A Strange, New Hike
One of the things that I have enjoyed about this new chapter in my life is getting to go to different places in the country, to explore different environments and landscapes, and to hike new trails. Last year I was able to lead a trip at the Stanislaus Forest in California and found a new favorite place. I also hiked in Missouri and Georgia for the first time and loved them both. This year I am looking at leading trips in Utah, Washington, and Oregon; places that I have not been to before (or only very briefly). But it can be tricky to plan a hike in an area where I have never been; it takes a different kind of planning than it would for a place that I have been before. Some have asked me how I plan and prepare for a hike where I have never been before. Here are some tips for planning hikes to new places:
- The Internet can be a great place to start. A lot of people are itching to share about the amazing, wonderful place where they have hiked and want you to ogle at their Instagram photos. It is a start. Take your time to read and research the areas, the hikes others have done, and their description of the hike. It is likely that the most popular places will be emphasized and that means there will be crowds. But the internet can give you a start.
- Expand your area. You should know what your maximum drive time from your airport or gathering place and work from there. Then, based on your internet search, look at the area people have talked about and then expand your search. Look at trails and wilderness areas nearby and at other possibilities that may be waiting to be discovered. Consider those places that may not be as popular by the crowds.
- Get a real, paper map. I know that phone apps are very popular for hiking, but taking a map and opening it up can show many other areas and possibilities. You may see something that the internet posts have not mentioned. It is easier to expand your area (see above) with a paper map.
- Look closely at the terrain. Read the contour lines, see if there are stream or river crossings and/or water sources nearby. Check for possibilities for designated campsites or good places to camp if it is dispersed camping. If the trail is going to be steep, you should take note of that. If it looks like it is going to be exposed to sun or wind, note that as well.
- Do your LNT research. Know what you need to do with your food (canisters, bags, etc.), your body waste, tent set-up, etc. Also know what kind of wildlife you might encounter, what the local hazards are and what you need to do to be prepared.
- Talk to a ranger. This is probably one of the best things you can do to plan your hike. It helps if you do your research beforehand. If you call with specifics, where you are going to start, where you are going to spend the night, etc., then a ranger can give you detailed information about weather, terrain changes, camping opportunities, wildlife, etc. The more research you do beforehand the more informed questions you can ask. And if the ranger tells you that your plan will not work at that time of year (which has happened to me), then ask for suggestions. By this point you will have a good sense of the area, your parameters, and what you have to work with. Don’t forget to ask about permits and camping reservations.
- Start early. You need to give yourself time to see if you need to make reservations, to get permits, to come up with fallback options.
- Go! When you feel like you have checked and re-checked and made your plan (and left a copy with someone at home), get out there and do it! Every time I take that first step it is a little scary, but it is also a little exciting because I am going into a new place; I am exploring!
You can use this same approach with local day hikes as well, just pair it down, look at some guide books as well, and get out there.
What have I missed? What do you do to plan and prepare for a new adventure? Let me know and share your stories with me. And have a great time discovering new places!