Hikes and Mics Podcast
Hikes & Mics is where the trail meets the conversation. Each week, host Ivan Orozco brings together hikers, backpackers, and outdoor adventurers to share the stories, lessons, and inspiration they’ve found in the great outdoors. From life-changing summits to quiet moments on local trails, our guests open up about how nature has shaped their journeys—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Every episode blends thoughtful storytelling with a dash of fun, closing out with our signature This or That: Hiking Edition lightning round. Whether you’re a weekend wanderer, a long-distance thru-hiker, or someone who simply loves the outdoors, this podcast is your campfire circle for connection, community, and adventure. New episodes drop every Monday—plus occasional bonus episodes on Fridays. Lace up your boots, plug in your headphones, and join us on the trail.
Hikes and Mics Podcast
From Basalt Columns to Red Rock: A Park Ranger's Moab Chapter | Larkin | Park Ranger
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
🎙️ Larkin returns to Hikes and Mics — two years after his first episode, and 14 months deeper into life as a park ranger.
He traded Eastern Washington's basalt columns for the red rock of Moab, Utah, and he's back to catch us up on everything in between.
Larkin talks helping open Utahraptor State Park (home to the largest species of raptor dinosaur ever discovered), hunting down hidden arches like Hunter Canyon Arch, and timing a visit to the Solstice Snake petroglyph just right to catch its brief, sun-cast arrowhead. We get into the Moab Mastodon debate, tips for a first slot canyon hike through Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass, underrated spots like Dead Horse Point and the surprisingly quiet La Sal Mountains, and archaeological finds out in Bears Ears.
We close out with Larkin's long-awaited Wave permit, his push to beat last year's 615 AllTrails miles, and an ongoing boot recommendation search,
A great catch-up with an old friend, packed with desert wisdom, dinosaur trivia, and hidden-gem hiking advice.
Episode Links:
Larkin on Instagram
This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys
Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics
This episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic
AllTrails+
I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier.
Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership!
Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app)
Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists
Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.
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