Mountain Climbs for Beginners

Mountain climbing is a great way to experience the great outdoors, but if you've never done it before, many peaks may be too difficult for you to climb. So here are the top peaks for beginners to get started in the climbing game.

Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, Colorado

One of the most popular peaks in the United States, the 13-mile trail makes for a great first hike. At over 14,000 feet above sea level this hike will take you about as high as you can get in the continental U.S. And if the climb up is too hard on you, you can catch a ride back down on the cog railway. 

Mount Hood, Hood River County, Oregon

Mount Hood is a glaciated dormant volcano in the Cascade Mountain range and is a great place to learn some of the skills required for snow climbs. A climb up the most common trail on the south side of the mountain takes about a half day to climb and will take you higher than 11,000 feet above sea level. 

Mount Katahdin, Baxter State Park, Maine

This peak is at the northern end of the Appalachian Mountain range and only ascends about 5,000 feet into the sky, making it a perfect first climb for beginners. Due to the ease of the climb, the trail does receive a great number of hikers, so be sure to get there early as the park does limit the number of climbers it admits each day. 

Guadalupe Peak, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

The highest point in Texas, this peak stands alone in the desert and as a result, gives some stunning views of the vastness of the Texan wilderness. The ascent will take you almost 9,000 feet above sea level and round-trip will last about 7 hours. 

Now that you have some of the best peaks from all over the country, gear up at Low Valley Outfitters, and start climbing!

Adventures for You and Your Furry Friend

Dog owners and adventure seekers rejoice! Don’t leave your furry friend behind on your next trip! Here are the top dog friendly national parks in the U.S.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park is the perfect place to take your dog. With 120 miles of dog friendly trails you and your dog can find something new on every trip. Mountains and beaches highlight the views of this coastal park and make a great adventure for dogs and their owners.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is great park to visit regardless of whether you’d like to take your dog or not. The fact that all 13 miles of the South Rim Trail is dog friendly is a great bonus as you can take in a natural wonder of the world with your best friend.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park is not only a sweet sight to see with some of the tallest sand dunes in the U.S., it is also a great spot for your dog. With plenty of open space for to run and streams to cool off, this national park is the perfect place to take your dog.

With these national parks in mind, there’s no excuse to leave your dog behind on your next adventure. So head over to Low Valley Outfitters, gear up and plan your next trip for you and your dog.