Hiking Adventures of the Year

We reached out to our Oboz Ambassadors to hear all about the adventures that they loved, so far this year. From the peaks of Glacier to the Everglades of Florida, they've been all across the country (and world!) making the most of hiking season. Hopefully their trail tales provide some inspiration for your next trek. Read on to hear all about their trips.

The wind ripped through my jacket as we made our way up the switchbacks to the summit of Swiftcurrent Peak in Glacier National Park. My undershirt was soaked with sweat, and the cold wind chilled me to the bone. A Pika chirped and scrambled over some rocks before I could get my camera ready for a photo. Instead of capturing the moment, my brother and I paused to drink from my water bladder, bracing for the final push to the lookout tower.

As we reached the top, a stunning 360º panoramic view of the park below greeted us. I pulled up my telephoto lens. Even with the 600mm zoom, the people at the lake to the east looked like ants. Quickly, I changed into my spare dry t-shirt, tucking the sweaty one into my backpack. Relief washed over me as warmth began to return to my body.

We found shelter from the wind and settled in until sunset. As the sun set, the sky burst into vibrant hues of orange, purple, pink, and yellow. The jagged peaks silhouetted against the darkening sky were a stark reminder of how rugged and wild this place is. The sun dipped low, casting brilliant rays of light between the mountains.

As twilight fell, we packed our gear and began our descent. A pair of headlamps guided our feet along the trail. The same Pika from earlier chirped at us as we passed by. By the time we made it down to the bald face of the summit and into the timber, the sky was completely dark. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I gripped my bear spray tightly. Walking through grizzly country at night never gets easier, but it's a risk I willingly take to capture the brilliant colors of sunset in beautiful places like this.

The walk back in the dark was thankfully uneventful, and we breathed a sigh of relief as we reached our shelter at the chalet. I fell asleep thinking about the beauty of that night's sunset, the hard work we put in, and how we were rewarded. I wondered when I might do this hike again.

When work starts to consume your time both at work and after "normal" hours, you know a break is needed. I had been working multiple overtime filled weeks and was feeling sluggish and low energy. I wanted to give my work projects my all, but it was coming at the cost of my own mental, spiritual and physical health. I hadn't spent as much time in the mountains, forests, lakes and trails as I had wanted. And let me be clear in the distinction, I hadn't spent time by choice. I'm lucky to be able to work outside a lot, but there's a difference when I'm out leading a group and when I get to go into the mountains for my own joy and rest.

It was fall, and the weather was getting really nice. My friend Trevor had a day off and so did I, so an idea to go climb formed. The summer heat was fizzling out just a little bit, so we decided to go for a day of climbing rock cracks at Donner Pass in Tahoe National Forest. I packed the night before and went to bed knowing I'd finally get to spend some time out in nature of my own accord. Even the early morning drive didn't deter me as I watched the sun slowly creep over the Northern Sierras and I smiled as the elevation changed and the conifers started to become more present. Soon I'd have my harness on, crack gloves strapped, climbing gear clipped and chalk bag opened.

I parked, grabbed my cup of tea and was greeted by a golden sunrise reflecting off the granite slabs. As we hiked up to the new crag neither of us had been to, I was so happy to not be carrying my work tools and only gear I needed to get up and down walls safely. This was a trip about balance, as it had tipped more toward work and less about play. The first pitch we climbed was "spicy" as I watched Trevor tip toe and ballet dance his way across a slab with a thin crack for protection. When it was my turn to follow, my calve cramped and I got spooked at the thin section. I told myself, it's ok and cracked a smile. I then pulled through the section and led the next pitch, this time facing a larger crack to place gear but little in terms of places to put my feet. I sucked in a breath of mountain air and tasted a little bit of sweat, then let out a "try hard" grunt and pulled up over the roof. When I'd finished belaying Trevor to the anchor, we stood atop the rock face and had views of Donner Lake and the surrounding Northern Sierra Mountains. I let the growing breeze flow through my hair like seaweed on ocean waves. We snapped a few photos as a reminder, then I took off my climbing gloves and placed my bare hand on the rock. I thanked it for allowing us to recreate and for reminding me that it's ok to seek joy and rest and in fact it is needed.

In April, I had the pleasure of celebrating Earth Month by visiting Florida's Everglades and Biscayne National Park. The timing was perfect; with mild weather and minimal bugs, my adventure was both comfortable and enriching. 95% of Biscayne National Park is underwater so I explored the park by kayak, guided by a knowledgeable naturalist. In contrast, the Everglades captivated with its diverse wildlife, including alligators, turtles, and a myriad of bird species. A memorable highlight was the backcountry boat ride through the mangroves, where a passionate educator shared insights into the park’s natural history.



What made this journey especially meaningful was sharing it with my young son. As a new mom, balancing the demands of motherhood with the desire for adventure has been a challenge. Yet, instilling a love and respect for nature in my child is a priority I hold dear. This trip was more than just a vacation; it was an opportunity to connect him with the beauty and significance of the natural world. I am aware of my responsibility to nurture his appreciation for nature, knowing that future generations, including him, will play a crucial role in preserving our planet. This experience reaffirmed my commitment to raise him as an Earth champion, grounded in the rhythms of the natural world that we are both so fortunate to explore.

Some of my top adventure moments from the last year include moving to New Mexico and exploring it! Highlights include visiting Ghost Ranch in beautiful Abiquiu where Georgia O'keeffe lived, hiking solo, and getting to explore our local hot springs.

Recently, my boyfriend took me to Carlsbad Cavern National Park - one of the biggest and most impressive caverns I've ever experienced! I also found out that my house is right on the historic El Camino Real Trail.

Recently, I've learned to forage. I've been wanting to learn how to forage mushrooms for a couple years and I found out that New Mexico is known for their edible chanterelles, porcinis, boletes and more. I found a few mentors who showed me the ropes and now I'm hooked!!



Of course there's also a road trip I took to Utah and Montana! I hiked to some beautiful places outside the popular Moab national parks and visited Dead Horse Point State Park. It reminds me that there is so much to see and explore outside of National Parks and hikes that are just as beautiful and important! I also visited Glacier National Park where I met up with Lori and Leslie, participants of the Over 50 Outside program and now, 52 Hike Challenge leaders! We hiked to Avalanche and Hidden Lake in the park, in addition to taking the historic red bus tour. That trip ended with me co-leading the Over 50 Outside retreat. We danced, hiked, and connected women who have taken 52 Hikes with a supportive community of like-minded individuals. 



This year I was also blessed to be able to travel and hike internationally. I hiked and completing the Camino Portuguese with my mom. I did training for Mt. Kilimanjaro, plus brought a group up to the summit! Both these trips were immensely impactful, and I will never forget the power of setting a big goal in life, working towards it, and seeing it come to fruition.

Last year, I attempted to hike Colorado's famous Four Pass Loop, a roughly 25-mile trail just outside Aspen. The loop is renowned for its incredible 360-degree views, alpine lakes, and wildflowers that bloom at the right time of year. However, it's also notoriously difficult to secure permits for, and in 2023, the Forest Service introduced a brand-new permit system.

My friend and I had our permits printed and ready to go and hit the trail. 

We left Denver at 3 AM, groggy but excited, and made the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Aspen. Since we couldn't secure trailhead parking permits, we opted for a paid overnight lot, shedding a tear over the $62/day price. We hiked in and camped the first night, marveling at the beauty of the landscape. To say we struggled with the hike might be an understatement, but we certainly didn't feel like we were in the best shape for a trail that's branded as difficult.

On our second morning, we were stopped by rangers for a permit check, only to discover we had booked the wrong permits. We had to turn around—sad, disappointed, but grateful for the little we did get to see. 

This year, when the Four Pass Loop permits opened, my friend and I made sure to research exactly how to book the correct permits, which involved reserving the dates for our entire trip and then selecting a camping zone for each night. We also secured overnight trailhead parking permits and even drove out the night before, staying in a hotel in Snowmass to avoid starting the trail exhausted again.

With the confidence that came from what felt like everything aligning perfectly, we hit the trail. Each day was better than the last—sweeping views from each of the four passes, meadows of wildflowers, and stunning alpine lakes. While the trail was challenging and technical in spots, I felt great! I was strong, confident, and knew I could complete the loop, which allowed me to truly let go and enjoy the hike. We completed the Four Pass Loop in three days and two nights, even taking time to swim in an alpine lake.



Last year, not completing the Four Pass Loop felt like a huge blow to my confidence—not just in my physical ability but also in my trip planning skills, which I take great pride in. I hadn't had much time to get out on the trail and didn't feel like I was the best version of myself, with my athletic failures seemingly piling up. This year, starting off with a successful trip where I felt strong, prepared, and enjoyed time with my friends gave me a renewed sense of self and joy in the outdoors. I'm SO excited for the rest of my 2024 adventures!

These are just a few of the amazing adventures that our Ambassadors have been on this year. To stay up to date on what they're up to, subscribe to our newsletter and make sure you're following us on Instagram @obozfootwear.

Happy Trails!