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Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Craig aka thenaturalmedic

145 episodes

20 hours ago

Send us a text Note: To View the Video Version, Please Visit YouTube We kick off a seven-day Utah parks road trip with Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky, moving from the quick drama of Mesa Arch to the long horizons of Grand View and the unsolved geology of Upheaval Dome. Short hikes, big views, practical tips, and a standing question: meteor strike or salt dome collapse. • Mesa Arch hike overview and viewpoints • Trail etiquette and protecting cryptobiotic soil • Grand View Point rim trail hig...

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Send us a text Note: To View the Video Version, Please Visit YouTube We kick off a seven-day Utah parks road trip with Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky, moving from the quick drama of Mesa Arch to the long horizons of Grand View and the unsolved geology of Upheaval Dome. Short hikes, big views, practical tips, and a standing question: meteor strike or salt dome collapse. • Mesa Arch hike overview and viewpoints • Trail etiquette and protecting cryptobiotic soil • Grand View Point rim trail hig...

Show more...

Episodes (20/145)

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

A Seven-Day Utah Park Adventure Begins With Cliffs, Crowds, And A Crater Debate

Send us a text Note: To View the Video Version, Please Visit YouTube We kick off a seven-day Utah parks road trip with Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky, moving from the quick drama of Mesa Arch to the long horizons of Grand View and the unsolved geology of Upheaval Dome. Short hikes, big views, practical tips, and a standing question: meteor strike or salt dome collapse. • Mesa Arch hike overview and viewpoints • Trail etiquette and protecting cryptobiotic soil • Grand View Point rim trail hig...

5 days ago

7 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Crowds, Canyons, And Pie: What I Learned Traveling Utah's National Parks in 1 Week

Send us a text Note: If you are interested in a video version, please view it on YouTube. We road-trip the Big Five in eight days, moving from Canyonlands and Arches to Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion with honest notes on crowds, shuttles, permits, and weather. Expect practical routes, favorite hikes, and small tips that unlock big views, plus where to find the best pie. • Canyonlands Island in the Sky highlights and overlooks • Camping near Moab and permit basics • Arches access, Windo...

2 weeks ago

21 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Walking Mosca Pass: Fall Color, Quiet Creeks, And A Slice Of Colorado History

Send us a text Note: A video version is available on YouTube. Please send us a Message! Sand that moves like a stormy sea, a creek that sings under aspen fire, and a ridge that widens the world—this Mosca Pass hike delivers more than a modest mile count suggests. We start at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, trace Mosca Creek through shifting meadows and timber, and climb a steady grade toward a saddle lined in late-September gold. Along the way, we pause at a rock marker to unpack...

1 month ago

6 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Sometimes You Should Chase Waterfalls: Our Journey to Zapata Falls

Send us a text Note: Please See YouTube for the Video Version Ever wondered what geological treasures hide near Colorado's Great Sand Dunes? Join me on a refreshing detour to Zapata Falls, where ancient glacial forces created a stunning 25-foot waterfall tucked away in a rocky chasm. The adventure begins with a scenic half-mile hike through BLM land, leading to Zapata Creek. Don't be afraid to get your feet wet—the final approach requires wading through shallow water and navigating slippery ...

1 month ago

2 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Detour to a Ghost Resort: When Plan B Becomes the Adventure

Send us a text Note: Audio Only, See YouTube for Video Version Sometimes the best adventures come from unexpected detours. When bad weather derailed my plans to summit Mount Elbert, I discovered the hidden gem of Interlaken Trail near Leadville, Colorado – a 5-mile journey that transports hikers through time to a preserved "ghost resort" nestled along Twin Lakes. The trail offers stunning views of Mount Elbert (Colorado's highest peak) before arriving at the historic Interlaken resort comple...

1 month ago

7 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Journey Through Valle Caldera

Send us a text Note: Audio Only, Please see YouTube for the Video Version We explore Valle Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico, a 1.25-million-year-old dormant volcano with a massive magma chamber beneath its surface. The preserve features historic buildings, dramatic weather changes, and breathtaking views of mountain landscapes surrounding the massive caldera depression. • Historic cabin district includes structures dating back decades, each telling stories of the area's ranching histo...

3 months ago

23 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

The Hidden Gems of Jemez: Exploring Spence Hot Springs

Send us a text Note: Audio Version Only, Please See YouTube for Video. Ever stumbled upon a natural wonder that feels like a well-kept secret? That's exactly what awaits at Spence Hot Springs, tucked away in New Mexico's breathtaking Jemez Mountains. Nestled within the Santa Fe National Forest just outside Jemez Springs, these thermal pools offer a perfect blend of accessibility and natural beauty. After a quick 0.4-mile hike across the Jemez River, you'll discover a series of warm, soothing...

3 months ago

5 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Hiking Bandelier's Ancient Canyon

Send us a text Note: Audio Only, Please See YouTube for the Video Version Step into the ancient world of Bandelier National Monument through this immersive backpacking journey along the Rito de las Frijoles (Bean Creek). What begins as a simple overnight trek quickly transforms into a fascinating exploration of natural wonders and human history nestled in north-central New Mexico. The trail winds through diverse ecosystems where riparian habitats meet towering cliff faces, creating an ecolog...

3 months ago

15 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Rock Art and Room Service: Apartment Living, Ancient Style

Send us a text Note: Audio Only, See YouTube For Full Video Step back in time with me as we explore the ancient wonders of Tsankawi at Bandelier National Monument. This remarkable archaeological site offers a rare window into the lives of ancestral Puebloan people who made these cliffside dwellings their home centuries ago. Walking through what was once a bustling central plaza, I discovered pottery fragments scattered across rocks—tangible connections to those who lived here long befo...

3 months ago

6 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Rock Stars: The Handprints, Macaws, and Mysteries of Rio Grande Style Art

Send us a text Note: Audio Only, See YouTube for Video Version Craig the Natural Medic explores the Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque, New Mexico, discovering ancient rock carvings etched into volcanic basalt across three distinct canyon areas. • Piedras Marcadas Canyon features hundreds of petroglyphs on a 1.5-mile trail showing animals, humanoid figures, and handprints • Ancestral Pueblo people created the Rio Grande style petroglyphs between 1000 BC and 1700 AD • Boca Negra Ca...

3 months ago

24 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Exploring North America's Tallest Sand Dunes: A Journey Through Great Sand Dunes National Park

Send us a text Note: Audio Only, Please see YouTube for the Video Version The tallest dunes in North America reside unexpectedly in Colorado, where wind and water have shaped massive sand formations surrounded by mountain ranges. This remarkable landscape serves as both a natural basin that collects eroded sand and a historic landmark, first documented by Zebulon Pike in 1807. • Natural basin surrounded by mountains creates perfect conditions for sand collection • Sand surfing opportunities ...

4 months ago

9 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Essential Backcountry Water Filtration: Your First Line of Defense

Send us a text Note: Audio Only. Please see YouTube for the Video Version. Craig introduces his countdown of the 10 essential items for backpacking, starting with the most critical: water filtration in the wilderness. We explore why even pristine-looking mountain streams require treatment before drinking and demonstrate how to use the Platypus water filter system effectively. • Water is our body's most essential need in the wilderness • Beautiful streams often contain invisible harmful organ...

4 months ago

4 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Shredding Ski Cooper: No Crowds, Great Value

Send us a text Audio only, see YouTube for full video...Thanks Ski Cooper outside Leadville, Colorado, offers an affordable, uncrowded skiing experience with rich historical connections to the 10th Mountain Division. The resort stands apart from corporate-owned ski areas, offering great value tickets and a meaningful opportunity to honor the veterans who shaped American skiing. • Natural Medic films a ski run at Ski Cooper, experiencing ideal conditions with manageable crowds • Detailed hist...

4 months ago

12 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Desert Giants: A Birthday Hike Through Saguaro National Park

Send us a text Note: Audio Only, See YouTube for Video Version Craig the Natural Medic takes us on a meaningful journey through Saguaro National Park in Arizona as he celebrates his 50th birthday. The magnificent saguaros standing sentinel throughout the park create a stunning backdrop while showcasing the resilience of desert ecosystems that once faced predictions of disappearing completely by the 1990s. • Exploration of Saguaro National Park's East District near Tucson on April 4, 2025 • D...

4 months ago

13 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Balanced Rocks and Buffalo Soldiers: Arizona's Strangest National Monument

Send us a text Note: Audio Only, Please see YouTube for Video Version Standing among the towering hoodoos and balanced rocks of Chiricahua National Monument feels like stepping into another world. These extraordinary formations weren't crafted by human hands but by 32 million years of volcanic activity and persistent erosion. Located in southeastern Arizona near the small towns of Bowie and Wilcox, this hidden gem offers visitors a chance to explore one of America's most distinctive landscape...

5 months ago

20 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Exploring the Continental Divide: A Quick Snowshoe Adventure at Tennessee Pass

Send us a text Audio only, see YouTube for Video Craig the Natural Medic explores the Tennessee Pass Trailhead where the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide National Scenic Trail intersect. He takes a short snowshoe trek at over 10,000 feet elevation, sharing trail insights and snowshoeing tips during his adventure. • Snowshoeing at Tennessee Pass near Ski Cooper and the 10th Mountain Memorial • The trail serves as a junction for both the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide National ...

5 months ago

4 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Backpack Essentials: Day Hiking Gear Guide for 2025

Send us a text Note: Audio Version only, see YouTube for Video Version Craig the Natural Medic shares his comprehensive day hiking gear setup for 2025, highlighting essential items that ensure safety and comfort on southwestern trails. His experience as a paramedic and a former park ranger provides these practical recommendations for hikers of all experience levels. • Sun protection strategy includes the Outdoor Vitals sun hoodie with thumb holes and hood coverage • Convertible pants offer v...

5 months ago

7 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Walk the Plank: The Dizzying Heights of Gila's Historic Catwalk

Send us a text Note: Audio only, please see YouTube for video version. Hidden within the rugged terrain of New Mexico's Gila National Forest lies an engineering marvel with a fascinating past. The Catwalk National Recreational Trail suspends visitors along sheer canyon walls, following a path first blazed by silver miners in the 1890s. My journey begins at the trailhead where interpretive signs reveal the area's rich mining heritage. When silver and gold were discovered in Whitewater Canyon ...

5 months ago

24 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Ancient Towers on the Utah-Colorado Border: Exploring Hovenweep National Monument

Send us a text Note: Audio Only, please see YouTube for Video Version. Step back in time with me as we explore the hidden archaeological wonders of Hovenweep National Monument, straddling the Utah-Colorado border. Few travelers discover this remote treasure, home to remarkable stone towers built by Ancestral Puebloans nearly 1,000 years ago. My two-hour journey around the canyon rim revealed architectural marvels that continue to defy both gravity and time. Hovenweep Castle stands prou...

5 months ago

4 minutes

Thenaturalmedic Adventures

Wild Waters: The San Francisco Hot Springs Trek

Send us a text Note: This is audio only; please see YouTube for the whole video experience. Thanks! Please send us an email! The quest for natural wonders often leads to unexpected discoveries. My journey to San Francisco Hot Springs, tucked away in New Mexico's Gila National Forest, proved to be exactly that kind of revelation. Setting off from the trailhead in my truck (affectionately named "Black Panther"), I began the 1.3-mile descent toward the promise of wild thermal waters. The trail ...

5 months ago

7 minutes