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On the Trail

Every outing should begin with proper preparation. Even the easiest trail can turn up unexpected surprises. People seldom think about getting lost or suffering an injury, but unexpected things can and do happen. A few minutes’ worth of simple precautions can make the difference between a marvelous and a miserable outcome—or merely a good story to tell afterward.

Use the Top Trails ratings and descriptions to determine if a particular trail is a good match with your fitness and energy level, given current conditions and time of year.

Have a Plan

Choose Wisely The first step to enjoying any trail is to match the trail to your abilities. It’s no use overestimating your experience or fitness—know your abilities and limitations, and use the Top Trails difficulty rating that accompanies each trail.

Leave Word About Your Plans The most basic of precautions is leaving word of your intentions with family or friends. Many people will hike the backcountry their entire lives without ever relying on this safety net, but establishing this simple habit is free insurance.

It’s best to leave specific information—location, trail name, intended time of travel—with a responsible person. If there is a registration process, make use of it. If there is a ranger station or park office, check in.

Prepare and Plan

 Know your abilities and your limitations.

 Leave word about your plans with family or friends.

 Know the area and the route.

Review the Route Before embarking on any trail, be sure to read the entire description and study the map. It isn’t necessary to memorize every detail, but it is worthwhile to have a clear mental picture of the trail and the general area. If the trail and terrain are complex, augment the trail guide with a topographic map. Park maps, as well as current weather and trail condition information, are often available from local ranger stations and at trailheads.

Carry the Essentials

Proper preparation for any type of trail use includes gathering the essential items to carry. Your checklist may vary according to choice of trails and daily conditions.

Clothing If the weather is good, then light, comfortable clothing is the obvious choice. It’s easy to believe that very little spare clothing is needed, but a prepared hiker has something tucked away for any emergency from a surprise shower to an unexpected overnight in a remote area.

Clothing includes proper footwear, essential for hiking and running trails. As a trail becomes more demanding, you will need footwear that performs. Running shoes are fine for many trails. If you will be carrying substantial weight or encountering sustained rugged terrain, step up to hiking boots and synthetic or wool-blend (not cotton) socks specifically designed for hiking.

In hot, sunny weather, proper clothing includes a hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirt, and sunscreen. In cooler weather, particularly when it’s wet, carry waterproof outer garments and quick-drying undergarments (avoid cotton). As a general rule, whatever the conditions, bring layers that can be combined or removed to provide comfort and protection from the elements in a wide variety of conditions.

Water Never embark on a trail without carrying water. For most outings, you should plan to carry sufficient water to last you and your entire party the entire hike (including the return trip). At all times, particularly in warm weather, adequate water is of key importance. Experts recommend at least 2 quarts of water per person per day, and when hiking in heat 1 gallon or more may be more appropriate. At the extreme, dehydration can be life threatening. More commonly, inadequate water brings on fatigue and muscle aches.

If it’s necessary to make use of trailside water, you should filter or chemically treat it. You should regard all untreated water sources as being contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and fertilizers. There are three methods for treating water: boiling, chemical treatment, and filtering. Boiling is best but often impractical—it requires a heat source, a pot, and time. Chemical treatments, available in sporting goods and outdoor stores, handle some problems, including the troublesome Giardia parasite, but will not combat many human-made chemical pollutants. The most practical method is filtration, which removes Giardia and other contaminants and doesn’t leave any unpleasant aftertaste.

Trail Essentials

 Dress to keep cool, but be ready for cold.

 Bring plenty of water and adequate food.

One final admonishment: Be prepared for surprises. Water sources described in the text or on maps can change course or dry up completely. Never run your water bottle dry in expectation of the next source; fill up when water is available and always keep a little in reserve.

Food Though not as critical as water, food is energy and its importance should not be underestimated. Avoid foods that are hard to digest, such as candy bars and potato chips. Carry high-energy, fast-digesting foods, such as nutrition bars, dehydrated fruit, nuts, trail mix, and jerky. Bringing a little extra food is good protection against an outing that turns unexpectedly long, perhaps due to weather or losing your way.

Less Than Essential, But Useful Items

Map and Compass (and the Know-How to Use Them) Many trails don’t require much navigation, meaning a map and compass aren’t always as essential, but they can be useful. If the trail is remote or infrequently visited, a map and compass should be considered necessities.

A handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver can also be a useful trail companion, but is really no substitute for a map and compass; knowing your longitude and latitude is not much help without a map.

Cell Phone Most parts of the country, even remote destinations, have some level of cellular coverage. In extreme circumstances, a cell phone can be a lifesaver, but don’t depend on it; coverage is unpredictable and batteries fail. And be sure that the occasion warrants the phone call—a blister doesn’t justify a call to search and rescue.

Gear Depending on the remoteness and rigor of the trail, there are many additional useful items to consider: pocketknife, flashlight, fire source (waterproof matches, light, or flint), and a first-aid kit.

Every member of your party should carry the appropriate essential items described above; groups often split up or get separated along the trail. Solo hikers should be even more disciplined about preparation and make a habit of carrying a little more gear than absolutely necessary. Traveling solo is inherently more risky. This isn’t meant to discourage solo travel, simply to emphasize the need for extra preparation.

Trail Etiquette

The overriding rule on the trail is “Leave No Trace.” Interest in visiting natural areas continues to increase, even as the quantity of unspoiled natural areas continues to shrink. These pressures make it ever more critical that we leave no trace of our visit.

Never Litter If you carried it in, it’s easy enough to carry it out. Leave the trail in the same, if not better, condition than you find it. Try picking up any litter you encounter and packing it out—it’s a great feeling! Pack a spare plastic bag to carry litter. Just picking up a few pieces of garbage makes a difference.

Stay on the Trail Paths have been created, sometimes over many years, for many purposes: to protect the surrounding natural areas, to avoid dangers, and to provide the best route. Leaving the trail can cause damage that takes years to undo. Never cut switchbacks. Shortcutting rarely saves energy or time, and it takes a terrible toll on the land, trampling plant life and hastening erosion. Moreover, safety and consideration intersect on the trail. It’s hard to get truly lost if you stay on the trail.

Share the Trail The best trails attract many visitors and you should be prepared to share the trail with others. Do your part to minimize impact. Commonly accepted trail etiquette dictates that bike riders yield to both hikers and equestrians, hikers yield to horseback riders, downhill hikers yield to uphill hikers, and everyone stays to the right. Not everyone knows these rules of the road, so let common sense and good humor be the final guide.

Trail Etiquette

 Leave no trace. Never litter.

 Stay on the trail.

 Share the trail.

 Leave it there.

Leave It There Destruction or removal of plants and animals or historical, prehistoric, or geological items is certainly unethical and almost always illegal.

Getting Lost If you become lost on the trail, stay on the trail. Stop and take stock of the situation. In many cases, a few minutes of calm reflection will yield a solution. Consider all the clues available; use the sun to identify directions if you don’t have a compass. If you determine that you are indeed lost, stay put. You are more likely to encounter other people if you stay in one place.

Cliffs in Powderhorn Canyon (Trail 20)