Welcome

I really started The Outdoor Gems to share outdoor experiences through photography and storytelling to inspire more people to get outside. If more people got outdoors; took a walk, hike, went snowboarding, sat around a campfire, and surfed in the ocean, I think the world would be a better place.

-Jeremiah

Greatest Places to Go

The Complete Ski Resort Guide to Aspen Snowmass in Colorado
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The Complete Ski Resort Guide to Aspen Snowmass in Colorado

Aspen Colorado, probably one of the most Iconic ski town names in the snow world. Not far from downtown Aspen is Snowmass, the largest of 4 Aspen resorts and the one that seemed to always be my favorite. I first took a vacation to this mountain years ago driving across the country on a bus for a college ski club trip. First time in Colorado snowboarding and I was speechless. The runs seemed to go on forever and the terrain was endless. Making the trek back here years later has been a trip, not much has changed other then new on mountain dining, and a new base area. Although Snowmass continues to make new upgrades it still has the home like feel to it..

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Beginner Hikes in Colorado, Trekking the Monarch Pass Loop near Salida
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Beginner Hikes in Colorado, Trekking the Monarch Pass Loop near Salida

Looking to explore one of many Colorado Mountain Passes? With Colorado having numerous amazing mountain passes to drive along in the summer and fall, Monarch Pass is one you should add to the list. The top of Monarch Pass is actually right where the ski resort is, Monarch Mountain. A smaller mountain with a local vibe. In the summer there is a scenic gondola and also a few hiking/biking trails. If you’re staying in Salida, this is an awesome place

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Favorite Trails near Salida Colorado, Hiking to the Tenderfoot Hill Tower and Loop
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Favorite Trails near Salida Colorado, Hiking to the Tenderfoot Hill Tower and Loop

After discovering river surfing in Salida Colorado, I started to take trips to Chaffee County in the summer and this past summer I ended up spending some time in Salida, not just river surfing, but exploring a lot of the outdoor recreation this area has to offer. The actual town reminds me of something out of the 1960’s as it has an old fashion feel to it, with Brick Buildings, small shops, and even a revamped drug store that sells ice cream. It’s a more quiet town which is why I like to visit the area so much in the summer. If you love the outdoors especially river activities, Salida is one of the best if not the best places in the state for that kind of outdoor passion.

Right in town is an awesome trail that you can either loop it or just hike up to the watch tower and back down into town. I decided to hike the entire loop starting in the afternoon and was racing the clock towards the end as the sun

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Hidden Gem Hikes in Colorado, Hiking the Waterdog Lakes Trail near Salida
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Hidden Gem Hikes in Colorado, Hiking the Waterdog Lakes Trail near Salida

So you might be visiting Salida Colorado for a day or maybe you are looking for something new or different in Colorado for hiking. If you’re looking for day hikes in the Chaffee county area, Waterdog Lake up near Monarch Pass is a good simple hike with some nice views towards the top. It’s a shorter hike, but one of my favorites from the summer

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Best Hiking Trails in Crested Butte, The Scenic Teocalli Ridge Loop
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Best Hiking Trails in Crested Butte, The Scenic Teocalli Ridge Loop

Crested Butte in the summer is one of the best places to explore different hiking trails. The area has everything from short scenic paths to ten mile plus day hikes with elevation gain that will take you to the top of some awesome overlook areas such as TeoCalli Ridge!. After getting a recommendation from a friend on this hike last minute, I decided to go for it. It wasn’t far from town, so I grabbed breakfast at a local bagel shop in town and then made my way towards the trailhead.

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Colorado Mountain Towns near Denver, A day trip to Silver Plume
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Colorado Mountain Towns near Denver, A day trip to Silver Plume

One thing that makes Colorado unique is the number of historic mountain towns through out the state. Some more popular than others such as Crested Butte, Telluride, and Breckenridge. However, there’s still a number of hidden gem towns with outdoor recreation and cool history. One being the very small town of Silver Plume.

Only dirt roads with one main street, this is one of the smallest towns I’ve been to in Colorado. However, there’s a really cool

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Three Secret Beaches near Sayulita Mexico
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Three Secret Beaches near Sayulita Mexico

So you’ve made it to Sayulita in Mexico and you’re interested in checking out a few secret beaches. That’s what I liked about taking a surf trip to this area were the beaches within close proximity to town. These beaches are pretty secluded and you can visit them anytime of day (although nothing beats a good sunset at the beach). Bring a good book, blanket, some snacks, and enjoy some

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Sayulita Mexico, The ultimate guide for a surf trip
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Sayulita Mexico, The ultimate guide for a surf trip

I first took a surf trip to Mexico when I decided to leave my job after some downsizing on the companies end and with some time off to spare, I ventured south in search of good waves, warm weather, and amazing food. Sayulita exceeded my expectations and although it felt touristy at times, the food and coffee were incredible, the vibes were laidback, and there always seemed to be waves. Not to mention you don’t really need a car to get around as there is public transportation and companies that

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3 Easy Spring Hikes near Breckenridge worth checking out
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3 Easy Spring Hikes near Breckenridge worth checking out

Spring in the mountains is probably one of the best times of the year if you’re a local living in a ski town. Winters are pretty long, days are short, and the workload can be pretty exhausting as most people work 2 jobs to make a living. So when spring rolls around and the snow starts to melt along with trails starting to thaw out, it’s nice to go for an evening hike.

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Utah Ski Resorts, A trip to Brighton
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Utah Ski Resorts, A trip to Brighton

Ever considered taking a ski or snowboard trip to Utah? Known to be one of the best places in the world to ride, on a good week the snow can stack up quick giving one a taste of the “champagne powder.” A coined term of light fluffy powder that you can experience if good snow rolls through. There are some amazing ski resorts to ski or snowboard at in Utah, but one of my favorites is Brighton. It’s

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Snowboarding on your first Day, Top Tips and Advice
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Snowboarding on your first Day, Top Tips and Advice

Alright so you’ve thought about giving snowboarding a try or you’ve been considering switching over from skis for a day to see what it’s all about. One of the most rewarding activities you’ll get into is snowboarding (also pretty challenging at times). Riding a snowboard will teach you a lot of life lessons through..

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Meet Jeremiah

Growing up, I loved being outside. I took a lot of cool trips with my family, whether it was camping, going to the beach, road trips, and national parks. Even though I didn’t fully appreciate those experiences at the time, as I got older I started getting more into the outdoors and traveling, reconnecting with my past. The feeling of traveling or going somewhere new always seems to give a sense of excitement or adventure.

Snowboarding and boardsports in general have been a passion of mine for over 20 years. I always loved the culture that came with it; from local retail shops to magazines and videos, to riding with friends as well as geeking out on the latest gear, it’s all part of the experience. After working in snowboard/outdoor gear shops for the past decade along with traveling to different outdoor places, I decided to put all of that experience in digital form to inspire and connect with other people.