The Good Wolf Gazette (Our Blog!)

I hate the cold, but I also hate to give up camping for the whole winter because it brings clear night skies, better views after the trees have dropped their leaves, fewer people, and fewer insects. So I use some hacks to help keep me warmer when the temperature drops into the 20s or teens. My preferred hiking attire of...

Don’t put your hiking shoes away for winter, because this is a great time to enjoy the Potomac Heritage Trail (PHT). The PHT is actually a network of trails stretching from near Fredericksburg to north of Harper’s Ferry, highlighting the natural and human history of the Potomac River and including a 15-mile contiguous natural-surface path from Great Falls National Park...

After the last leaf has fallen and other plants have died back for winter, the Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) brings a touch of green to the forest floor all winter with its evergreen fronds. Named for these fronds that persist through Christmas and all winter long, Christmas Fern is native to the eastern United States, and I have observed them...

  Do you want to see some fall color in the mountains, but you want to avoid the traffic on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah? Try Signal Knob on Massanutten Mountain in George Washington National Forest! Just over an hour's drive from Good Wolf Gear, the Signal Knob trailhead (38.935, -78.320) is your entry to this 10 mile loop on the Massanutten, Meneka Peak, and Tuscarora Trails. The...

Here’s a "tip" for hiking poles: Rubber hiking pole tips reduce damage to the trail, are quieter on rocks and roads, and provide excellent grip on most surfaces. Quality tips will last 100s of miles, but they eventually become rounded off and need replacement. I put a wrap of cloth tape on my pole for a tighter fit, and I’ve...

Remember to adjust your hiking pole length for an extended uphill or downhill trail. A shorter pole helps maintain a natural arm position going uphill as the trail is higher in front of you. Likewise, a longer pole is good for downhill. An inch or two (2.5-5cm) of adjustment is all it takes.I shortened my poles 2 inches ascending the...

Always start out a little chilly; you’ll warm up quickly. Sweat and wet layers are not your friend. Have a layer handy if you stop for more than a few minutes. Drink some water every hour while hiking. Don’t stop until you’re peeing clear. Slow down after dinner to get through the night, then drink a full liter after breakfast...

A bandana or similarly sized non-cotton cloth is an essential backpacking accessory. Multiple uses from wiping your forehead or nose to helping keep sun off the back of your neck. I like to hang mine on one of the loops on my pack’s shoulder straps for easy access while hiking.When you return from any backpacking adventure, it’s always a useful...