areas to help conserve our resources. A couple of the Friends groups we partner with are Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Friends of Black Rock High Rock.

- Spread awareness by voicing your concerns with a letter to the editor of a local newspaper.

Volunteers removed a few tons of trash from the
Black Rock Desert on National Public Lands Day

I feel that it’s important to take care of all recreation areas; but while National Parks belong to everyone across the country; local parks belong to you and your neighbors. I would argue that we need to take even more pride in these recreation areas and help conserve our local resources so our community can continue to enjoy them.

Do you have more ideas to help protect your local resources? We’d love to hear them!

-Trails

Principles, Powder, and a Porcupine

2011-02-03T15:52:00.000-08:00

Principle presentation -
Leave What You Find

Nevada Outdoor School’s winter Leave No Trace (LNT) Trainer Course was filled with exciting adventures. Six participants joined us in the Sierra Nevadas to explore outdoor ethics and learn how to help spread the LNT message to others.

On Saturday, the first day of the two-day course, we ventured into the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe to snowshoe and take a closer look at a few of the LNT principles. Each course participant was responsible for presenting one of the LNT principles and for facilitating a hands-on activity with the group to reinforce what folks had learned. In addition to learning new information, a number of folks strapped on a pair of snowshoes for the first time; judging by the smiles on their faces, it won’t be their last!

Snowshoe hike near Lake Tahoe

The skies opened up Saturday night and dumped about nine inches of powder on us, making for great snowshoeing conditions. Sunday morning we finished the last of our principle presentations and went out for one more hike. While taking a break under a tree I noticed a pile of an animal’s business, (whatever had been there had not been disposing of their waste properly) I glanced and noticed an unidentifiable object nestled in the branches, I immediately tried to piece it all together… was it a birds nest? A clump of dirt with pine needles poking out of it? Whoa! It was a porcupine! My first encounter with a porcupine and it happened to be in dangerous canon-ball striking distance. I preferred to leave the hike quill-free so I checked to make sure we were following the LNT Rule of Thumb (remaining a respectful distance from wildlife), took a few quick snapshots, and moved on.

Leave No Trace Trainer Courses are great opportunities to delve into outdoor ethics while experiencing them first hand. If you are interested in joining us this summer for a trainer course e-mail me at jen.stockton@nevadaoutdoorschool.org.

LNT Rule of Thumb - Respect Porcupines

-Trails

Bigfoot's Library: A Really Cool Backpackin’ Book

2011-01-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

I grew up hiking, but the idea of strapping on a 30-pound backpack and hiking around did not looking appealing at first glance, until Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Backpackin’ Book: Traveling & camping skills for a wilderness environment!

When I was in college I worked at our campus bookstore and shelved this book written by Allen O’Bannon with illustrations by Mike Clelland. When the text department was slow I would find myself wandering over to the Physical Education section and leafing through pages of backpacking tips and tricks. I would get distracted from other tasks by all of the fun and informative illustrations in this book. Later I looked up what class PHED 121 was, and what do you know – Backpacking. I signed up for the class the next semester.

Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Backpackin’ Book covers information from equipment to travel techniques and trip planning to weathering a lighting storm. Plus, there’s a whole section on pooping in the woods. This is a popular topic among trail-traveled backpackers; but a potentially embarrassing topic for newbies, so no worries, with this section you’ll really know your scat. *wink*

This book is incredibly informative for those new to backpacking and veterans looking for new ideas. It’s not your typical learn-about-backpacking book; it has a sense of humor. When I was reading it, I felt like I was getting advice from a trail-savvy friend instead of getting lectured by a backpacking know-it-all. Plus, did I mention I love the illustrations in this book? I’m a visual person, so technical reading slogged down with text can be a snooze-fest for me. This was nothing like that, the illustrations combined with the conversational writing style, in my opinion, gives this book five trekking poles, or hiking boots, or some other clever rating system for backpacking books.

-Trails

Respect on the Slopes – Don’t Be That Guy

2011-01-20T15:49:00.000-08:00

Over any given non-holiday weekend, about 4,000 people hit the slopes to enjoy the snow and sun at Mt. Rose Ski Area. Six chair-lifts carry these 4,000 people to 60 plus trails that cover the mountain. Considering Mt. Rose boasts that it is Tahoe’s best kept secret - think of the mass amounts of people found at the more crowded Tahoe ski areas. Respect on the slopes is crucial for everyone’s safety and sanity.

Busy ski area lift lines

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) and partners have created a safety initiative campaign aimed to reduce the frequency of accidents on the slopes. The safety code can be found in ski area maps, on the NSAA website, and right here:

Your Responsibility Code

1. Always stay in control.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
7. Know how to use the lifts safely.

Here are a few additional tips that will help you make friends and stay safe on the slopes:

- Clear the unloading area quickly. There isn’t much room for unloading from a lift and clusters of people are asking for a collision. If you need to cross in front of the unloading area do it fast and time your crossing. I’ll emphasize this one since my shoulder still hurts from a crash with a kid last weekend as I was getting off the lift. After we were both picked up the mountain-man of a lift operator (not so) kindly informed the upset little kid that the crash was ALL his fault and to get out of the way. I’m pretty sure the kid is scarred for life, but I bet he won’t hang out in the unloading area anymore!

- Be considerate in the lift line. Don’t cut people off and for-the-love-of-a-blue-bird-day, don’t tailgate people in line! Bumping into the person’s skis or board in front of you isn’t going to get you on the chair any quicker.

- Don’t stop in the center of a trail. You’re asking to get run over by someone bombing down the hill. Taking a break or waiting for your friend on the side of the run is a much better option.

- Wear a helmet. You might think you’re completely in control and safe, but what about the out-of-control skier or boarder that runs into you, causes you to hit your head, and BAM – concussion or worse. Plus, trees are not forgiving and neither is packed snow.

Snowshoeing near Mt. Rose Summit

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing have the same responsibility code to follow, but I’ll add a tip here as well. Help maintain the integrity of ski tracks by not snowshoeing or skiing across them. I’ll equate this to walking back up the sledding hill in the sled track –don’t be that guy.

-Trails

Destination Recreation: Spooner Lake

2011-01-13T09:57:00.000-08:00

For our second installment of Destination Recreation we’re hitting the trails to cross-country ski and snowshoe!

Trail in Spooner Lake area

Destination: Spooner Lake
Adventurer: Megan Allen
Chosen Activity: Cross-country skiing and hiking

Allure: My first spring in Nevada led me on a hike along the Tahoe Rim Trail; the trail detoured down to Spooner Lake, which is part of Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park. Along the trail and at the lake, I was captured by the towering Jeffery Pines and the song of Mountain Chickadees. I returned that winter to cross-country ski through these trees, and it was fantastic. Spooner Lake Lodge does an excellent job of grooming and maintaining the trails, and provides their guests with warm hot chocolate after their journeys in the snow. I plan to return this winter and ski out to one of the many overnight cabins, where winter enthusiasts can stay the night nestled in a rustic setting. This outdoor destination is dear to my heart and has potential to create lasting memories for anyone who visits the area! Best Wishes!

Other Activities: hiking, fishing, bird watching, photography, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, nature journaling, mountain biking
Location: Western Nevada on Highway 28, 15 miles west of Carson City
Information:
Nevada State Parks – Lake Tahoe-Nevada
Spooner Lake Cross-Country Ski Area
Spooner Lake Cross-Country Ski Area Map

Visit the Nevada Outdoor School website – Destination Recreation page to explore the rest of our favorite places to play in Nevada.

The Soul of a Shoe Tree

2011-01-06T15:02:00.000-08:00

There are various versions of how the shoe tree on the outskirts of Middlegate, NV began, but they all have the same gist. In the 1980s newlyweds were traveling home and got in an argument on the outskirts of Middlegate. She threatened to walk home and he said she’d have to do it without her shoes and tossed them into a tree. Shortly after they made up; then returned later with their first-born and tossed his first pair of shoes into the same tree that was to become reportedly the world’s largest shoe tree.

Some of you may have heard, but the shoe tree was sawed down by vandals in the cover of darkness and discovered the morning of December 31st. This crime has received national attention in the Reno Gazette-Journal, SF Chronicle, and made it on Yahoo News. There is even a page on Facebook with 1,000 plus fans titled Middlegate Shoe Tree – Rest in Peace.

Fallen Middlegate Shoe Tree

Looking at this from an outdoor ethics viewpoint, there are a few aspects to consider. There’s the principle of not leaving your belongings or trash behind and leaving nature to be just that - natural. However, considering the multitude of shoes found in the tree, that tumble weed has blown away decades ago.

This brings up tradition; there has been a mass outcry from those who have tossed their old shoes into the tree. The Facebook fan page is riddled with stories of those that have made a tradition of visiting and sharing moments with loved ones at the shoe tree. The Nevada Commission on Tourism website even has the shoe tree as a site to visit along the Loneliest Road in America. Roadside America also promoted the tree as a stopping point. Let’s think about benefits to this tradition. A bright spot among a sea of tumble weeds and sage brush - there is beauty in the high desert, but after driving through hundreds of miles of it, a change is nice. The shoe tree attracted patrons to businesses in the town of Middlegate. This eccentric attraction could appeal to city dwellers and get them to look at the outdoors in a different way.

Let’s look at this from the other perspective – against man-made objects left in natural places once traditions are well underway. Some of the detrimental effects of a shoe tree could include an abnormal amount of weight on tree branches, habitat loss for wildlife, litter in a natural place, etc.

I’ll take a moment to share my personal thoughts; everyone is entitled to their opinion, but cutting down a tree is not proving a point and certainly not following outdoor ethics. A few productive ways to voice your opinion include petitions, scientific studies, and opinion pieces in local papers. On the other hand, there’s the possibility these culprits weren’t trying to prove a point and were just being reprehensible. Outdoor ethics is my job and my passion. I am an avid follower of pack it in, pack it out. However, a few eccentric landmarks can have value and I’ll admit, I’m a little bummed that I didn’t get a chance to throw my shoes into the tree; but you can bet I would have picked up any litter that wasn’t a shoe while I was there!

But that’s just my opinion, what do you think? Is it outdoor ethical to start a shoe tree? If you practice Leave No Trace or Tread Lightly would you add your shoes to an already-thriving shoe tree? If you are against shoe trees how would you voice your opinion? Should a new Middlegate Shoe tree be started? What is your outdoor ethics opinion on the Middlegate Shoe Tree? How many times can I say shoe tree in one paragraph?

-Trails

Trail Log

2010-12-29T16:35:00.000-08:00

Winter in Yosemite Valley

“One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, ‘What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?’” – Rachel Carson

Leaving No Trace in Hawaii

2010-12-22T23:23:00.000-08:00

During Thanksgiving break, a fellow Nevada Outdoor School employee and I traveled to the great island of Oahu. Since we are both Leave No Trace (LNT) Master Educators we were on the lookout for how Hawaii practices LNT throughout our trip.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare: Before our trip even started we were leaving no trace by planning ahead and preparing. For those of you in Nevada, and most of the other lower 48, I’m sure you’re familiar with these stabby invaders – puncturevine aka goatheads. Even though goatheads have already been introduced in Hawaii, I didn’t want to be an accomplice to a further invasive invasion; which is why I was sure to check the shoes that I was taking with me for stowaways before I got on the plane.

Check for invasives or any organic matter in
your equipment before traveling to a new area

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: During our visit we trekked to the top of Diamond Head, Hawaii’s most recognizable landmark. Along the path there were signs asking visitors to stay on the trail for their safety and to prevent erosion. At times land managers will put up signs that just say “stay on the trail” with no explanation, or “stay on the trail” with the threat of a fine; however, the signs at Diamond Head told visitors why. Maybe some of you have heard of the idea, authority of the resource? The notion behind authority of the resource is that you’re more likely to get desirable behavior from visitors if they understand how their actions affect the way nature operates, rather than threatening them with regulations and fines. Plus, advising visitors of an action because it will keep them safe helps too.

I want to help protect Diamond Head by staying on the trail!

3. Dispose of Waste Properly: We saw this logo on trash cans throughout our travels on the island. I think this is a great way to let people know that helping is simple – throw away your trash.

We’ll say they’re caring for plants by throwing
away trash – not throwing away plants…
unless they’re invasives!

4. Leave What You Find: While stopped at a lookout on the southeast point of Oahu we found a mass collection of rock cairns with no evident purpose or reason. Art? Calling for a moment of reflection? A confusing trail system? Or just an impact bandwagon?

Calling for a moment of reflection? I think the view speaks for itself.

Our friends at the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics found a similar collection of rock cairns in Boulder, Colorado and wondered if it was art or impact.

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts: We didn’t have an opportunity to practice this principle of LNT, but a quick note – if you’re looking to enjoy a sunset on the beach with a toasty fire contact local land managers or law enforcement to find out where you can legally do so.

6. Respect Wildlife: An exciting aspect of visiting a new place is seeing the wildlife that inhabits that ecosystem. Personally, I had two aquatic animals on my wish list: sea turtles and dolphins. I was successful on both accounts with an added bonus of a Hawaiian Monk Seal.

Their Hawaiian name is ‘Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua,
which means dog that runs in rough seas

While enjoying the Pacific Ocean we came across a resting seal that had an area around it roped off with a helpful sign informing beach-goers why the seal had a protection zone around it; and thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) logo I knew where to get more information. I learned from the sign that Hawaiian Monk Seals are protected under Federal and State Law; come to discover there are only about 1,100 of these seals left that are endemic (native) to the Hawaiian Islands. At least they’re faring better than their monk seal counter parts – the Caribbean Monk Seal is extinct and the Mediterranean Monk Seal has numbers in the low hundreds. Now that we’re all thoroughly bummed out, look at NOAA’s Natural History and Conservation of the Hawaiian Monk Seal brochure to lift your spirits. In the brochure you’ll find more information on Hawaiian Monk Seals, ways you can make a difference, and pictures of cute baby seals.

In search of more wildlife, we ventured to the North Shore to find sea turtles. Success again! We spotted a few turtles in the waves off shore then stumbled upon a Green Turtle resting on the beach. Using LNT’s rule of thumb, we kept a respectful distance while observing and taking photos. For those not familiar with the rule of thumb: close one eye, hold your thumb out, and then put your thumb in your line of sight between you and the wild animal. You shouldn’t be able to see the animal behind your thumb. If you can – you’re too close. On that same note, if you’re observing wildlife and they start to change their behavior, you’re also too close.

I promise I’m practicing the LNT rule of thumb;
not pretending to punch the sea turtle.

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Consider visiting areas when you can avoid times of high use. We may have avoided more of the crowd at Diamond Head if we began our trek a bit earlier. This idea also falls into the first principle of LNT – plan ahead and prepare, but with this many people on a cramped trail being considerate and respectful of others is essential for everyone’s sanity. Slower traffic stay to the right to let others pass. Thank you and excuse me go a long way. And my favorite tip – don’t hog the lookout point; others want for photo opportunities too.

8. Happy Holidays! Even Santa plans ahead and prepares when going on vacation – note he’s packing sunscreen!

Mr. and Mrs. Sanda Clause preparing for their trip to Hawaii.
(That’s not a typo – this is a sand sculpture!)

Happy Holidays and Mahalo,
Trails

Winter Hike Interrupted

2010-12-16T08:54:00.000-08:00

UPDATE from The Humboldt Sun in the Feb. 22-24, 2011 issue:
"The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office announced last week that three men had been arrested and two others issued a summons to appear in connection with vandalism in the Water Canyon Recreation Area..."

Imagine driving to your local recreation area, in this case Water Canyon, excited to take the dogs for a walk on a warm-winter afternoon. They get to run off some energy, you get to soak up some sunshine and stretch your legs. You’re winding your way up the canyon road along the creek as your anticipation builds. You round the last bend where the trailhead parking lot comes into view – there it is! The trailhead restroom covered in graffiti… Your excited anticipation turns to anger and disappointment.

View of the trailhead and the graffiti-covered restroom

A bit excessive...

For the sake of this blog, we’ll keep the finger wagging to an outdoor ethics base. Whoever the perpetrators were, they were not being considerate of others. Fellow recreationists don’t want to see a graffiti-COVERED restroom, let alone use it. Also, they’ve created additional work for the Bureau of Land Management who now has to repaint the restroom – our tax dollars put to good use. Unfortunately, due to the cold-winter weather the cleanup will have to wait until spring so the paint will properly adhere to the tagged surface. Until then visitors to Water Canyon will have to suffer with this eyesore in an otherwise beautiful setting.

And to think…you just wanted to go on a hike.

Destination Recreation: Mt. Rose Ski Area

2010-12-09T14:54:00.000-08:00

Here at Nevada Outdoor School, we scale rugged mountain peaks, explore winding canyons, soak up vast open playa, and play on towering sand dunes. Nevada has a wealth of natural wonders to discover and our staff has taken advantage of opportunities to do so. We have compiled our favorite recreation destinations in Nevada to give you ideas for your next adventure; all destinations can be found on the Nevada Outdoor School website – Destination Recreation page. In the coming months we’ll highlight various destinations around the state, so pack your bags because we’re hitting the road!

With ski resorts firing up their chair lifts and grooming runs, what better location to start with than Mt. Rose Ski Area! Don’t forget your helmet and happy shredding!

Mt. Rose Ski Area - We'll see you on the slopes!

Destination: Mt. Rose Ski Area
Adventurer: Andy Hart
Chosen Activity: Skiing through powder

Allure: Mt. Rose Ski Area is actually located on Slide Mountain, just south of the peak Mt. Rose, which is Washoe County's high point. Regardless, Mt. Rose is a great place to ski. There is no big resort at the base which means it is mainly locals and crowds are rarely an issue. Two high-speed six-passenger chairlifts access both the front and backside of the mountain keeping lift lines to a minimum. There are a couple of very nice, long, scenic beginner runs, not a tiny-little cat track or 100 yard long green run like you see at some other mountains; so bring along your non-believer friends and get them hooked. However, don’t let those nice greens fool you, Mt. Rose is home to some of the gnarliest, steepest terrain in Tahoe when you venture into The Chutes! And of course, there is a little of everything in between too. Mt. Rose has the highest base elevation of any resort in the area, 8,260 ft, this means the snow stays in good condition most of the year; you don’t deal with the slushy-muddy soup at the base of some other places. I also like the contrast in scenery between the front and back of the mountain. On the front it is pure Sierra Alpine, one chair lift away you are looking into Washoe Valley and beyond to the high desert and endless basin and range of central Nevada. Lift tickets are reasonably priced, and season passes are a stellar deal if you live close and can go all the time. If you like to ski, visit Mt. Rose and check out one of my favorite places in Nevada.

Other Activities: skiing, snowboarding
Location: Western Nevada on Mt. Rose Hwy – SR 431, 25 miles south-west of Reno
Information: Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe

Leaving No Trace in the Snowy Sierras

2010-12-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

Dust off your snowshoes and come learn more about Leave No Trace (LNT) and teaching techniques while exploring a winter wonderland. Nevada Outdoor School is hosting a LNT Trainer Course Friday, January 28th through Sunday, the 30th in the Donner Summit area.

Our Saturday destination - Martis Peak Fire Lookout

View from the lookout

Trip back down to the trailhead

We will explore the various principles of LNT while enjoying snowshoe hikes along trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Each participant will give a short presentation on an assigned principle; this is a great way to practice your teaching techniques and get ideas from fellow LNTers. At night we will warm up indoors at Clair Tappaan, a rustic mountain lodge nestled in the Sierras near Donner Pass.

Clair Tappan Lodge

Visit www.NevadaOutdoorSchool.org/ for more information and to register. Sign up now – this course is limited to eight participants.

Let the adventure begin!

2010-11-30T14:20:00.000-08:00

Lace on your hiking boots, strap on your helmet, fasten your seat belt, shoulder your backpack - whatever you need to prepare for an exciting adventure because we’re heading outdoors! Nevada Outdoor School is bringing you an outdoor ethics blog to get the word out on how to take care of our lands while enjoying them. Posts will be made regularly on topics including:

- Exciting places to recreate

- Outdoor ethics events

- Topics in the news

- Highlighting innovative organizations and ideas

- Outdoor ethics tips and tricks

- Lesson ideas for youth

- And much more!

Plus, if you have an outdoor ethics question please contact us at info@NevadaOutdoorSchool.org and we’ll hit the trail to find the answer!