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Gear Review: Skhoop Mini Down Skirt, best down skirts, hiking skirts

Skhoop (pronounced like scoop), was founded in 1999 by Sissi Kewenter in Sweden - flash forward a few years later and Skhoop expanded into North America in 2007. Skhoop specializes in comfortable, feminine winter clothing for any outdoor activity. The insulated skirt is the most popular product, however over the years they've grown to include various lengths of skirts, jackets, vests, and socks. As the times have changed so has their fabric, adding in PrimaLoft, down, and GORE.

Lodging Review: Circle D Hotel, Escalante , Utah

Circle D Motel is located in the heart of Escalante, Utah - an outdoor lovers paradise for hiking to slot canyons, canyoneering, backpacking, and exploring natural arches off Hole in the Rock Road. The area is rich with history and beautiful scenery, which is apart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM). My dog and I come here to explore the trails, but sometimes it's too cold for camping, especially in winter. That's when we call up Circle D to make sure we have a warm, welcoming room when we arrive tired and dirty from exploring outside.

Hiking to Deer Creek Lakes, Boulder Mountain, Hiking on Boulder Mountain, Utah

Deer Creek Lakes sits high on Boulder Mountain at 10,000 ft, and several other nearby lakes are accessible as well including Green, Chriss, and Mooseman Lakes. All of these lakes provide for an excellent day hike, quick overnight backpacking trip, and plenty of fishing and sightseeing. The trail to get to Deer Lake is only 2.8 miles one way, and is fairly easy and flat. Over the 3 miles you only gain about 700 ft, making it a gently incline the whole way. Keep in mind that you will be hiking at a high elevation, and that can often slow hikers and dogs down. Take your time - the views from Deer Lakes is amazing and well worth the effort.

Exploring the Comb Ridge Canyons & Ruins, Cedar Mesa

Comb Ridge is a 90-mile long Navajo sandstone ridge (or monocline) running North to South, and is home to many ancestral ruins and petroglyphs that date back around 800 years old. Comb Ridge itself has a gentle eastern facing slopes, while the west side has "teeth" that jut out and above the ridge line. Each of these "teeth" contain drainages that lead to the San Juan River. The Puebloans lived, farmed in this area, and left behind a massive amount of ruins and artifacts. Drought, overpopulation, diminishing resources, erosion, and conflict eventually brought an end to this era.

Hiking to Castle Rock, Stansbury Island

Castle Rock (6,649 ft) is the highest summit on Stansbury Island, just West of Salt Lake City. It's the second largest island in the Great Salt Lake, and was named after Howard Stansbury who led the expedition in the area. Stansbury Island is a fun geological feature as well - it is dotted with shale, limestone, and dolomite rock. A large part of the island is private property, and used by cattle ranchers.

Soaking at Crystal Hot Springs, Hot Springs in Utah

Crystal Hot Springs is a natural hot springs in Northern Utah that ranges from 120-134 degrees F. The swimming pools are regulated so that you can soak in a range of temperatures from 98-105F. Crystal Hot Springs also contains the highest mineral content found in the world! It has roughly 46,000 mg/L - the average hot spring has closer to 1,000 mg/L. You'll notice this mineral content, as you lick your lips or wipe your hands over your face - it's very salty tasting. Get ready to soak in a 22,000 year old hot spring!

Backpacking Halls Creek Narrows, Capitol Reef National Park

Backpacking Halls Creek Narrows is located within Capitol Reef National Park, only a few miles North from Lake Powell. This area of the park sits between the high cliffs of Hall Mesa on the East, and the Waterpocket Fold on the West. As you backpack towards Halls Creek Drainage (aka Grand Gulch), you'll be surrounded by red, white, and orange slick rock, all while hiking through a mostly sandy trail.

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