by Hiking With Shawn | Feb 9, 2026 | Hiking Tips
10 Small Gear Upgrades that Make Long Hikes Feel Easier We all want to make long hikes feel easier. Longer hikes tend to feel a lot harder than they should. There is just so much fatigue, discomfort, and friction. But the truth is, you don’t need big, expensive gear...
by Hiking With Shawn | Feb 2, 2026 | Hiking Tips
How to Plan a Last Minute Hike without Overthinking it If the urge to hike hits fast and you’re too busy trying to plan a last minute hike, you might overthink it enough to actually ruin the hike. Overthinking your hiking plans will definitely kill spontaneous hikes....
by Hiking With Shawn | Jan 19, 2026 | Hiking Tips
10 Short Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois for Cold Weather Hikes Are you looking for short hiking trails in Southern Illinois for cold weather hikes? Winter is here for a while, and it will eventually get really cold, as it always does in Southern Illinois. That...
by Hiking With Shawn | Jan 12, 2026 | Hiking Tips
Best Budget Winter Hiking Gear Under $50 Are you looking for the best budget winter hiking gear you can find this season? Winter hiking doesn’t have to be expensive. With the rising gear costs, you can use smart budgeting tactics and still enjoy winter hiking....
by Hiking With Shawn | Jan 5, 2026 | Hiking Tips
10 of My Favorite Frozen Waterfalls in Southern Illinois for 2026 Are you ready to chase frozen waterfalls in Southern Illinois? It’s already January, and you know what that means. It means it’s likely going to get colder, and any rain or snow that falls will aid in...
by Hiking With Shawn | Dec 27, 2025 | Hiking Tips
How to Properly Plan for a Winter Hiking Trip It’s important to plan for a winter hiking trip, the right way to prevent any mishaps or safety hazards that can ruin your day. Winter brings in a lot of extra hazards that other seasons lack. A lot of hikers don’t...
