Gingerly, Lieutenant Baxter Bear put one paw in front of another, stiffly crossing right over left, left over right, to center his balance. His arthritic elbows were increasingly unyielding; medication, acupuncture and physical therapy could only do so much. Behind them, his back legs didn’t quite shuffle but were certainly not as sure as they were a year, a month or a week before.

He stopped every few steps, presumably to sniff, but after more than a decade as his partner on hikes and walks, I knew better. At nearly 16, he was still a proud and regal dog. Admitting his need for a break in our slow progress down the sidewalk visibly grated on him. He’d pretend the patch of grass before him was why he’d stopped, not to catch his breath. I let him have his little charade as I kept my own going, holding the retractable leash he no longer needed and praising his every step forward, even as each one shattered me a tiny bit more.

Baxter’s advancing pulmonary fibrosis made even short ambles around our townhome community in Atlanta difficult. Even so, he loved to walk; we’d spent years exploring neighborhoods, trails and parks on foot from New Orleans to Long Island. Now, his mind could only triumph over matter so much, so I’d bought a folding beach wagon sturdy enough to hold his 75 (and dropping) pounds so he could go as far as he could … though never as far as he wanted.

“You ready to go in the wagon, Baby Bear?” I asked him. He always declined the first few times but eventually heaved a relieved sigh when I scooped him up and gently placed him in the wagon. After 15 years of getting me on my feet and out to the great outdoors beyond, inspiring me to make moves, both literally and figuratively, it was finally my turn to return the favor—to carry him as he did me.

The pants you wear hiking should be a pretty forgettable piece of gear: You want them to feel like they’re one with your body instead of distracting you from the trail by bunching or snagging on branches.

The best hiking pants should move with you as you crank out the miles, keep you comfortable and protect you from the elements. But there are a lot of hiking pants out there to choose from. We talked to the experts at the co-op and scoured member reviews to build the definitive roundup of the best hiking pants available at REI, no matter where they take you.

From the tiniest shrews to bears and cougars, wild animals leave behind clues to be discovered by any observant outdoor adventurist. Many North American wildlife species stay out of sight of humans, but their traces often show up in surprising places if you take the time to look for them. Animal footprints can be found year-round and in any landscape.

Our ability to find, interpret and follow animal signs has been a fundamental part of our relationship with the natural world since the origin of our species. Tracking skills can be found in the traditional ecological knowledge of many cultures around the world, and they’re just as important today in research, hunting, recreation and conservation.

Learning to identify the creatures that share our outdoor spaces can enrich our connection to nature.

So, can you figure out who left these tracks?

There are more than 10,000 species of birds, and dozens could be around your favorite trail.

Here are a few tips for building your bird-watching skills.

Using binoculars “is like a visual meditation,” says Nocs Provisions founder Chris McKleroy. “It allows you to connect with nature on a deeper level.” McKleroy and team seek to deepen that experience by honoring the land we recreate on and recognizing its Indigenous stewards. The Honor Native Land Binocular Bundle does just that, and it’s available just for members.

Nocs Provisions teamed up with Indigenous artist Amelia Winger-Bearskin to create a woven tapestry strap that features a custom pattern based on the designs of her Seneca-Cayuga Nation. She also helped select the limited-edition tones of the accompanying waterproof and durable 8 x 25 binoculars great for hiking and wildlife viewing. Look closer and feel more deeply tied to the world around you with Nocs.