LATEST HIKING ADVENTURES

I've been thinking about the best foods to eat after a long day of hiking. For me, I'm usually craving something salty, savory, and filling. After an entire afternoon of sweet energy bars and fruit, the last thing I want is something sweet for dinner as well. And don't even get me started on salad. One of my favorite go-to meals is a massive roast chicken. I've adapted and modified a lot of recipes available online and made it into something simpler for those of us who don't have the space for a comprehensive kitchen kit. The reasons I love roast chicken are simple. It's easy to make, packed with protein, and stretches your dollar.

It may not seem like Spring yet in Boston, but at least the snow is melting! True spring is just around the corner, which means mountains all over New England will be a lot more accessible for those who haven't invested in winter hiking gear. Personally, I haven't invested in a pair of snowshoes yet, so I'm excited to just have my hiking boots on come April. What destinations are you most excited about from April to October? I list my Top 3 To-Do Hikes below..

The Mosaic Canyons is a popular Death Valley hike through narrow canyons. There is some scrambling involved which makes for a fun hike. The ranger said we might be able to see some bighorn sheep, but we didn't see any. Regardless, this is a fun hike that you could seemingly explore for much longer than the advertised 2 miles one day. "Let's just see what's around the next corner."

An active body needs energy before, during, and after a hike. I see too many people on the trails who forget or choose not to eat, only to feel faint 2 hours into a 6 hour hike. Today's blog post will talk about my favorite hiking go-to's when I need a boost of energy.

Not all bars are created equal. When you go into your local supermarket, the assortment of energy bars can often be confusing and overwhelming. With so many options out there, how do you know what's best? My advice is to look at the nutrition labels and pick a few flavors that you enjoy. 

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is another "must-see" in Death Valley. The highest dune sits at about 100 feet, and the entire area covers an area wide enough to explore for a few hours. My only other encounter with sand dunes was in Inner Mongolia, so I was really excited to go back. There's something uniquely enchanting about hiking barefoot at the end of a hot day.  When we stopped at the Visitor Center, the Park Ranger mentioned that they always try to encourage visitors to do the moonrise hike up the sand dunes, but very few actually do it. (No idea why!!)

The Badwater Salt Flats are a must see for anyone making the trip out to Death Valley. It's a short, easy walk that is suitable for not so active and hyper adventurers alike. The salt flats cover around 200 square miles and are one of the largest protected salt flats in the world. It is also the lowest point in the western hemisphere with an elevation of 282 ft below sea level.