Should You Kayak or Raft? How to Choose Your Adventure During Low Water Season Well good paddlers, the time has come once again. Summer has turned up with its wonderful and inevitable simmer, and with it tamer waters. It warrants the profoundly deep question that confronts us all, fiberglass fin in hand— Shall I kayak, or shall I raft?  Somewhere at some point, someone started a nasty rumor that inflatable kayaking is reserved only for the most elite of ducky olympians. Luckily, that’s not a thing, no matter how entertaining a ducky race at the Olympic level would be. But there are some ..read more

Introduction to Durango, Colorado Welcome to Durango, Colorado—a true adventure-seeker’s paradise! Nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, Durango offers a plethora of outdoor activities that cater to thrill-seekers, nature lovers, and families alike. From hiking and mountain biking to skiing and fishing, Durango has it all. But one activity stands out as a perfect blend of excitement, natural beauty, and family bonding—rafting on the Animas River.  The Allure of Rafting on the Animas River The Animas River winds its way through Durango, offering a stunning backdrop and exhilarati ..read more

Telluride History — A Canyon of Constant Transformation Telluride’s past is much like its mountains. There was unbelievable beauty and balance, juxtaposed by the harsh bite of change, not unlike an unwelcome and commonly early winter. But as we all know change is inevitable in the alpine, especially when people get involved. It is an understatement to say that this corner of Colorado has been To-Hell-You-Ride and back. From its status as an ancient haven for indigenous hunters, to becoming a status symbol in and of itself, Telluride’s evolution has been as dramatic as the summits that surroun ..read more

4 Riveting Facts You Didn’t Know about Pagosa Springs Credit Pagosa Daily Post Looking for a little more fun know-how with a side of cold hard facts about Pagosa Springs? Beyond the well-known yet undeniably-fascinating tidbit that it’s home to the world’s deepest geothermal pool, aka the Pagosa hot spring. And if you didn’t already know that, there’s your bonus fact! You are so welcome.  Beyond those steaming egg-scented bubbles, Pagosa is actually a hotspot for multiple records, ranging from the state level to the entire history of the Earth. And they all seem to involve a lot of drama ..read more

3 Reasons to Ride the Durango Train One Way If you’re on the fence about whether to ride the Durango Silverton train one-way, or do the whole kit and caboodle through the astounding wilderness of the Animas River Canyon, you’ve chugged yourself over to the right place! It’s no secret that the Durango train is one of most scenic trips in the United States, but do you necessarily need to ride it both ways to get the full experience? As locals who have ridden this amazing high-line narrow gauge with our families and friends— often more than once, we think a one-way journey is more enjoyable. Rea ..read more

Moab for Memorial Day Weekend – Your 2024 Guide for Things to Do Planning on going to Moab for Memorial Day Weekend? We’ve got some insider info for your trip – from art festivals to rafting, Moab’s got something for everyone. Read on to find out what fun things are going on in and around town! Here’s what’s going on in Moab for Memorial Day Weekend for 2024, along with a slew of things to do if you’re new to the area, or you just need more places to check off the list!  Memorial Day Weekend Events in Moab Moab Arts Festival Where: Swanny Park  When: Saturday 10am – 7pm, Sunday 10a ..read more

Durango for Memorial Day Weekend – Your 2024 Guide for Things to Do Headed to Durango for Memorial Day Weekend? You’re not alone! With plenty of great events rolling around town, and good times to be had in the mountains, on the water, and the trails in between— it’s just too easy to have too much fun in Durango in the peak of spring.  Here’s what’s going on in Durango for Memorial Day Weekend for 2024, along with a slew of things to do if you’re new to the area, or you just need more places to check off the list!  Memorial Day Weekend Events Iron Horse Classic: Saturday May 25  ..read more

9 Books to Empower Environmental Action in the Southwest and Beyond To those who have stumbled across this book list, Happy Earth Day! Or any other day you happen to be here. As an outfitter of outdoor recreation that depends on Mother Nature, on a day dedicated to recognizing her vital need for protection, we thought to go with one of the things we do best— share the knowledge.  These books focus on themes of action that complement the impressive research of the authors. Because sometimes it feels like the Earth is too big for us to make an impact, but as the beloved conservationist Her ..read more

Durango to Telluride in a Day – For San Miguel Rafters  For Durango visitors who want to check out Telluride for the day (and partake in the righteous rafting supplied by the San Miguel River nearby) here’s a few how-to’s for enjoying the journey.  How far is Telluride from Durango?  Driving to Telluride from Durango takes between 2 to 3 hours depending on which route you choose. Going around the San Juan Mountains is naturally quicker, but going straight through them is of course wonderfully scenic. Here’s some details about the two options:  Shorter Route: Highway 160 to ..read more

Mild to Wild’s Rafting Season Forecast for 2024 You better air out those Chacos and shake the dry bags out of that crusty hibernation hole, because it’s time for the Rafting Season Forecast of 2024!  In snowy sum, this year’s swell through the Colorado Plateau looks like it’s going to ripple and flow right down the middle— not unmanageably high nor rock-snaggingly low. Mild to Wild’s owner and season forecaster, Alex Mickel, says, “While the Snotel readings are a barometer, all we know for sure is that this spring the interior is going to be alive with whitewater, cascading down from the ..read more