Hiking Tips

 

 

 

Hiking is fun anytime of year. But it pays to know what you're doing before hitting the trail. Here are some smart-hiking tips.

 

Before You Go:

• Watch the weather. Check the forecast and make sure you have the right clothing and other gear, especially comfortable, sturdy shoes, not flip-flops or sandals.
• Pick a fun destination. It's more interesting to follow a stream to a waterfall, or walk along a ridge to an overlook than to just hike in the woods.
• Make a checklist of things to take with you. These might include:
• snacks
• reusable water bottle
• first-aid kit
• hat
• sunscreen
• bug repellent
• binoculars
• magnifying glass
• camera
• cell phone
• trail map
• sketchbook, pencil, and crayons
• whistle and large trash bag (see the Learn what to do section below).
• Learn What to Do ahead of time if you get lost in the wilderness by visiting gpsar.org/hugatree.html on the Web.
  

Along The Way:

• Stop often to check out the little things. Use your magnifying glass to get a close look at flowers, insects, and rocks - and your binoculars to check out animals at a distance.
• Look for animal clues. Can you find tracks in the mud or snow? Nibbled twigs, nuts, and plants? Animal droppings (also called "scat")? Feathers and bones? Animal homes?
• Listen for sounds and try to figure out what's making them. Try to make the same sounds and see if you get an "answer."
• Make rubbings of cool-looking tree bark with your paper and crayons.
• Always go with and stay with a grown-up -- and stick to the trail. (It's easier to get lost than you may think!)
• Never pick flowers or collect any living thing. In some places, you shouldn't collect anything at all. Check the rules for where you're hiking.
• Carry out all your trash, and pick up what others have left behind.
• Hike quietly. Loud noises can disturb animals — and make it harder for you to see and hear the wildlife around you.