Journal
How To Know If DIY Elk and Mule Deer Hunting Is for You
DIY elk and mule deer hunting requires tons of preparation as well as knowledge and skill, but it’s much cheaper and can be more rewarding than a guided hunt.
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Here’s Why Rugged Models of Teardrop Campers Are All the Rage
Teardrop campers, also known as teardrop trailers, first became popular in the 1940s, when they were typically DIY creations. Today, many and varied commercial models of teardrop campers are on the market, ranging from sleek, retro-stylish versions to rugged campers engineered for off-roading and rugged terrain. It’s not difficult to understand why teardrop campers are all the rage. You can easily tow them with a regular vehicle, they’re small enough to store at home, and they boast an efficient, aerodynamic design that cuts way down on fuel costs (compared to larger RVs). If that’s not enough to explain why teardrop campers are perhaps the perfect camping vehicle, here are some more reasons.
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The Science Behind Waterproof Socks and Why You Need Them
Learn about the technology behind one of the most essential outdoor products, waterproof socks. Find out how they work, if you need them, and where to get them.
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Find the Best Gear You'll Need for This Year's Elk Hunt
Dive in and find the best ultralight gear for the first elk hunt of the season. Pike Trail has the gear you need to bring home the bull. Learn more inside!
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6 Useful Tips for Hiking With Kids to Make Hiking Fun for the Family
Hiking can be a whole family activity, but it can take some practice to get hiking with kids right. These tips will ensure you have fun as a family outdoors.
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Foraging Edibles is a Booming New Hobby. Learn Important Tips and Tricks For Safety and Success with this New Outdoor Activity
Foraging is a skill that allows outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wild food for the majority of the year. Learning to explore wild areas, from local parks to national wilderness, is reason enough to be foraging. Being able to eat what you find and, in some cases, preserve the flavor of the season for weeks or months, who could pass that up? Find out why Foraging has exploded as a new hobby and how to do it right.
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Glamping vs. Camping: Choosing Your Travel Style
If you're considering an outdoor excursion, you may be weighing glamping vs. camping. Here's what you need to know about the differences between the two.
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4 Common Camping Preparation Mistakes to Avoid Making as a Camping Novice
Camping is one of the most fun things you can do, but there are common camping preparation mistakes that can ruin the experience — before it even starts.
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4 Outdoor Cooking Tips for Camping
Cooking while camping can be a fun, creative challenge. However, for some who are used to all the amenities of an indoor kitchen, camping cooking can feel overwhelming and like it's a chore rather than an activity to enjoy. But if you learn some important outdoor cooking tips, you can ensure the meals you make when you camp not only taste delicious but are also fun to assemble and serve. Here are our favorite outdoor cooking tips to keep in your back pocket on your next camping trip. 1. Stock Up on Aluminum Foil Most likely, you're going to be cooking over a campfire on your camping trip. (Alternatively, you may be cooking on a grill or camp stove.) In any event, you'll likely be cooking with a very hot surface or flame, and there will be times when you need to rest something hot on a surface or when you'll need a pot or pan that you just don't have. Instead, use aluminum foil. Aluminum foil holds up nicely over a fire and is sturdy enough that it can be molded into a pouch or dish that holds food while it's cooking. One favorite outdoor camping tip is to cook in pouches. Throw every ingredient you want to be cooked in a thick foil pocket, stick it on the grill, and let it cook. Remove it with tongs, and when you're done, you'll have a finished meal with a built-in dish, ready to be eaten. 2. Bring a Cooler Out in the wilderness, you're not going to have a refrigerator, so bring the ingredients that need to be kept cold in a cooler. Keep the cooler cold with ice packs, not ice that can melt. Try to use your refrigerated ingredients in the first day or two since a cooler and ice packs won't stay cold for the entirety of a long trip, and you want to use your groceries before they go bad. Having a very insulated cooler is one of our most important outdoor cooking tips because it allows you to use more ingredients in your meals and ensure they stay fresh, delicious, and safe for everyone to eat. Investing in a more-expensive cooler that is proven to keep foods cold for many days might be worthwhile if you want to keep beverages and ingredients cold throughout your adventure. 3. Study Your Cooking Tips in Advance and Plan Your Meals This is a meta tip, but don't wait until you're about to take off for your camping trip to study cooking tips. Learn how to cook outdoors in advance, then plan your meals diligently a few days before you go. Shop for all the food and cooking items you need in advance so you're totally stocked and prepared when out in the wilderness. Packing up your car to leave for a camping trip can feel chaotic and stressful to begin with. If you leave shopping for your trip and stocking up until the very last minute, you'll likely feel overwhelmed when you get to the campsite, and you may forget things you desperately need to cook comfortably. 4. Pre-Chop Ingredients One great outdoor cooking tip that feels more like a camping hack is to chop all your vegetables before you leave and bring them in containers or bags. Then, once you get there, you don't have to worry about using a cutting board, finding a sturdy surface, handling a sharp knife, or where to discard unused produce. Pre-chopped ingredients save you tons of time and mess and can make the entire process of outdoor cooking faster, cleaner, and more fun. Shop for Your Camping Trip Gear at Pike Trail When you've internalized these outdoor cooking tips and feel prepared to cook on your camping trip, ensure you've got all the necessary supplies. If you're missing any camping supplies for your trip, head to Pike Trail to stock up. Pike Trail is a store for outdoor gear that sells only high-quality, tested, and trusted gear to ensure your trip is more enjoyable. From pocket blankets to hiking gaiters to sleeping bag liners and beyond, Pike Trail surely has something that will make your trip easier and more comfortable. Browse our store, order what you need, pack your car, then get going! Mother Nature awaits you.
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