What is it like?  It’s pretty awesome.  My personal passions for hiking and camping with my family come to life in my ability to inspire and outfit others for their outdoor adventures.  I work with a great team, and there has been a ton of opportunity to develop and grow my career with REI over the years.  It’s never boring, that’s for sure! ... View more

Hi @LiveOutdoors! My family has experience with a variety of car-camping setups, and it definitely depends on the length of the trip, how many nights per location, and what activities we'll be doing.  We've done big trips setting up a base camp with a 6-8 person tent, but if we're just stopping somewhere for one night it's easier to split up into smaller backpacking tents then quickly pack up the next morning.  I agree with you - it's nice to be able to stand up in a tent if you're in it for multiple days!  We have recently graduated up to an adventure rig for overlanding adventures, pulling a gear trailer with a rooftop tent behind our truck.  This setup has revolutionized both our short and long trips, as the rooftop tent is far easier to pop up and take down compared to a 6-8 person ground tent.  We keep the trailer loaded with gear so we're ready at a moment's notice - it has cut our packing time down tremendously and gives us more time to enjoy the outdoors.  These days we're all about convenience, and having the rooftop tent on the trailer makes it the perfect setup for our family. ... View more

Hi @stevenD! REI Medford has partnered with local grant partner Siskiyou Mountain Club for a hike to the Bigfoot Trap found on the Collings Mountain Trail. The hike starts and ends near Applegate Lake and is a beautiful 6-mile jaunt just outside of Williams, OR. We came across the trap, but there was no sign of Bigfoot. The only thing captured that day were photos of my kids!  ... View more

Hi @katie123  A top spot is Mosquito Flat (don't let the name deter you!).  It's easy to access off Highway 395 and the trail takes you along a string of scenic lakes and mountains as far as you want to hike over a weekend out and back - perfect for a family trip.  You'll be in bear country, so be prepared!  Here is a link to the Mosquito Flat backpacker's campground at the Little Lakes Valley Trailhead, where you'll find additional information on the surrounding area in the Inyo National Forest including ranger station contacts, permitting requirements, and helpful details.  Happy hiking! ... View more