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Merino Tech Long Sleeve Thermal Shirt Review

The Merino Tech Long Sleeve Thermal Shirt, made out of 100% super fine merino wool, is a soft but durable base layer for hiking and camping. It keeps you warm on those chillier days on the trail, even when you’re sweating, and naturally keeps the sweat odors to a minimum. The shape and design are flattering, and though the color …

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Topanga State Park Camping News – 1st Quarter 2023

Musch Trail Camp now open Musch Trail Camp is open once again after waterline repair in the last part of 2022.  Everything is back to normal.  I tested the water flush toilets last time I hiked, and they seemed to work pretty good.  Or at least no worse than before the repair.  The potable water faucet and fountain at the …

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What’s Up With The Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Jacket – Review

The Cotopaxi Fuego hooded jacket is a warm, comfortable, down puffer jacket that can be used as an insulating layer in the colder seasons. It packs down into its own pocket, to the size of a small backpacking pillow, and has no problem serving as one. And its water resistant down, and DWR finish buys you enough time to find …

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Indian Cove Campground Review

In this review of Indian Cove Campground at Joshua Tree, California, I’ll give you all the necessary information to decide if this high desert camping area is right for you. I’ll also go through the frequently asked questions the internet is currently asking about this campground. But beforehand, I’ll walk you through getting there, directly below. Indian Cove Campground Location …

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Camping Topanga State Park – Everything You Need To Know

Topanga State Park has one campsite inside its boundaries – Musch Trail Camp. I’ll go over everything you need to know to successfully camp at this unfrequented site in the Santa Monica Mountains. Backpacking To Musch Trail Camp The very first thing you need to know about camping in Topanga State Park is that you have to backpack into the …

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How To: Quick, Easy Car and Tent Camping With the Toyota Prius Prime

In this article I will show you how to camp with your Toyota Prius Prime and a tent, doing so in a quick and easy manner. This method will actually work with any small car. But the point is that you’ll be able to load and unload your car in a quick fashion, with minimal, lightweight gear, circumventing the burden …

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How To Feel Safe at Night When Camping

If your not used to camping outdoors, the thought of being caught off guard while sleeping, by some spooky animal or trespasser, can rob you of your precious slumber, and make you feel run down the next day. Here are several ways you can feel safer at night when sleeping exposed to nature. Use a Tent When we were kids, …

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Guide to Easy and Cheap Camping at Topanga State Park

Welcome to my guide on budget Topanga State Park camping! The park has one small campground, Musch Trail Camp, located on the Musch Trail, which is part of a larger, thru-hiking trail called The Backbone Trail. We’re focused on easy camping here, so we’re no going to go into thru-hiking the Backbone, but I’ll let you know up front, you …

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El Capitan State Beach – Car and Tent Campsite Review

I’ve car+tent camped at El Capitan State Beach, CA a total of 3 times in unique campsite locations, and have day-visited half a dozen other times. So I think I’ve started to get enough of a feel for the place to say something about it, in a review. Here’s what I’ve found so far. Where is El Capitan State Beach, …

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How To Score Campsites on Reserve California

Grabbing your favorite camping site on the days you want on Reserve California can be notoriously difficult, since demand often exceeds supply, which creates hording behavior in the California camping community, this then exacerbating and perpetuating the supply issue. Here are my tips for tilting the chance of reserving a good spot in your favor. Understanding The Basics of Reserve …