Do your homework

To be safe and have fun, smart hikers plan before going on a hike. Here are some questions they might think about.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER FORECAST?

Sunny skies at the moment do not mean sunshine all day. Hikers should check the weather forecast before leaving home. Knowing the forecast helps a hiker choose the right clothes. In some cases, knowing the forecast might help a hiker decide to wait for better weather. Hikers should always be listening and watching for thunderstorms. The safest place during a thunderstorm is indoors.

Checking the weather forecast can help a hiker decide how to dress or even whether to go out that day.

ARE ANY TRAILS CLOSED?

 When hiking at any of the state or national parks, it is smart to check with the park ranger or park office before heading into the woods. Some trails could be closed, especially if there has been too much rain or flooding recently.

IS THAT POISON IVY?

Hikers need to be alert for poisonous plants and wildlife. Poison ivy has a familiar three-leaf pattern. Poison oak and poison sumac often have more leaves. Hikers need to know what these plants look like so they can stay away from them.

Hikers should also watch for stinging nettles. These plants can cause a painful burning sensation for those who touch them. There can also be wild berries in the woods that look good to eat. Hikers should not eat them. The berries provide food for animals, and some of those berries are poisonous to humans. The best choice for hikers is to just eat the snacks in their backpacks.

Ticks are common across much of the United States. They are especially problematic during the warm summer months. Ticks can carry diseases. So can mosquitoes. Hikers should use a bug spray that protects against ticks, mosquitoes, and black flies. After a hike, people should carefully check their clothes, scan their bodies, and search their heads for ticks. It is wise to bathe or shower within two hours of hiking to wash away any ticks before they can bite.

ARE THERE SNAKES?

Hikers who spend a lot of time in the woods have a good chance of seeing a snake. Most snakes avoid people. But if stepped on or surprised, snakes can bite. There are many kinds of snakes. They vary in size, color, and markings.

Most poisonous snakes have broad, wedge-shaped heads. Nonpoisonous snakes have heads shaped like a triangle, but somewhat rounded. Poisonous snakes have eyes with vertical slits. Nonpoisonous snakes have round eyes. Poisonous snakes tend to be bigger and fatter than nonpoisonous ones. Do not depend on hearing a rattle sound to know if a snake is poisonous. Rattlesnakes are not the only poisonous snakes in the United States. Some do not make a sound. The best thing a hiker can do when seeing a snake is to freeze and then step away from the snake, moving slowly backward.

In some parts of the country, hikers have to look out for snakes.

WHO KNOWS WHERE I AM GOING?

Hikers should always be sure to tell someone where they are going and a general time to expect their return. This includes the starting point—where they plan to enter the woods. Hiking with a buddy is the smart way to travel. A hike is usually more fun traveling with a buddy. And if there is an accident, buddies can help each other.

Where to Go

For a new hiker just starting out, there are safe, easy ways to learn about hiking. Hikers can start at the local parks in their area. Regular visits to hike at local parks help new hikers in several ways.

Local parks can provide plenty of convenient trails for beginning hikers.

For instance, hikers can test out their gear. Is the backpack a good fit? Are they carrying too much heavy gear? Do their hiking boots create blisters? Hiking familiar local parks allows hikers to gain strength and skill in the woods.

When planning hikes beyond local parks, a hiker should consider several questions. Is the hiker experienced or new to hiking? Is the hiker physically strong? What is the terrain like—flat and easy to hike, or rocky and rough? Is it in the mountains?

Thinking about these kinds of questions helps a hiker decide what kind of hike to do and where to go.

FIND A HIKING CLUB

A new hiker might also want to look for any local hiking clubs or groups. For the beginning hiker, a club can be a good place to meet more experienced hikers. Hikers can make new friends and learn new skills in these groups.

There are plenty of books about hiking. The public library or a local bookstore could be a good place to find these books. A web search for “hiking” or “hiking in (your state name)” should yield lots of information, too.

Some outfitter stores offer hiking or backpacking classes. Do a web search for “hiking classes near me” to find what might be offered. These classes can be a great way to learn from more experienced hikers before heading off to the woods.

THE HIKING PROJECT

The Hiking Project is a website and a mobile app with information about hiking trails. It features maps and other information about trails across the United States and in other countries, too. Trails are listed state by state for the United States. Altogether it has information on more than 58,000 trails.

The Hiking Project helps hikers plan trips and share information about hiking. Its website—hikingproject.com—is always changing as hikers add new information.

For hikes in state or national parks, the park office can provide trail maps.

In these parks, trails are usually marked with colors called “blazes.” These blazes are painted on or attached to trees or posts to show the trail. The well-marked trails are helpful for hikers of all ages and experience levels. But for the new hiker, these marked trails are a safe and effective way to learn good hiking skills.

Colorful blazes help hikers stay on the trail

The place where a hiking trail begins is called the trailhead. Sometimes a signboard with maps or other helpful information will greet hikers at the trailhead.

Because it can be easy to get turned around in the woods, it is smart for a hiker to learn basic navigation skills. Hikers sometimes use a map, a compass, or a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker to help them navigate.

A good map can help hikers find their way.