Brynn SchmidtExplorer

I love wilderness/beaches: photography, hiking, camping, backpacking, conservation and hanging out with my guys while they climb. Mom, wife and co-founder of non-profit organization serving in Gabon and DRC, Africa. Find me on Instagram @brynn.alise.photography

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New Timed Entry System for Rocky Mountain National Park

Brynn Schmidt

With the recent Covid-19 pandemic and following CDC, state and local recommendations for less crowds, the park has started a new reservation system for this summer. You cannot enter without a permit, so plan ahead. So far, I think it is a great step so that the park is not overly crowded and it is a more enjoyable experience overall.

For A Time Like This - Backyard Wildlife Photography

Brynn Schmidt

A lot of us are missing our adventurous life-style right now as we shelter in place at home. While we cannot get out and do a lot of our usual outdoor activities, there is a lot of opportunity to enjoy the beauty in our backyards, neighborhoods and local trails. Grab a camera or your phone and get out and capture your local beauty!

Join the Nature First Photography Alliance

Brynn Schmidt

As an outdoor community, we are all seeing the negative impacts in many wild places that our adventures and photography are creating. I have been working on how to change my practices and found this awesome international organization focused on "conserving the places we love and photograph through wise use, education, outreach, community, and research" -- Nature First. I am now the Rocky Mountain Region Community Advocate for Nature First and look forward to connecting with any of you interested in joining the movement or learning more.

New Permit & Shuttle System for Hanging Lake, Colorado

Brynn Schmidt

Hanging Lake in Colorado has been a very popular hike for decades. With the rise in hikers over the years, the area was getting damaged and something had to be done to protect this natural wonder in the Glenwood Springs area as well as the falls. I didn't think I would be a proponent of the new shuttle system, but it was an excellent experience as there were less hikers than I have seen here ever and it was awesome.

How the Wilderness Saved Me While Living with Chronic Pain

Brynn Schmidt

Living with chronic back pain and going through major surgery took a toll on my adventurous lifestyle. However, it led me to find new experiences in the wilderness through photography and finding peace with just being in nature.

Give Back: Protect Our Wild Spaces with Year-End Giving

Brynn Schmidt

It is December and a lot of the non-profits protecting our lands and wildlife currently have matching grants. If you use these lands, help us all protect them by donating to the work they are doing.

It's Time for Fall Color in Rocky Mountain National Park

Brynn Schmidt

This is the most incredible time of year in Rocky Mountain National Park. The colors are near peak and the next 7-10 days is a great time to visit. The elk are active and will become more active throughout the end of September and through October, but color is beautiful right now and should be from mid-late September.

Recommendations for a Week in Yellowstone (Winter or Early Spring)

Brynn Schmidt

There is so much to do in Yellowstone in winter and early spring. If you haven't experienced this park in winter, you are definitely missing out. From cross-country skiing to the boiling river to snow coach tours and more - and with very low crowds. Check out these recommendations for a week in Yellowstone in my favorite season there, winter.

Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Brynn Schmidt

The Senate passed The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act early Saturday morning on December 2, 2017. Most of us are aware of this but are you aware that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge becomes open for oil and drilling because of it? The act, if reconciled with the House bill and signed by President Trump will allow for the sale of oil and gas leases in a section of the refuge. As the Wilderness Society phrases it, "Some places are just too wild to build. Together we can protect them." - Wilderness Society website (1)

Are We Insta-Destroying Our Wild Places? The Importance of Conservation

Brynn Schmidt

Our national parks and public lands are suffering from reduced funding and a huge influx in traffic. Those of us who spend time in our national parks and nature in general need to advocate and learn to protect it for future generations. Learning more about conservation and practicing it is more important than ever - especially for those of us on social media.

Recommendations for a Week of Adventure in Joshua Tree

Brynn Schmidt

There is nothing like the stillness and peace of the desert. Joshua Tree National Park grows on me each time I visit and is starting to make its way to the top of my favorite park list. I definitely recommend checking it out and I wanted to share some of what I love about this park and some recommendations for climbing, camping and other activities.

5 Things to Know Before Adventuring in Joshua Tree National Park

Brynn Schmidt

Joshua Tree is an incredible national park to explore for climbing, camping, hiking and photography. However, there are a few important things to know before you go. These will make a difference in whether you have an incredible and safe experience or a difficult one.

5 Ways to Instill a Love of Nature in Your Kids

Brynn Schmidt

Teach your kids to love nature and wildlife at an early age and they will carry that passion into their teenage years and beyond. Here are some ways we did this with our boys.

When Camping Doesn't Go As Planned, But You Make the Most of It

Brynn Schmidt

Sometimes adventures don't go as planned and instead of roughing it and toughing it out, you adjust and admit you don't have to be so adventurous all the time. So while we did camp in 28-40 degree weather for a little over one day in rain/snow with a river of melted snow running through our swampy campsite, we didn't exactly rough it the whole time.

Pledge to Protect our National Parks

Brynn Schmidt

As record crowds continue to descend upon our national parks and wild places and funding is drastically cut for our parks, we need to step up and do more as adventurers who frequent these awesome places. The National Park Foundation (@goparks on instagram) started a new hashtag pledge with #pledgetoprotect. Here are a few ways we can do that in our parks.

The Current Attack on the Endangered Species Act

Brynn Schmidt

While the Endangered Species Act (ESA) enacted by Congress in 1973 is not perfect, the changes Republicans are calling for would be catastrophic for our endangered wildlife. Under the Trump Administration and Republican-controlled congress, it is looking like the act is headed for the hardest fight of its 44 year life. The reason there is hope is that the majority of our citizens support the ESA. "'Animals are awesome' is the only safe topic of conversation most American families have left. Left-right, old-young, black-white, Americans agree: Four legs, good" (Peter Weber, The Week)

We Need to Protect the Wolves of Yellowstone

Brynn Schmidt

Two well-known and beloved Yellowstone wolves were killed this past month during the legal hunting season. Both were killed near the park boundaries. Wolves don't know the imaginary lines that separate the park from the surrounding wilderness and we need to do all we can to fight for their protection in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

When We Lost the Wilderness

Brynn Schmidt

We all take it for granted to some extent - the wilderness. Especially those of us who live near it. Rocky Mountain National Park is pretty much our backyard playground, but we lost it and everywhere else when our son came down with Lyme Disease in 5th Grade and went undiagnosed for 13 months with 7 doctors and hospitals misdiagnosing him. Our lives changed dramatically for over four years and adventure stopped for us. We found hope and came to value the wild in ways we never had before.

5 Ways To Get An Edge On Summer National Park Travel

Brynn Schmidt

With the arrival of summer comes the flock of tourists to our national parks. How can you still enjoy the parks and make the best of your trip without losing your mind?