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Skyblue Overland

We’re a tight-knit community of wanderers, dreamers, and doers, bound by an unshakable love for the thrill of discovery, the raw beauty of the wild, and the boundless freedom of the open trail. Whether you’re scaling jagged peaks, carving through dense forests, plotting a cross-country odyssey, or simply gazing at the stars with a map in hand, this is where you belong.

Explore America’s National Parks with Summitborn
Featured Post

Summitborn Dispatch: Celebrate Earth Day & National Park Week with an Epic Outdoor Adventure!

Happy Earth Day & National Park Week Dear Trailblazers, As the world comes alive with the vibrant greens of spring, we’re thrilled to celebrate Earth Day (April 22) and National Park Week (April 19–27) with you—two moments that remind us to cherish our planet and explore its breathtaking wonders. At Summitborn, we believe there’s no better way to honor Mother Earth than by stepping into the wild, breathing in the fresh air, and connecting with the landscapes that inspire us. This year, we’re...

The Emerald Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is a photographer’s dream and a hiker’s delight.

Dear Trailblazers, Ready to explore the best hiking trails the United States has to offer? From the towering cliffs of Zion to the cascading waterfalls of Yosemite, our latest article highlights the Top 10 Hiking Trails in the USA—each a masterpiece of adventure, challenge, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or a casual explorer, these trails will ignite your passion for the outdoors and leave you in awe of America’s diverse landscapes. The Emerald Lake Trail in Rocky...

The Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop, a 5.1-mile moderate hike in Yosemite, offers stunning 360-degree views from Sentinel Dome and vertigo-inducing vistas of El Capitan and Yosemite Falls at Taft Point, blending granite grandeur with unforgettable adven

Dear Trailblazers, Picture yourself atop Sentinel Dome, Yosemite Valley unfolding like a timeless tapestry, Half Dome gleaming in the distance. Or standing at Taft Point’s edge, El Capitan’s grandeur looming, The Fissures’ depths tugging at your courage. Sentinel Dome, Yosemite National Park, California The Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop, a 5.1-mile Yosemite masterpiece, delivers this and more. Our new trail guide, penned by a seasoned adventurer, geologist, and storyteller, invites you to...

Summitborn (formerly Skyblue Overland) is a digital media brand dedicated to inspiring adventure through immersive trail guides, expert gear reviews, and compelling storytelling about the American West and beyond.

Hey Trailblazers, I’m writing to you today with a mix of gratitude and excitement—Skyblue Overland rebranded yesterday to Summitborn. As the brand's creator, I want to share the story behind this change and invite you to join us on this heartfelt new journey. This shift began with a trademark dispute over the word "Overland." At first, I thought we could keep our name and sidestep the issue by tweaking our focus. But the more I reflected, the more I saw this as a chance—not a setback. It was...

im Crossland and Donna Raupp hike below the dramatic cascade of Thunder Falls in the remote reaches of the Grand Canyon, Arizona.

A trail so remote, it was once considered unknown—even to the park’s superintendent. Now it’s your next great adventure. There are few places left where the land still holds secrets—where trails lead not just to vistas, but to revelation. The Thunder River and Tapeats Creek via Bill Hall Trail in Grand Canyon National Park is one of those rare journeys. Jim Crossland and Donna Raupp hike below the dramatic cascade of Thunder Falls in the remote reaches of the Grand Canyon, Arizona.Photo by...

Rugged beauty unfurling before you—where every step takes you closer to a 13th-century village frozen in time. This is the Keet Seel Trail in Navajo National Monument, and it’s not just a hike—it’s a pilgrimage through the soul of the American Southwest.

Imagine standing at the edge of a canyon, the morning sun igniting the ochre cliffs in a blaze of gold, the silence so deep you can hear your own heartbeat. Navajo National Monument’s Sandstone Sanctuary — Towering Navajo Sandstone alcoves glow in the warm light of day, sheltering vibrant plant life below. These monumental formations have protected sacred ancestral sites like Keet Seel for over seven centuries. Photo by Zack Frank / Adobe Stock Now picture yourself descending into that wild...

A lone rider on horseback at John Ford’s Point in Monument Valley, gazing over West Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte on the Utah-Arizona border.

The Desert’s Timeless Call: A Journey Through Valley of the Gods, Hovenweep, and Four Corners Good morning, adventurers! As the sun rises on this beautiful Sunday, April 6, 2025, I’m thrilled to share an inspiring journey that will awaken your wanderlust and connect you to the ancient heartbeat of the Southwest. Our latest article, A Cinematic Road Trip Through Monument Valley’s Southwest, takes you on a 260-mile odyssey through the Arizona-Utah borderlands, where the past whispers through...

In our latest feature, I take you on a cross-country journey with Sarah Kendzior’s The Last American Road Trip: A Memoir, a book that generated a lot of buzz ahead of its April 1, 2025 release.

Book Review: The Road Ahead with Sarah Kendzior’s Latest Dear Adventurers, Buckle up for a ride you won’t forget! In our latest feature, I take you on a cross-country journey with Sarah Kendzior’s The Last American Road Trip: A Memoir, a book that generated a lot of buzz ahead of its April 1, 2025 release. This isn’t just a travelogue—it’s a raw, heartfelt exploration of a nation at a crossroads, seen through the eyes of a mother racing to show her kids the beauty of America before it slips...

The West Fork Cimarron River winds through a vibrant meadow near Owl Creek Pass, framed by wildflowers and rugged peaks, captured by Brian Hamilton in July—a serene off-grid escape.

Find Solitude on the West Fork of the Cimarron River Imagine waking to the gentle murmur of a crystal-clear river, the scent of pine filling the air, and the rugged peaks of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains standing guard around you. No crowds, no noise—just you, the wilderness, and a star-filled sky so bright it feels like a dream. This is the West Fork of the Cimarron River, a dispersed camping haven tucked deep in the Uncompahgre National Forest. This off-grid escape offers nature in its...

Chase Waterfalls in Shenandoah’s White Oak Canyon

Dear Adventurer, Picture this: you’re standing at the edge of a sun-warmed boulder, the roar of an 80-foot waterfall filling the air, mist rising like a soft breath from the plunge pool below. The forest around you glows with springtime green, wildflowers dot the trail, and the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains stretch out in every direction. Chasing serenity at the White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trail Loop waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park—where nature’s beauty flows endlessly. This is White...