Tips

Tip
You may see rock cairns, piles of rocks, along the trail. Don’t destroy them, but don’t add to them either. Don’t create cairns, tree blazes, or any other sign to mark the trail – people should be able to navigate their own route and scarring the landscape doesn’t help anyone. The agency with responsibility for managing the land will determine which markings are appropriate.

 

Tip
Hiking sticks or poles may help make your trip a little easier by giving you some stability on wet trails, and reducing strain on your legs when going up or down slopes.

 

Tip
Always carry quality rain gear and turn back in bad weather. If you become wet or cold, it is important to get dry and warm as quickly as possible, avoiding hypothermia.

 

Tip
Dress in layers and avoid cotton. Today’s hikers can choose from numerous fabrics that wick moisture, dry quickly or conserve heat. Many experienced hikers wear a lightweight shirt that wicks moisture, while carrying a fleece pullover and waterproof jacket in a daypack.

 

Tip
Invest in good hiking socks and boots such as those found at sporting goods stores. Avoid blisters by carrying “moleskin” (available at drug stores) and applying it as soon as you feel a hot spot on your feet. Available in the foot care section of drug stores, moleskin is like felt that sticks to your skin.

 

Tip
Be careful what you pack!The most important rule of hiking—be smart about what you pack. A beginning hiker generally becomes exhausted carrying a sack full of trail munchies, games, a phone, three sweaters, and a high-end camera.

Remember that you have to carry everything you pack for several miles there and back, so keep it light. Some essentials include a first aid kit, waterproof matches, an extra layer of clothing, a rain gear, food, and water.

 

Tip
Always carry out what you carry in!The first rule with interacting with the environment is: Leave it as you found it. This rule applies to the trees, the earth, the animals, the campsite, and even the flowers. The caretakers of the wilderness areas and parks have dedicated their lives to preserving what one careless hand could destroy in a second. Show repect to Mother Nature. Carry out all of the garbage you carry in, don’t feed the animals, and leave only footprints when you go. If everyone works together to preserve parks, wilderness, and other hiking areas, we will all be able to enjoy breathtaking hiking adventures in the future as well.

 

Tip
Pace Yourself!Encourage kids not to exhaust themselves early in a hike. Sometimes little ones run at the beginning, run out of energy and have to be carried. Remember: it is not the destination that teaches, but the journey itself!