Tag Archives: Hiking

Hiking The Rocky Mountains

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The Rocky Mountains are one of North Americas most beautiful mountain ranges, and probably her best known. The Rocky Mountains span six US States and 2 Canadian provinces. These would include Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, British Columbia, and Alberta. Although thought of as one mountain Range, the Rocky Mountains are actually just a collection of smaller mountain ranges that we’ve deemed “The Rockies”. The bottom line is that hiking opportunities abound within these mountains.

The easiest way to find hiking trails and clearly defined area’s to hike is by visiting a National Park or Forrest area. The main National Park areas within the Rocky Mountains in the United States are: Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton Nation al Park, Glacier National Park, and Arapaho National Forrest. Within Canada, the National Parks would include: Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, Waterton Lakes National; Park, and Yoho National Park. A search on any of these parks will give you all the hiking information a person could want about that particular park.

Hiking in the Rocky Mountains does provide the hiker with a ton of enjoyment. The mountains offer incredible views and are full of wildlife. Some of the wildlife that can be seen within the Rocky Mountains is: deer, elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, black bear, grizzly bear, mountain lions, and rodents of all shapes and sizes. For those of you who like to watch birds while you hike, the Rocky Mountains won’t disappoint on this from either.

Hiking in the Rocky Mountains is an enjoyable experience for the experienced hiker as well as beginners. All of the National Parks listed above have nice camping area’s available, so the entire family can be taken camping in the Rocky Mountains. And for more experienced hikers, trips spanning several weeks are definitely doable within the Rocky Mountains.

The Rocky Mountains boast some of the most beautiful and remote rivers and lakes in all of North America. There are more than 15 main rivers that exit from the Rocky Mountains, carrying run off and snow melt into 3 of the world’s oceans: The Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic. And there are obviously thousands of small streams that feed these main rivers to make the process work. Many of these streams, carrying life itself down these mountains, offer amazing sites to the hikers of the Rocky Mountains.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country…..Montana!

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Sonoma County Introduces Vineyard Walking Tours

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Sonoma County Winegrape Commission and Sonoma County Vintners have teamed up with Zephyr Wine Adventures to offer walking vacations of Sonoma County vineyards. The five-day tours include meals, lodging, and great walks through some of Sonoma™ most scenic and famous vineyards, accompanied by expert guides and winery staff.

Our goal is not only to get visitors to Sonoma County but also to get them into the vineyards, says Larry Levine, vice president marketing & communications of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, an organization that represents 1800 winegrape growers in Sonoma County. “We believe when wine drinkers know how and where our grapes are grown, they will have a greater appreciation for Sonoma County, its diverse growing regions, and its wine.

The tours are designed to be not just educational but also fun, active experiences. “These are, first and foremost, vacations,” says Allan Wright, owner of Zephyr Wine Adventures, the tour organizer. “We stay in excellent hotels, walk through beautiful scenery, enjoy delicious meals, and taste world-class wines,” says Wright. “What more could a wine enthusiast want?”

The Vineyard Walks are designed for all types of people. Participants need not be connoisseurs of wine – anyone with an interest in learning about wine or just being in wine country will have fun. Additionally, several walking routes will be offered each day, so walkers can choose from a short, casual walk to a more aggressive hike offering a good workout.

Sonoma winegrape growers and wineries are excited to participate in the Vineyard Walks and often provide staff to accompany participants as they walk through the vineyards. For example, Jim Murphy of Murphy Ranch Vineyards, a noted winegrape grower in Sonoma County, will lead two walks in the Alexander Valley near his home.

“This is a great way for regular wine drinkers to meet some of the movers and shakers of the Sonoma wine world,” says Wright. “Sonoma Vineyard Walks get people out from the tasting room and in one-on-one contact with grapegrowers and winemakers.”

The Vineyard Walk vacations will initially be offered twice in 2008 (August 24-28 and October 26-30) with more dates added as necessary. Each five-day trip includes all meals except one lunch, double-occupancy lodging, local transportation, several wine tastings each day, and expert guides. Cost is $1,900 per person, with three percent of proceeds benefiting the Sonoma Vineyard Workers Education Program. For information, visit www.SonomaVineyardWalks.com.