Thenaturalmedic Adventures

• Reading Rock Art: Petroglyphs, Dinosaurs, And Time

  Send us a textNote: Please see YouTube for a video versionWe trace Utah's Potash Road to packed petroglyph panels and nearby dinosaur tracks, unpacking how to identify motifs, read track slabs, and protect fragile surfaces. Along the way, we confront vandalism, clarify what not to touch, and share simple steps to leave no trace.• difference between pictographs and petroglyphs• anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures on multiple panels• Archaic and Fremont period styles and dates• roadside access and safe viewing tips• theropod track types on Navajo Sandstone• Why chalking, casting, and touching cause harm• how vandalism alters meaning and experience• quick methods to photograph and document responsiblyIf you like this video, give it a thumbs upThink about subscribing to the channel for more contentOr if you have any questions, let me knowAnd leave those belowIf you're listening to the podcast, click that link to email me and let me know what you're thinking.Support the show

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

  Send us a textNote: To View the Video Version, Please Visit YouTubeWe 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 highlights and river layout• Parking pressure, timing, and safety around crowds• Upheaval Dome theories: meteor impact versus salt uplift and collapse• Route-finding with cairns and a second overlook payoff• Recommendations on best spots and day pacingIf you're liking this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up so other people can see it on YouTubePlease stay on trails and establish roadways, as you can damage the fragile crustThink about subscribing to the channelIf you're listening on the podcast, send me an emailSupport the show

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

  Send us a textNote: 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, Windows area, Double Arch logistics• Off-season timing and crowd strategies• Capitol Reef history, Fruita orchards, Cathedral Valley• Bryce Canyon hoodoos, key trails, elevation realities• Zion shuttles, closures, parking, and water advisories• Narrows approach, Emerald Pools, and missed Canyon Overlook• Lodging mix across towns, cabins, and camps• Upcoming individual hike videos and Q&AGive this video a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and consider subscribing so you don’t miss the hike videos. Let me know if you have any questions or comments; I’d love to answer them for you.Support the show

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

  Send us a textNote: 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 pioneer footsteps and revisit Zebulon Pike’s vivid line about dunes as waves, then follow the faint bones of an old toll road that once pulled wagons over the range before a 1911 washout rewrote the route.At the top, Mosca Pass opens into color: aspens flaring across the ridge, a meadow catching light, and the San Luis Valley stretching under a high, clean sky. We trade route notes—3.7 miles to the pass, about 850 feet of gain, two hours at a leisurely pace—and share small, practical wins like letting the creek set your rhythm and stopping often to look back at the dunes below. The contrast is the point here. The desert gives way to forest, history brushes against wilderness, and a gentle trail still finds a way to feel expansive. On the descent, an abandoned truck stirs a round of theories, and the old road’s profile tells a quiet story about water and time.If you’re scouting Colorado hikes with fall color, moderate effort, and real payoff, Mosca Pass belongs on your list. Come for the views and stay for the textures: the hiss of meadow grass, the cool draw by the creek, the sudden hush in the trees. Watch, share your best guess about the truck’s fate, and tell us your favorite shoulder-season hike. If you enjoy the journey, tap 'subscribe,' hit the thumbs up, and share this episode with a friend who needs an easy win with a panoramic finish. Support the show

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• Sometimes You Should Chase Waterfalls: Our Journey to Zapata Falls

  Send us a textNote: Please See YouTube for the Video VersionEver 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 rocks, but the reward is absolutely worth it! As I discovered, the falls cascade dramatically into what locals call the "Pot of Falls," creating a cool, misty sanctuary that contrasts beautifully with the nearby desert landscape.What makes this site particularly fascinating is its geological history. The waterfall formed approximately two million years ago when glaciers shaped the San Gregorio de Cristo mountains. These ancient ice masses deposited enormous rock piles (moraines) and created weak spots where water could carve its way through—eventually forming the falls we see today. This natural wonder offers a perfect example of how diverse Colorado's landscape truly is, with sand dunes and waterfalls existing just miles apart.If you're planning a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park, I strongly recommend adding Zapata Falls to your itinerary. The entire hike is only about a mile round trip, making it accessible for most visitors while still feeling like you've discovered something special off the beaten path. Sometimes you really should chase waterfalls! Have you explored any hidden gems near famous national parks? Share your discoveries in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe for more trail adventures!Support the show

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