Last weekend, before temps reached into the triple digits (yikes!), we ventured out to a nearby canyon that has recently undergone some updates for a mellow day hike. Our city added nicely paved walking and equestrian paths, a horse corral, hitching post, newly paved parking lot, bike racks, and some bathrooms. The weather was perfect, overcast and cool, for the easy trail. Had we not spotted the mountain lion that crossed our path, we would have enjoyed a nice hour-long walk.
Let me preface this by saying, I’m no chicken. I wouldn’t call myself an avid hiker, but I’ve hiked plenty: Grand Canyon twice, Half-Dome in one day (okay, I was really young then), and many, many day hikes. Up until last weekend, I never thought of taking more than a bottle of water, sunscreen, and maybe a snack. But that mountain lion got me thinking; it got me thinking about expanding my paraphernalia of hiking crap that I take with me. Now, I don’t want to scare anyone or freak myself out – in the past the only real imminent danger were rattle snakes – but I realize a few key items will keep me and my hiking partner safer than just a bottle of water.
So here goes my expanded “What to take on a day hike” list:
- Water (of course)
- Good shoes – on a day hike, I wear my Keen sandals since I’m not traversing a steep mountain slope.
- Sunscreen and a hat – I really need to get better about wearing hats!
- A simple snack – I personally like Clif Bar, but trail mix works too.
- Walking stick – okay, so my first instinct after spotting the mountain lion was to grab a big stick, that way it would keep some distance between me and the lion if need be.
- Snake Bite Kit – in all my years of roaming the shrub-lined hills in my area, snakes were really the only danger, a snake bite kit would be practical.
- Bear spray – maybe this is a bit overkill; I’ve been watching too much Discover Channel, Alaska I think.
What do you take with you on a day hike?
P.S. If you’re wondering about a cell phone, the only comment I have on that is sometimes there’s no reception in a canyon or in heavy trees.
2 Comments
I am not a hiker, I rather cycle! Despite that, you always need your cell phone if you get lost. My wife has me take my cell phone on rides just in case I have an accident or get hurt. Recently a few people were lost in the area (Los Angeles) mountains and they needed their phones! One phone was not charged so GPS would not work and I don’t recall about the other.
Don’t forget this is National Bicycle month… Get out there and ride!