Hiking Safety for Spring

Spring hiking evokes images of delicate woodland trillium, gushing waterfalls and hikers trying to locate the most compelling destination that they can reach. It's a time of giddy anticipation as we eagerly make plans to visit our favorite trails.

With sunny skies and soaring temperatures over Mother's Day, hikers were out in force - many for their first hike of the year. Hikers posted more than 100 trip reports over a three-day time period. Some stuck to easy trails lined with spring wildflowers while others pushed the limits of spring conditions and encountered impassable roads, deep snow on the trail and fast-moving streams.

One thought I had as I hiked with my family this weekend: it is time to get our "trail brains" on again. After a long winter, it's easy to forget some of the basic items you need in your pack. About 30 minutes in on the Lime Kiln Trail, I realized I had forgotten my first aid kit. Whoops! Fortunately, we didn't need it - this time.

For other hikers, putting on their trail brain will mean using common sense when assessing trail conditions. It is all too easy to push too far this time of year. Danger from avalanches, snow cornices and stream crossings linger well into July, and conditions can change dramatically during the course of the day as warm weather melts snow.

WTA has put together some Spring Hiking Safety Tips that are important for even the most seasoned hiker to review - what to wear, what to have in your backpack, how to choose a hike, and how to handle the hazards of hiking in the spring.

With a little preparation, you'll be able to find your trail brain and have a great time hiking. And when you return from your hike, please write a Trip Report! Your fellow hikers will appreciate the update on the trail conditions.