Girls Guide to Your Next Hiking Adventure

So you want to head out into the great outdoors for a hike but you’re not exactly sure where to start? The good news is you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment, but there are certain items you should have with you and you should have basic knowledge of the area where you’re hiking to ensure a safe, enjoyable adventure on the trail.

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The Ten Essentials for Safety

Seasoned hikers often stress the importance of having the ten essentials when you head out for a hike. The American Hiking Society defines these as:

1. Appropriate footwear
2. Map and compass/GPS (know how to read them)
3. Water, and a way to purify it
4. Calorie-dense food
5. Rain gear and dry-fast layers of clothing
6. Safety items such as light, something to make fire, and a whistle
7. First-aid kit
8. Knife or multi-tool
9. Sun protection 
10. Shelter

While this may seem like a lot to take on a day hike, it’s important to consider that day hikers are the most vulnerable group in the outdoors. Statistics show they make up 42% of Search and Rescue incidents, almost four times the number for overnight backpackers. That means when you head out on the trail for a day hike, you should have items to sustain you over a longer period than you expect to be out, just in case something goes wrong. That means additional layers of clothing, food, and water, ways to see in the dark, and a way to start a fire in case you need to wait for help to arrive or signal to rescuers.

Understanding Leave No Trace Principles

Equally important is understanding the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace when you’re out for a hike. This simple framework of minimum impact practices covers everything from planning your hike and preparing for expected conditions, to packing out what you pack in (no it’s not okay to leave fruit rinds, cores, and peels behind), keeping dogs on leash and cleaning up after their waste, leaving what you find (please don’t pick flowers or collect rocks), and being courteous of others (uphill hikers have the right-of-way on trail). If everyone followed these simple principles, we wouldn’t see litter on the trail, step off the side of the trail into dog poop, or run into hikers blasting music from bluetooth speakers.

Planning Your Hike: Where to Go and How to Prepare

One of the first steps in planning a hike is deciding where to go. Most local trails are on public lands in state or national parks, which means you can find trail maps and information online and in visitor centers. There are also apps with trail maps like AllTrails, Avenza Maps, and Gaia GPS that are popular with the hiking community. All three apps offer free and paid versions with premium features. It’s important to note that the information in AllTrails is crowd-sourced, which means it’s not official information, so if you find yourself out for a 6-mile hike that’s still going after 7 miles, that could be why. It’s important to double-check details pertaining to parking and trail access in advance, because there isn’t always cell service at the trailhead. “Know before you go,” is a great phrase to keep in mind.

Sharing Your Plans for Safety

Whether you hike alone or with a group, it’s always good to tell a friend or loved one your hiking plans. Provide them with information such as where you’re hiking, the trail name, the route you plan to take, and your expected start and finish times. If you can, send a photo in your hiking clothes and gear so they have a description of what you’re wearing. Make it a habit of checking in with that person when you’re finished, and establish a plan of action they should follow if you don’t check in.

Footwear and Gear Tips for New Hikers

If you’re new to hiking, comfortable footwear is key, and for most terrain it doesn’t need to be hiking boots. Footwear can make or break your hike because if your feet are miserable, you will be too. Most hikers size up a half to a full size for hiking so your toes have room to shift forward on descents. Trekking poles are also helpful. They help with stability, especially if the trail is filled with rocks and roots, and they prevent your hands from swelling. 

Safety Tips: Wildlife and Insects

Many hikers are concerned about snakes and it is important to be familiar with the two venomous snakes (Timber rattlesnake and Northern copperhead) found in Maryland. Tick prevention and tick checks should be considered any time temperatures are above freezing. It’s also important to be bear-aware, especially in the spring when cubs are out with their mothers. 

Finding Joy on the Trail

So what’s the key to enjoying a hike? It’s different for everyone. For some, it’s beautiful views, hiking along the water, or enjoying peace and quiet in nature. If you’re interested in learning more about the flora and fauna you encounter on your hike, there are countless field guides, but modern technology has given us helpful apps like iNaturalist and Seek to help identify plants and animals. If you’re a budding birdwatcher, the Merlin Bird ID app is worth downloading.

Joining Group Hikes and Community

If you’re brand new to hiking,it’s helpful to go with a friend or a group. Local trail maintenance organizations like the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and Mountain Club of Maryland offer group hikes. Meetup is also a source for finding group hikes, and there are a number of hiking groups like Girls Who Hike MD, Hikerbabes Community: Maryland Chapter, Maryland Trail Dames, and more. Many state and national park sites offer guided hikes throughout the year as well. Hikes are generally free unless there is a membership fee for the group or an entrance fee to the park. Guided hikes that charge a fee require the organizer to obtain a special use permit or commercial use authorization. 

The next time you head out for a hike, plan ahead to make your outing safe and enjoyable. And be sure to remember this important Leave No Trace saying: “Take Only Photographs, Leave Only Footprints.”