Laura Cardon

Beginner’s Trail Guide: Jud Wiebe in Telluride

The Jud Wiebe Trail is one of Telluride’s most-loved, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why. A minute in, and you’re already getting some of the most spectacular panoramic views that Colorado can offer. And they somehow just keep getting better. How do I get there? One drawback about Telluride is that itContinue reading “Beginner’s Trail Guide: Jud Wiebe in Telluride”

Why I bike to work

When I signed up for the free women’s bike maintenance class at REI, I was surprised to see it was only half full just a few days out from the event. Once I got to class, I quickly realized I was the only woman there that biked primarily for commuting, not recreation. And the moreContinue reading “Why I bike to work”

Beginner’s Trail Guide: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

paint wall back canyon of the gunnison national park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (whew, that’s a mouthful) was the last stop on our 2016 road trip. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but this park has crazy cool scenery, a great campground, and no crowds. When we went in June, we were en route from Durango, but ifContinue reading “Beginner’s Trail Guide: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park”

An Un-Campground Guide: Affordable lodging in Moab

For the uninitiated (aka me before this month), spring is high season in Moab. This is because it’s hot as hell by June. If you go to Moab and you haven’t planned ahead and reserved a campsite, you’re left with first-come, first-serve options on BLM land along Highway 128. The good news is that these campsitesContinue reading “An Un-Campground Guide: Affordable lodging in Moab”

Outdoor Beginner tries mountain biking for the first time

Before a recent work trip to Fruita [FYI this is my day job], the grantees we were meeting enthusiastically offered to take my boss and me mountain biking. We were going there to learn about a trails project we helped fund, and let’s be real, maps and schematics around a conference table only go soContinue reading “Outdoor Beginner tries mountain biking for the first time”