10 Years of Living the High Desert Life
If you’ve spent any time around Cortez, you already know this place sticks with you.
Wide open country. Red rock. Quiet mornings. The kind of place where you step outside, take a breath, and remember why you’re here.
That’s what built this shop.
This year marks 10 years of High Desert Life Outdoors, and looking back, it’s never just been about gear. It’s about the way of life that comes with living out here and helping other people experience it.
Why This Shop Exists
We didn’t open this place because Cortez needed another store.
We opened it because this is how we live.
We hike these trails. We camp in these mountains. We ride these bike trails. We run these rivers. We deal with the same wind, dust, and weather you do. And we know firsthand having the right gear (and the right info) makes all the difference.
This isn’t just a business for us.
It’s home.
What Makes This Area Different
There are plenty of “beautiful places” out there.
But Southwest Colorado is a different kind of place.
Within a short drive, you can:
- Be hiking through canyon country
- Riding world-class mountain bike trails
- Camping up in the mountains
- Or floating multi-day stretches on the Dolores, San Juan, Animas, Green, or Colorado Rivers
It’s not crowded. It’s not overbuilt.
You’ve still got to figure things out—and that’s part of the draw.
'The Kind of Shop We Wanted
From day one, the goal was simple:
No pushy sales. No junk gear. No sending people out unprepared.
Just solid gear, honest advice, and a place where people can come in, ask questions, and actually get help whether they’ve been doing this forever or they’re just getting started.
Over the years, we’ve helped:
- Locals getting out for the weekend
- First-time campers trying something new
- Riders and river runners gearing up for their next trip
- Travelers who had no idea what they stumbled into here
That mix is what keeps it interesting.
How Are You Livin’ Your High Life?
That’s not just a slogan.
Out here, “high life” isn’t fancy—it’s simple.
A quick ride after work.
An overnight camp.
A stretch of river with no cell service.
Getting out before the crowds.
That’s the good stuff.
What’s Next
10 years is a big milestone but we’re just getting going.
You’ll start seeing more from us:
- Local trail info
- Mountain biking and river updates
- Seasonal conditions
- Straightforward gear advice
- And ways to get outside without overthinking it
This blog is part of that. Nothing fancy just real, useful info from people who actually live here.
Stop In
If you’ve been in thanks. We mean that.
If you haven’t, come by. We’re always up for talking trails, rides, river trips, gear—or hearing where you’ve been getting out.
That’s what this place is about.
High Desert Life Outdoors
How are you livin’ your high life?