Thenaturalmedic Adventures

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We hike New Mexico’s Valley of Dreams to hunt for hoodoos, petrified wood, and the famous Alien Throne hidden beyond a faint, unmarked path. Along the way, we spot the Three Wise Men formation, salt deposits by a rare bit of water, and a strange rock-walled structure on the hike out. 
• starting out near the Valley of Dreams and heading toward badlands formations 
• spotting petrified wood similar to species found in Arizona 
• climbing ridges for panoramic views and locating the Alien Throne 
• seeing the Three Wise Men rock pillars 
• noticing water in a gully and white salt deposits 
• exploring nearby hoodoos that look like mushrooms and animal faces 
• hiking back out and finding rock walls that might be a storehouse 
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We hike Canyon of the Ancients National Monument from the Dolores visitor center to the Sand Canyon Trail, chasing big views and even bigger history. We connect Sleeping Ute Mountain’s origin story and geology to Ancestral Puebloan ruins like Sunny Alcove, Corncob House, and other cliff dwellings hidden in dry alcoves. 
• arriving at the Canyon of the Ancients visitor center and museum basics 
• walking the Dominguez Escalante Pueblo trail and spotting room blocks and a central kiva 
• linking Sleeping Ute Mountain myth to laccolith geology 
• scanning the landscape toward the La Plata Mountains, Mesa Verde, and McPhee Reservoir 
• summarizing the Dominguez and Escalante expedition and why their journals matter 
• heading to Sand Canyon Trail near Cortez and using spur trails to reach viewpoints 
• visiting Saddlehorn Pueblo, Corncob House, Double Cliff House, and Sunny Alcove 
• reflecting on how people lived in cliff alcoves and how modern names get assigned 
• wrapping the hike with distance and time plus favorite-site picks 
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700-plus steps down, a windy ledge under a limestone roof, and a cliffside “apartment” complex that once held a thriving community. I’m Craig Nitromedic, and I’m taking you along the Island Trail at Walnut Canyon outside Flagstaff for a fast, grounded tour of one of Arizona’s most memorable archaeological sites.

As we walk, we look closely at how the rooms were built and expanded over time, why the limestone overhang matters, and what the layout suggests about family growth, storage, and daily life. We also talk about the hard reality of survival here: Walnut Creek sits below, but water isn’t guaranteed, so seasonal rainfall and snowmelt would have shaped how people stored water and planned ahead. Along the way, I share a clear warning about why you shouldn’t enter certain shelters today, from preservation concerns to rodents and disease risk.

We also face the site’s more troubling history. Souvenir hunting once damaged and destroyed rooms, leaving collapsed rubble that still marks the cliffside, and I explain why modern protections as a national monument make that illegal now. To wrap up, we climb back up those steps at roughly 6,670 feet, then check out the plants and wildlife that still define the canyon, including the Arizona black walnut that inspired the name, plus owls, mountain lions, snowberry, and prickly pear cactus.

If you enjoy Arizona hiking, Flagstaff day trips, cliff dwellings, Indigenous history, and responsible travel on public lands, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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We break down four concrete reasons trekking poles belong in a hiking or backpacking kit, from better posture to real stability on rough ground. We also share how we choose and set up our poles, and why they can double as shelter support and first-aid tools when things go sideways. 
• Why trekking poles are not just for older hikers 
• setting pole height for better posture and biomechanics 
• choosing foldable versus collapsible designs and lever locks 
• using trekking poles with trekking pole tents to reduce pack weight 
• keeping tip covers for sensitive terrain and safer use 
• turning a pole into a splint in a first aid situation 
• gaining stability on stream crossings, boulder fields, and steep descents 
If you have questions about trekking poles, drop those in the comments below. If you're on the podcast, make sure to listen, click that link, and drop me an email letting me know what you're thinking about, what you have questions about. If you like this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up. Don't forget to subscribe to the channel so you can see more great content just like this.

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We travel from Wukoki's sandstone perch to Wupatki's 100-room complex, tracing trade routes, desert farming, and the living science of a breathing blowhole. Along the way, we weigh preservation, oral histories, and how plazas and ball courts shaped community life.

• Wukoki's defensive siting and sandstone construction
• Site etiquette and why artifacts must stay put
• Ripple marks as geology's timeline beneath pueblos
• Wupatki as a trade hub linking north and south
• Meanings of the blowhole in science and tradition
• Ball court uses across sports, ceremonies, and storage
• Three Sisters planting and dryland agriculture
• Nalakihu's modest footprint and Citadel's basalt walls
• Terraces, sinkholes, and the land's hidden fractures
• Living ties for Hopi and Zuni communities today

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We hike the Bonita Vista and Lenox Crater trails at Sunset Crater, share why NASA trained astronauts here, and explain how a thousand-year-old eruption reshaped this volcanic field. We give practical tips on altitude, footing, water, and protected areas you cannot hike in.

• quick overview of Bonita Vista and Lenox Crater loop
• Why astronauts trained on Sunset Crater terrain
• what to expect at 7,000 feet and why to hydrate
• views of the San Francisco Peaks, O’Leary Peak, and Bonita Lava Flow
• why Sunset Crater’s cone is closed to protect fragile soils
• accessible options on the Lava Flow Trail
• planning advice for late starts and cinder footing

If you have questions or comments about Sunset Crater, please let me know by emailing or texting me.

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We walk through a trail-tested cook system built for fast boils, hot coffee, and simple packability, comparing stainless durability with titanium weight savings. Along the way, we demo the BRS 3000T, share smart add-ons, and show how everything nests for a tidy carry.

• waterproof dry bag setup and packing order
• Stanley stainless cup with graduated marks to 600 ml
• boil-only routine for dehydrated meals and coffee
• BRS 3000T stove pros, cons, and lighting
• regulator absence and practical fuel efficiency
• GSI Spice Missile for six compact seasonings
• Sea to Summit X Mug for collapsible 16 oz drinks
• long-handled Toaks spoon for deep pouches
• stainless vs titanium trade-offs and longevity
• total kit weight of about 12.3 ounces
• affordable, durable, budget-friendly choices
• links for products and affiliate note


If you want to purchase those for yourself, there'll be some affiliate links.

Affiliate Product Links

 Stanley Adventure Cup

https://amzn.to/4a75IKL

BRS 3000T Backpacking Stove

https://amzn.to/45Y06Qz

Toaks Long Handle Titanium Spoon

https://amzn.to/46HrjXY

Sea to Summit Cup

https://amzn.to/4rEka2P

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See you out on the trail!

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We walk the Florissant Fossil Beds and trace how volcanic mudflows turned a living redwood forest into a world-class fossil site. Along the way, we meet Eocene mammals, explore ancient climate, and reflect on the human choices that saved this place from development.

• planning trails around the visitor center and winter hours
• overview of Eocene mammals and insect fossils
• how lahars buried trees and silicified wood
• reading tree rings for ancient climate insight
• redwood cloning and why redwoods no longer grow here
• Lake Florissant’s brief life and rich fossil layers
• the Big Stump, souvenir damage, and saw marks
• Charlotte Hill’s butterfly and the scientist lineage
• preservation vs development and the 1969 park designation
• ongoing research to locate buried stumps and future discoveries


If you have any questions or comments about this site, let me know by sending a message!

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We hike Zion’s Emerald Pools from lower to upper, compare the routes, and share realistic time estimates, views, and trail tips. Sudden rain, green water, and a few confusing junctions turn a short outing into a vivid tour of the canyon’s layers.

• lower, middle, and upper route options compared
• time and distance expectations for each segment
• Why the water looks green from algal growth
• navigating confusing junctions on the upper spur
• handling rain, wet rock, and changing conditions
• best views over the Virgin River valley
• choosing where to turn around based on effort and reward

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We walk the Riverside Walk to the start of Zion’s Narrows, explain how the Virgin River carved the canyon, and talk through safety, gear, and why crowds change the experience. We end with plans to return better equipped and an invite to subscribe for more Zion content.

• route basics for the Riverside Walk and Narrows
• how the Virgin River carved the canyon and sand deposits
• why the canyon narrows upstream and widens toward Springdale
• weeping wall, hanging gardens and seep-fed ecology
• where the paved path ends and wading begins
• gear tips for cold water and slick footing
• flash flood risk, closures and reading conditions
• wildlife encounters and leave-no-trace reminders
• filming challenges, crowds and timing strategy
• plans to return with proper gear for the full route

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