Ori’s Bench: Honoring a Professor and Conservationist Who Love the Woods

Orrin Rongstad and his family made countless memories along Coon Fork Creek

There is a pool on Coon Fork Creek, just downstream from Coon Fork County Park in eastern Eau Claire County, where the creek slows and deepens momentarily, bordered by sandstone bluffs. It is a natural fishing hole, but also a scenic spot for hikers and skiers ...

GET YOUR GAME FACE ON: ValleyCat 2023 Slated for May 20

hop on your non-motorized wheels and get (scavenger) huntin’

ValleyCat is a citywide scavenger hunt with a special mode of transportation: bicycles and one-wheels. At precisely 1pm on Saturday, May 20, the hunt will kick off as a list of locations in the city are sent out via Facebook and Instagram...

Bikepacking 101: Exploring the Coon Fork Overnighter Route

pack your bags and explore the woods on two wheels

Bikepacking is a form of self-supported, multi-day bike camping where riders carry all their necessary gear on their bikes so they can travel off-road and explore remote areas that would be difficult to reach by car or foot. Unlike bike touring, which refers to ...

Acromoda: E.C. Native’s New Brand Adds Style to Your Hikes and Hobbies

Josh Wood is returning to his roots with hiking accessories customized for you

Made with the passions of an avid backpacker looking to bring functional and stylish backpacks and fanny packs into his outdoor adventures, he designs and sews each one from scratch on a sewing machine in his ...

GET OUT THERE: Wisconsin 2023 State Trail Passes Now Available

take advantage of the sprawling Wisconsin outdoors by getting trail passes

Wisconsin just wouldn’t be Wisconsin without the bountiful state parks, lakes, and trails. If you want to be amongst those to enjoy the great outdoors this summer, make sure you snag one (or a couple) of the 2023 State Trail Passes, available ...

You’re Ready for the Trail, But is the Trail Ready for You?

state website allows users to check conditions of hiking, biking trails

Teen Reels in a River of Memories

at just 15, Eau Claire’s Caspian Hebert is already an expert angler

Wisconsinites go fishing for a variety of reasons – as a pastime, for recreation, or for a chance to enjoy nature – but for 15-year-old Eau Claire resident Caspian Hebert, fishing is a passion. I first met Caspian early ...

Pure Water Paddlers Spring Ahead With Summer Plans

club invites paddlers of any age or skill level to join the fun

The Pure Water Paddlers group started in 2004 as a place for kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts to get together and paddle around beautiful rivers and lakes in the Chippewa Valley and beyond. The group is not only a fun place to paddle but also a very informational and safety focused ...

The Best of the Outdoors 2022: Hiking, Biking, Camping, and More

We asked about the best spots to be active in the Chippewa Valley. Here’s what you said

Each year for the past 15 years, we’ve asked readers to vote on their favorite things, people, and places in the Chippewa Valley. Here are the winners in the outdoor-related parts of our most recent Best of the ...

WHAT A CATCH: Fishhead Custom Rods & Tackle Crafts Specialized Equipment

E.C.’s Mike Konzen creates 50-60 custom fishing rods every year for local anglers

Mike Konzen and his family were on a fishing trip in Belize a few years back, and everything seemed fairly normal. Beautiful weather on the water, wholesome family vibes all around, and fish were biting at increasing regularity when suddenly a 70-pound greater amberjack bit down on his youngest daughter’s fishing rod – and a battle began. After wrestling with ...