Who I Am.

Hi there! I’m Rachel, the proud owner of Forge Your Own Trail Travel Co., and I’m thrilled to help you explore the great outdoors. For as long as I can remember, nature has been my escape—whether it’s hiking through a quiet forest, camping under a blanket of stars, or exploring the wonders of our nation’s National Parks. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being immersed in the beauty of the wild.

After spending years traveling, camping, and hiking across the U.S. and Canada, I realized how many people want to experience the magic of the outdoors but don’t always know where to begin or how to plan the perfect trip. That’s why I founded Forge Your Own Trail Travel Co.—to help you discover the incredible beauty of nature in a way that’s stress-free and unforgettable.

From the towering peaks of the Rockies to the serene forests of the Pacific Northwest, I’ve walked the trails, camped at the best sites, and navigated the hidden gems of our National Parks. My goal is to take the guesswork out of your adventure so you can focus on what matters most—making memories in the great outdoors.

Let me help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend camping trip, a week-long hike, or a full-fledged National Park tour. I can’t wait to share my love for the outdoors with you!

I’m a Kentucky native with a passion for exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. I thrive on planning trips and capturing every moment—every photo you see on this site is one I’ve taken during my recent travels. I don’t feel complete unless I’m planning my next great journey. With extensive experience in U.S. National Parks, National Forests, and Canadian Parks, I’m eager to put my knowledge and research skills to work for you.

Favorite Park : Glacier National Park

Favorite Hike : The Narrows (Zion National Park)

Favorite Campground : Hoh Rainforest (Olympic National Park)

Favorite Excursion : Flight to base of Denali with K2 Aviation

Favorite Lake : Moraine Lake in Banff

Favorite Forest Area : Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest

Favorite Scenic Drive : Going To The Sun Road (Glacier National Park) or Icefields Parkway (Banff/Jasper National Park)

A person standing on rocks near a waterfall or rapid, looking at the cascading water. Mendenhall Glacier area, Juneau Alaska

Welcome To My Adventures

A person sitting by a calm lake, looking at a snow-capped mountain in the distance, with a misty atmosphere and cloudy sky.
A woman smiling in a blue jacket and black beanie standing in a snowy landscape with snow-covered mountains in the background.
Person with colorful blue, green, and purple hair wearing a blue jacket taking a photo of a glacier and mountains from a boat with other people.
A couple standing outside a camper van on a rocky shoreline at dusk, with a campfire burning behind them and mountains in the background.
A woman wearing sunglasses, a teal shirt, and a black jacket stands next to a tall totem pole in a forested area, smiling at the camera.
A couple standing in knee-deep water by a rocky shore, sharing a kiss during sunset with mountain ranges and a calm lake in the background.
Scenic view of a mountain valley during sunset with rugged mountains, green forested slopes, patches of snow, and a partly cloudy sky.
Mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks, green valleys, and a colorful sky at sunset.
A woman with purple hair wearing black clothing hiking on a narrow rocky trail along a cliffside with a mountain landscape in the background.
A lush green valley surrounded by tall mountains with patches of snow under a partly cloudy sky.
A smiling man and woman taking a selfie on a mountain trail with green foliage and mountains in the background.
A woman with pink hair wearing a blue top and black pants standing in shallow water by a lake, surrounded by green forests and mountains with waterfalls
Mountain valley with lush green slopes, dense forest, rocky foreground, and distant mountain peaks under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of a large lake with turquoise water, surrounded by green forest and mountain peaks under a blue sky with some clouds.
A person crossing a wooden suspension bridge over a river in a forest surrounded by tall trees and lush green foliage.
A mountain landscape featuring a large body of turquoise water in the foreground, densely forested lower slopes, rocky cliffs, and a cascading waterfall on lush green mountains with patches of snow at the peaks under a clear blue sky.
A person in a purple top and red pants standing in a clear lake with a mountainous landscape in the background, under a bright blue sky.
A winding mountain road flanked by green trees leading towards snow-capped mountains under cloudy sky.
A serene mountain lake surrounded by evergreen trees and topped with a rocky mountain peak under a partly cloudy sky.
Scenic view of a lake with turquoise waters, a small dock and building, surrounded by evergreen trees, with tall mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
Woman with purple hair and sunglasses standing on rocks at the edge of a turquoise lake, surrounded by mountains with snow caps and a cloudy sky.
A woman with purple hair and a purple backpack sitting on a wooden bench, overlooking a clear mountain lake with boats, surrounded by tall mountains and pine trees under a partly cloudy sky. Moraine Lake, Banff National Park Canada
Mountain range with snow patches, reflecting in a calm lake with pine trees along the shoreline in a forested area. Moraine Lake, Banff National Park Canada
A woman with red hair smiling and wearing black outdoor clothing, leaning on a wooden railing at a scenic mountain overlook with a turquoise lake, dense forest, and rugged mountains under a cloudy sky in the background. Peyto Lake Canada
A winding mountain road with double yellow lines, bordered by evergreen trees, leading towards snow-capped rugged mountains under a cloudy sky.
Two people standing on a glacier in a mountainous area with snow-covered peaks, wearing hiking gear and sunglasses. Athabasca Glacier, Canada
A snow-capped mountain with a forest of pine trees in the foreground and cloudy sky above. Mount Robson, Canada
Woman with sunglasses and purple hair hiking on rocky terrain in a mountainous area with snow patches and tall pine trees, under cloudy sky.
A hiker walking along a rocky trail next to a mountain lake, with snow-capped mountains and cloudy skies in the background.
A person hiking on snow-covered terrain with a mountain in the background, and cloudy skies overhead.
A hiker wearing a white hat, purple backpack, and black pants crossing a snow-covered trail in a mountainous forested area with green trees and distant mountains.
Person with purple hair standing on forest trail with arms outstretched beneath a large moss-covered tree branch in a lush green forest.
Tall evergreen trees in a forest with green ferns at the base, cloudy sky overhead.
A foggy beach scene with large rocks scattered on the sand, cliffs on the right, a large rock formation or island in the distance, and a few trees on the cliffs, all shrouded in mist. PNW Olympic National Park Washington
A mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks, a partially frozen lake, dense evergreen forests, and a clear blue sky. Estes Park, Colorado
Snow-covered mountain landscape with a frozen lake in the foreground, steep mountain slopes with rocks and sparse trees, and a clear blue sky.
A woman in hiking attire stands on rocky terrain with red rock formations and desert vegetation behind her, under a bright blue sky.
A woman with gray hair taking a photo of the Grand Canyon with her phone from a rocky viewpoint.
A woman with gray hair sitting on a rock in a desert landscape. Behind her are orange rock formations, a small creek, trees, and a wooden bridge. The sky is partly cloudy. Bryce Canyon National Park
A woman standing in front of a small waterfall flowing down a reddish, rocky canyon.
Group of hikers walking through a canyon with tall, orange and red rock walls, some sunlight shining on the rocks.
Red rock formations with a bright blue sky and white clouds, sparse green trees in a desert landscape.
View of orange and red rock formations and cliffs in Bryce Canyon National Park with scattered trees and a clear blue sky.
A large red rock mountain under a clear blue sky with some green vegetation and a stone wall in the foreground.
Group of hikers crossing a river in a narrow canyon with tall, steep, colorful rock walls.
Clear lake with large rocks in the foreground, surrounded by trees and mountains in the distance, under a bright blue sky. Lake Tahoe, CA
A woman standing in front of a large tree trunk in a forest, smiling at the camera.
A woman with blonde hair, wearing black clothing, standing on a rocky shoreline, looking out at a calm lake with clear water, surrounded by trees and mountains under a clear blue sky.
A woman with blonde hair, wearing sunglasses, taking a photo of a mountain landscape with a waterfall in the distance, lush green bushes in the foreground, a clear blue sky, and prominent granite cliffs. Yosemite National Park
A couple standing by a lake with mountains in the background, smiling at the camera.
A man lifts a woman by the arm while walking along the edge of a lake surrounded by mountains and trees, with snow-capped peaks in the background. The woman has colorful hair and is wearing a black dress, while the man is dressed casually. The scene
View from a yellow kayak on a lake with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Contact:

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