What to know before you go!

Get expert tips on how to be prepared for your journey.

• Make sure you have the right pass.

  I learned this one the hard way. Before you leave the house, look up if you need a pass for the place you’re heading. You can’t always get one when you arrive. If you hike often, annual passes can save you time and money. Check out my guide to annual recreation passes to learn which one might be right for you.

• See if you need a 4x4 vehicle

  Accessing trails can mean a long drive down a rough road with fallen rocks and huge potholes. Check the road conditions to see if your vehicle will make it to the trailhead.

• Bring more water than you think you need

  I can’t count the number of times I’ve left my house thinking I had PLENTY of water, just to end up panting and holding an empty bottle. Also, it never hurts to have snacks on hand. I consider my trail snack at least half the point of the excursion.

• Wear sunscreen - even in winter

  Seriously, friends. Those rays can be dangerous. Especially if you’re at high elevation, the sun can harm your skin even when you don’t know it’s there.

• Dress in layers

  There’s a lot that goes into weather conditions, and you never know when you leave the house what you’ll experience on the trail. The weather on one side of the mountains is totally different than the other side. Also higher elevation often means much colder temperatures. Never trust the forecast!

• Wear the right shoes

  I can’t stress this enough. You never know what conditions you’ll be in, and you want to make sure you have footwear that works for you in any situation you might encounter. I suggest going to an outdoor store like REI and explaining that you’re looking for a hiking boot that’s waterproof and fits your personal foot shape.

• Download a trail map

  I think AllTrails has saved my life. I recommend downloading their app to get trail stats and an offline trail map feature (only available on premium). It’s easy to get lost out there.