Gaze At the National Parks

Inspired by the US Virgin Islands National Park, Mike and Dusty explore snorkeling and how to engage with coral reefs while in the water, and play their hardest game of Acronym to date.

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On their second day in the US Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, Dusty and Mike snorkel amongst sea turtles and rays while also hiking some small trails.

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In a season that starts in a National Park on an island, Dusty and Mike chat about their top 5 island hikes across all their national park trips.

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Hosted by Dustin Ballard and Michael Ryan

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On their first day visiting the US Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John, Mike and Dusty venture to Hawksnest Beach and Trunk Bay for Reef Snorkeling and exploring.

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Mike and Dusty are back with the Trail Map for Season 9! Through games and drag corner they reveal the parks and trails they'll explore in Season 9.

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It's the Season 8 Summit! Mike and Dusty looks at the National Parks of the season through four different lenses. This week's episode is all about the hiking trails we hit while visiting Death Valley National Park, Saguaro National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and White Sands National Park.

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It's the Season 8 Summit! Mike and Dusty looks at the National Parks of the season through four different lenses. This week's episode is all about the wildlife, ecosystems, and environments of the parks from this season including Death Valley National Park, Saguaro National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and White Sands National Park.

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It's the Season 8 Summit! Mike and Dusty looks at the National Parks of the season through four different lenses. This week's episode is all about the history of the parks we visited this season including Death Valley National Park, Saguaro National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and White Sands National Park.

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It's the Season 8 Summit! Mike and Dusty looks at the National Parks of the season through four different lenses. This week's episode is all about the things to see and the reasons to visit Death Valley National Park, Saguaro National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and White Sands National Park.

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After spending a lot of time in desert landscapes this season and beyond, Dusty and Mike chat important tips for hiking in the desert and their top 5 desert hikes.

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Hosted by Dustin Ballard and Michael Ryan

In Part 2 of this year's Pride Mix series, Mike and Dusty highlight the milestones of trans history and visibility in the United States from the Stonewall Uprising to the present day.

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In their final day in Saguaro National Park, Dusty and Mike head to East Saguaro to explore the trails in and around Cactus Forest Drive.

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In this year's Pride Mix series, Mike and Dusty highlight the milestones of trans history and visibility in the United States up through the Stonewall Uprising.

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In this episode, Dusty and Mike take some scenic drives within both west and east Saguaro and get on some small trails to discover more about the park and its flora and fauna.

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In this Trail Mix episode, Dusty and Mike dive into cacti...well not literally because...ouch! But we do get to discussing the many cacti one can find at Saguaro National Park.

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After hiking up to Wasson Peak, the tallest Peak in Saguaro National Park, Mike and Dusty make a big loop out of this trail and return down the Hugh Norris and Sendero Esperanza Trail.

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In this Trail Mix Episode Mike and Dusty discuss the history of the Colorado River and the dire straits it currently is in.

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On their first day in Saguaro National Park, Mike and Dusty trek through thousands of saguaro cacti while hiking the tallest peak in the park right in the middle of a desert super bloom.

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Dusty and Mike talk about the latest moves by our Environmental Disaster in Chief to reorganize the National Forests for nefarious purposes.

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Dusty and Mike hike the Alkali Flats Trail, the longest dune trail in full exposure, in White Sands National Park.

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In this Trail Mix Episode Dusty and Mike talk about the evolution of White Sands National Park and the flora and fauna found there.

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Dusty and Mike explore the small trails of White Sands National Park and learn all about gypsum sand fields.

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Mike and Dusty interview democrat Alex Kelloff running for Congress in Colorado's third district to unseat the current Republican incumbent.

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On their second day in Pinnacles National Park, Dusty and Mike hike behind the high peaks on the Balconies Cliff Trail and see more of the elusive California Condor.

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Dusty and Mike discuss the best National Parks to visit in the winter and how to stay safe while hiking and exploring.

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Mike and Dusty finally have a first hand encounter with the elusive California Condor while hiking the High Peaks Trail and then venture down the Condor Gulch Trail in Pinnacles National Park.

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Dusty and Mike chat all about California Condors and our experiences with them in Pinnacles National Park.

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Hosted by Dustin Ballard and Michael Ryan

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Original A...

Mike and Dusty search for the elusive California Condor while climbing the High Peaks Trail in Pinnacles National Park.

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Ori...

Mike and Dusty try to fight the elusive California Condor while hiking into the Pinnacles on the High Peaks Trail in Pinnacles National Park.

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In this Trail Mix Episode, Mike and Dusty talk about the moves by the Trump Administration to delete history from the National Parks.

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Mike and Dusty venture in the Bear Gulch Caves in Pinnacles National Park, a cave system created by broken pinnacles.

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In this Trail Mix Episode, Dusty and Mike discuss Dark Sky Areas and the qualities of Dark Sky Parks.

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In the epic conclusion of the hike on Mount Perry in Death Valley National Park, Dusty and Mike get their trail names and brave the epic uphill upon the return.

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In this Trail Mix Episode, Dusty and Mike chat about water conservation for plants, animals, and people in the desert.

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Hosted by Dustin Ballard and Michael Ryan

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Mike and Dusty tackle by far the most difficult hike in Death Valley National Park. In the first part of a two-episode hike, they laugh about being the teacher's special helper all the while climbing some of Death Valley's most arduous incline.

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On what was an extremely hot day in Death Valley National Park, Mike and Dusty scramble over boulders, go up and over dry falls, and follow literal arrows on the ground while hiking the small, but textured Mosaic Canyon Trail.

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Dusty and Mike talk about the upcoming entrance fee changes to the National Parks in 2026.

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Hosted by Dustin Ballard and Michael Ryan

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Mike and Dusty travel to the North end of Death Valley National Park to hike the large crater and all of the small craters of the Ubehebe Crater area.

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Hosted by Dustin Ballard and Michael Ryan

Epi...

Dusty and Mike go over safety tips and tricks for hiking in the heat and how to keep yourself safe.

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Hosted by Dustin Ballard and Michael Ryan

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Featuring small trails of Death Valley National Park, over a few days, Mike and Dusty explore Natural Bridge, Artist Pallette, Stovepipe Wells, and Devil's Golf Course, foursmall adventure worth tagging onto longer hiking trails in Death Valley National Park.

For more of our episodes on hikes in this and other National Parks, click here. 

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