Outdoors with Hiking Bob

On this week's podcast - the 300th! - Wild Westendorf took over the show while Bob was away on a trip and conducts an interview with a VERY special guest. It's someone listeners are familiar with, but have never heard from before. Thanks to Rich Gustason for his assistance, and to Joanne Peterson for suggesting this guest. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patre...

On this week's podcast, Bob talks with Becky Leinweber, the Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance. They discuss how public land managers are dealing with greatly increased visitor and usage numbers, and how other agencies, such as visitors bureaus, are helping visitors prepare for busier parks. Also, they mull over whether things will ever go back to "how they used to be...

On this week's episode, Bob interviews Britt Haley, the program manager of the Colorado Springs TOPS (Trails, Open Space and Parks) program, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022. They discuss the history of the program, how the program works, how it has benefitted Colorado Springs, and what is ahead for the program. More info on the TOPS program: https://bit.ly/3jCawwJ Please consider...

On this week's show, Bob interviews Aaron Egbert from the City of Colorado Springs about the North Cheyenne Canon Bridge Replacement Project. Also discussed: National Park Service week; more lands facing usage restrictions; cabins opening at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. This podcast sponsored by SpringsHomes.com Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hik...

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin discuss Kevin's upcoming hike on Mt Whitney; the status of the road project in North Cheyenne Canon Park; the opening of Santa Fe Open Space; and should Standard Time become permanent. Colorado Sun article about time change: https://bit.ly/3uE9KEn https://bit.ly/3uE9KEn Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/h...

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin discuss how land managers are dealing with increased usage, and they ask the question: Is it reasonable for users to ever expect our park experiences to return to a time when crowding, and traffic was not a problem and when advanced reservations were almost unheard of? And, should our public land managers even try to get back to those times? Is what we...

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin discuss an update on the Keep Colorado Wild Pass; timed entry reservations may be coming to Colorado's Eldorado Canyon; a new El Paso County Park, and more. Previous column about Eldorado Canyon: https://bit.ly/3KRmBtB Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob on Facebook...

On this week's podcast, Bob talks with Victoria Newhouse, the author of "Parks of the 21st century. Reinvented landscapes, reclaimed territories". They discuss the book's examination of parks that have been built on land formerly occupied by highways, railroads, airports, industrial sites, quarries and other property. The discussion goes over the effectiveness of using property that would at first...

In this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin discuss the spread of mis-information and lies in regards to outdoor recreation in social media. Also, a report from Colorado Parks and Wildlife about bear activity in the state in 2021; hiking in Oil Well Flats; supporting the people of the Ukraine. Colorado Parks and Wildlife report: https://bit.ly/3pt86E1 Please consider becoming a patron of this po...

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin provide an update on the tragic deaths of a family while hiking in California last year. Also, a law working it's way through the Colorado legislature would insure that parents don't get in trouble for letting their kids play or walk around on their own. Some silliness in Wyoming over what constitute "trespassing". ...and much more! Links mentioned in...

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin discuss a USA Today article that looks at a websites ranking of "dangerous" U.S. National Parks, and what is wrong with the data. Also, vehicle break-ins, a trailhead closure, an interesting video, and another podcast's look at climate change. USA Today article (subscription required): https://bit.ly/3sLxbuI Website in USA Today article: https://bit.ly...

On this episode, Bob chats with Michelle Seubert, the manager of Colorado's Barr Lake State Park. She is heading up the celebration of Colorado Parks and Wildlife's 125th anniversary. She shares tidbits of information about the history of the agency, including significant dates in the agencies history. Also, upcoming events to commemorate the anniversary. Colorado Parks and Wildlife website: https...

On this week's podcast, Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Karen Palus is the guest. The discussion covers what the parks department accomplished in 2021 and what's ahead in 2022. There's a lot covered in this podcast! Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Inst...

In this week's podcast, Bob and Kevin discuss how climate change is affecting winters in Colorado, and also the dramatically dropping water level in Lake Powell, and how this affects outdoor recreation. The discussion then goes to Kevin's recent hikes on the new trails in the Sweetwater Canyon in North Cheyenne Canon Park. They also discuss a recent winter storm rescue in North Carolina and why th...

This week's guest is El Paso County (Colorado) Community Services Director Todd Marts. As part of the Community Services department, he also oversees the county parks department, and has been a long-time parks department employee and was promoted to director in 2021. The discussion involves the past years successes and future plans for El Paso County Parks, including when new parks will open, and...

Alicia Filley, Physical Therapist a/k/a "The Healthy Hiker" and a frequent show guest, returns. On this episode the discussion centers around how someone who is usually a "day hiker" can train and prepare to do long, multi-day hikes, such as the Colorado Trail. https://www.thehealthyhiker.com/ This podcast sponsored by Springs Homes Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https:/...

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin start the New Year by reviewing their experiences from 2021 and their plans for 2022. They also discuss preparing for winter weather recreation, and a lawsuit involving a guided hike on Cheyenne Mountain that resulted in a search and rescue operation. Winter weather prep article: https://bit.ly/3zona9J Broadmoor lawsuit: https://bit.ly/3JGvoyE Please c...

On this week's podcast, Bob chats with Lloyd Athern, the Executive Director of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative. They discuss the organizations mission and goals, and the work they do to keep access to Colorado's highest peaks open to hikers and mountaineers. They discuss the groups long history, and how they partner with the US Forest Service and other land managers to maintain trails 14,000'...

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin Westendorf discuss a recent storm that hit Colorado Springs and the reaction people had to the resulting damage and power outages. They discuss whether people were reasonable in their expectations of the government to attend to their problems, and are people who seriously recreate outdoors better prepared for these events than those who aren't. Also, B...

On this week's podcast, Bob interviews Becky Leinweber, the Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA), a new participant in the 2021 IndyGive campaign. They discuss what makes PPORA unique in the outdoors recreation community, it's mission, it's outreach and stewardship, and how donations to the IndyGive will help it meet its goals. PPORA website: https://ppora.org/...

This week's podcast features Jennifer Peterson, the Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Field Institute, and a participating organization in the 2021 IndyGive campaign. We discuss the work RMFI has done over the past year, the work planned for next year, and how your contribution can help them achieve their goals for the upcoming year. Rocky Mountain Field Institute: RMFI.org IndyGive campaig...

On this week's podcast, we go on an audio of tour of Fishers Peak State Park, with park manager Crystal Dreiling. As we stopped at a few different locations in the park, Dreiling describes each site, and what amenities are planned. We also discuss the on-going planning process for the park, how the public can be involved in the process, and a timeline for the park development. This podcast sponsor...

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin talk about who they're thankful for this Thanksgiving and how they affect their love of the outdoors. Also, they discuss some troubling comments on social media that seem to promote a sense of entitlement and elitism from a small minority of trail users. Why do some users feel that only they should have use of some trails? This podcast sponsored by Spr...

This week's guest is Christopher Aaby, the Executive Director of the Catamount Institute, one of the participating non-profits in the 2021 IndyGive campaign. Bob and Chris discuss the mission and goal of the Catamount Institute to engage and connect kids with the outdoors with school programs, summer camps and more. The IndyGive campaign helps the institute grant scholarships to kids and families...

On this week's podcast, Bob's guest is Diane Stine, the Development Director for the Colorado Springs Pioneer's Museum, which is part of the 2021 IndyGive campaign. They discuss the research resources available to the public from museum staff, what kind of artifacts are in the museum has, and their educational programs, and special displays, such as the Cultural Crossroads exhibit. Links for this...