Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Let us know what's on your mind? A desert ranch hidden in plain sight can tell you more about survival than a shelf of motivational books. We’re heading out on the Keys Ranch tour inside Joshua Tree National Park and sharing the most interesting highlights from a ranger-led walk through Bill Keys’ homestead, workshops, and the strange, fascinating “junkyard” of parts and artifacts that still s...

Let us know what's on your mind? A lot of hiking advice quietly assumes you live near a famous national park, have endless vacation time, and already know what you’re doing. We wanted something more honest and more useful, so I sat down with Stephanie Pearson, a National Geographic Explorer and longtime Outside Magazine editor, to talk about how she built 100 Hikes of a Lifetime USA and what t...

Let us know what's on your mind? We compare what changes when you camp and backpack across very different environments, from stormy Texas trails to the dry, exposed high desert of New Mexico. Along the way we swap hard-earned stories about mud, heat, water, gear failures, and the judgment call that matters most: when to turn back.  • weather as the biggest driver of risk on trail  • how Texas...

Let us know what's on your mind? We take a short, easy hike to Ryan Ranch in Joshua Tree and use the ruins to tell a bigger story about water, mining, and survival in the desert. We also clarify what a Joshua tree actually is, then wrap up with what we see on site, from the spring house and pump gear to the adobe home and barn remains.  • the Ryan Ranch homestead timeline starting in 1896  • W...

Let us know what's on your mind? Note: Audio only! Video coming soon... We head into Joshua Tree National Park for a birthday trip and a one-mile loop through Hidden Valley, with a close-up look at Intersection Rock, stacked boulder mazes, and the valley’s surprising mix of plants. Along the way, we unpack why Joshua trees got their name, how microclimates form, and how to hike and explore res...

Let us know what's on your mind? We hike the Brook Badlands in New Mexico and get up close to hoodoos, caprock, and weirdly hollow sounding walls that make the landscape feel almost unreal. We also talk through how these formations erode and why being careful with your hands and feet matters as much as the view.  • location and quick orientation near Councilor and Farmington  • why the area fe...

Let us know what's on your mind? We hike New Mexico’s Valley of Dreams to hunt for hoodoos, petrified wood, and the famous Alien Throne hidden beyond a faint, unmarked path. Along the way, we spot the Three Wise Men formation, salt deposits by a rare bit of water, and a strange rock-walled structure on the hike out.  • starting out near the Valley of Dreams and heading toward badlands formatio...

Let us know what's on your mind? We hike Canyon of the Ancients National Monument from the Dolores visitor center to the Sand Canyon Trail, chasing big views and even bigger history. We connect Sleeping Ute Mountain’s origin story and geology to Ancestral Puebloan ruins like Sunny Alcove, Corncob House, and other cliff dwellings hidden in dry alcoves.  • arriving at the Canyon of the Ancients...

Let us know what's on your mind? 700-plus steps down, a windy ledge under a limestone roof, and a cliffside “apartment” complex that once held a thriving community. I’m Craig Nitromedic, and I’m taking you along the Island Trail at Walnut Canyon outside Flagstaff for a fast, grounded tour of one of Arizona’s most memorable archaeological sites. As we walk, we look closely at how the rooms were...

Let us know what's on your mind? We break down four concrete reasons trekking poles belong in a hiking or backpacking kit, from better posture to real stability on rough ground. We also share how we choose and set up our poles, and why they can double as shelter support and first-aid tools when things go sideways.  • Why trekking poles are not just for older hikers  • setting pole height for b...

Let us know what's on your mind? We travel from Wukoki's sandstone perch to Wupatki's 100-room complex, tracing trade routes, desert farming, and the living science of a breathing blowhole. Along the way, we weigh preservation, oral histories, and how plazas and ball courts shaped community life. • Wukoki's defensive siting and sandstone construction • Site etiquette and why art...

Let us know what's on your mind? We hike the Bonita Vista and Lenox Crater trails at Sunset Crater, share why NASA trained astronauts here, and explain how a thousand-year-old eruption reshaped this volcanic field. We give practical tips on altitude, footing, water, and protected areas you cannot hike in. • quick overview of Bonita Vista and Lenox Crater loop • Why astronauts trained on Sunset...

Let us know what's on your mind? We walk through a trail-tested cook system built for fast boils, hot coffee, and simple packability, comparing stainless durability with titanium weight savings. Along the way, we demo the BRS 3000T, share smart add-ons, and show how everything nests for a tidy carry. • waterproof dry bag setup and packing order • Stanley stainless cup with graduated marks to 6...

Let us know what's on your mind? We walk the Florissant Fossil Beds and trace how volcanic mudflows turned a living redwood forest into a world-class fossil site. Along the way, we meet Eocene mammals, explore ancient climate, and reflect on the human choices that saved this place from development. • planning trails around the visitor center and winter hours • overview of Eocene mammals and in...

Let us know what's on your mind? We hike Zion’s Emerald Pools from lower to upper, compare the routes, and share realistic time estimates, views, and trail tips. Sudden rain, green water, and a few confusing junctions turn a short outing into a vivid tour of the canyon’s layers. • lower, middle, and upper route options compared • time and distance expectations for each segment • Why the water...

Let us know what's on your mind? We walk the Riverside Walk to the start of Zion’s Narrows, explain how the Virgin River carved the canyon, and talk through safety, gear, and why crowds change the experience. We end with plans to return better equipped and an invite to subscribe for more Zion content. • route basics for the Riverside Walk and Narrows • how the Virgin River carved the canyon an...

Let us know what's on your mind? We hike the Queen’s Garden Navajo Loop at Bryce Canyon counterclockwise, dropping into hoodoos, spotting Queen Victoria, and climbing Wall Street at sunset. Along the way we share timing tips, parking choices, and why golden hour turns this three-mile loop into pure magic. • starting at Sunrise Point and choosing counterclockwise • route overview and mileage ex...

Let us know what's on your mind? Trade the crowds for silence and stone. We take you onto Codachrome Basin’s Panorama Trail in southern Utah, where red Entrada sandstone meets pale Henryville layers and the desert’s famous sand spires tell a surprising story about water, pressure, and time. Instead of hoodoos, these pillars rose from saturated sand forced upward long ago, then emerged as the s...

Let us know what's on your mind? Video Version: https://youtu.be/SWL355PFqNk We walk the Mossy Cave trail in Bryce Canyon, tracing a short path that blends hoodoos, pioneer engineering, and a quiet waterfall. Along the way, we explain how diverted water shaped a green corridor and how groundwater carved the cave-like overhang. • Mossy Cave trail overview and timing • Pinyon-juniper and pondero...

Let us know what's on your mind? Video Version: https://youtu.be/uEX6Wi7xinc We road-trip from Rainbow Point to the entrance, pairing quick geology lessons with practical driving tips, forest zones, and stops at Black Birch, Ponderosa, Natural Bridge, Paria View, Bryce Point, and Inspiration Point. We weave in Southern Paiute stories, acoustic ecology, and route planning for hikes like Mossy C...

Let us know what's on your mind? Video Version: https://youtu.be/_HSyseF2TJ8 We walk the Bristlecone Loop at Rainbow Point and share how to spot ancient bristlecone pines, read forest health at a glance, and make the most of a short, high‑elevation hike. Along the way, we decode hoodoos, park benchmarks, and route links to Yovimpa Point. • starting at 9,120 feet on a one‑mile loop • Why Bryce’...

Let us know what's on your mind? We follow the petroglyphs of Capitol Reef to explore how Native families and later Mormon settlers used the same fertile valley to live, farm, and make meaning. From lost panels to living orchards, we connect tools, water, and story across centuries. • petroglyph overview and 1952 rockfall context • identity, naming, and Hisatsinom lineage • Fruta settlement an...

Let us know what's on your mind? We hike to Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef and unpack why the park is named for domes and a land reef. Along the way, we spot ancient handprints, explain how a natural bridge forms, and share why this quieter park stands out among Utah's big five. • trail overview, distance, and elevation gain • CCC history shaping the route • origin of the name Capitol Ree...

Let us know what's on your mind? A quick scout of Cathedral Valley shows how to judge the Fremont River ford, when two-wheel drive is enough, and why timing and weather call the shots. We pivot for cattle, grab a geocache, and map a smarter return for the whole loop. • locating the ford and reading warning signs • confirming water levels with the visitor center or phone line • choosing high cl...

Let us know what's on your mind? Video Version: https://youtu.be/6VUjqYWgNSY I put the Maetin Travel Backpack through a year of real trips to see if it can replace a rolling carry-on. From pockets and padding to durability and exact dimensions, I share what works, what's just fine, and where it shines for airport-to-trail travel. • Why a backpack beats a roller for short trips • what the...