In today’s newsletter,

• Ticks are digging the heat

• Desert dinosaurs

• SoCal is rocking the Olympics

• Badwater madness

Forest Fires Forcing Closures of SoCal Roads, Trails and Campgrounds

It's summer in the American West, so fires must be screwing things up in the outdoors—especially when people are out there starting them intentionally. Wildfires in SoCal’s National Forests have forced a number of closures of roads, trails, campgrounds and OHV areas.

A number of fires along the Pacific Crest Trail have forced closure of around 250 miles of the trail in California, Oregon and Washington. The Pacific Crest Trail Associate website has up-to-date info on the closures.

We put together a guide on how to check on fire closures in Southern California forest fire closures before you head into the wilds.

Anza-Borrego’s Got Fossils

The Anza-Borrego Foundation is highlighting the rich natural history of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, home to one of North America's most significant collections of Pleistocene fossils. These remains, including mammoths and giant ground sloths, offer invaluable insights into prehistoric life and the park's geological past.

Death Valley Hits +125 Degrees for 5 Days in a Row

It takes a crazy, I mean, special person to visit Death Valley National Park in the summer. During a recent heatwave, the park posted temperatures above 125 degrees for five days in a row. Then the power went out and people had to be evacuated to nearby hotels—that presumably had AC. Sounds…fun?

Speaking of lunatics in Death Valley, the Badwater Ultramarathon wrapped up this week. Runners covered 135 miles over two days, sometimes in daytime heat as high as 120 degrees. I’d love to see the liability waiver for this event. ☠️

SoCal Fields 30+ Olympians at Paris Olympics

What’s the secret to creating a world-class athlete? Might be sun, surf, and avocado toast. SoCal is fielding over 30 Olympians this year in Paris. Sorry, everyone else – paradise breeds champions.

Jaclyn Cosgrove takes over as the lead writer of LA Times’ The Wild Newsletter

LA Times outdoors writer Jaclyn Cosgrove is taking over as the lead writer of The Wild, the Times’ outdoors newsletter. In her inaugural edition, she shares how she is hiking 40 miles a month in honor of her brother, who died of cancer in 2018. 

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