Hiking

History

Hiking and backpacking are activities that allow participants to appreciate nature from a close vantage point. Hiking also offers many aerobic benefits.

Hiking gained popularity along with the American conservation movement in the mid-nineteenth century. Artists and writers who promoted the aesthetic and spiritual value of the wilderness gained the attention of politicians, who sought legislation to preserve large wilderness areas. In 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the first major conservation effort, followed by Yosemite, Sequoia, and many other parks and preserves.

In 1892, John Muir, Joseph LeConte, and other outdoor enthusiasts founded the Sierra Club, one of the first organizations to promote hiking. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America adopted hiking as a healthy and educational activity for children, and also helped develop trails. Many of the first hiking trails (still in use today) followed paths worn by Native Americans, logging roads, and dried-up creek beds.

In 1921, conservationist Benton MacKaye envisioned an idyllic hiking trail that would connect mountain peaks along the Appalachian chain from New England to the Southern states. The Appalachian Trail (AT) was completed in 1939, although it has undergone many changes since. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped to construct the AT and other trails, and built cabins and lean-tos that continue to provide shelter from the elements.

While the AT was being established, Clinton Clarke and Warren Rogers were developing a trail from Mexico to Canada. For decades, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) remained disconnected as it wound through California, Oregon, and Washington, but the introduction of the National Trails System in 1968 allowed it to be completed.

A decade later, Congress designated the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) as the country’s third national north-south trail. The 3,100-mile trail winds through the Rocky Mountains and other remote areas from Mexico to Canada.

The latest trail to be developed is the American Discovery Trail. The trail runs from coast to coast through many urban areas, and thus attracts hikers looking for a cultural and people-oriented experience.

Hiking has become both a popular sport and a multi-million dollar industry. It differs from mountaineering, or climbing, in that no special skills are required, and usually takes place at lower elevations.

Equipment & Supplies

For day hikes

• Small backpack or fanny pack
• Comfortable shoes or hiking boots (Sneakers may be fine for some conditions, while hiking boots are necessary for rocky terrain and slippery trails.)
• Layers of clothing (Long pants will protect legs, but shorts tend to be more comfortable.)
• Rain protection
• Food/snacks

Water

• Trail guide
• Compass and/or GPS unit
• Matches (in waterproof container)
• First aid kit, including moleskin
• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Bug repellent
• Flashlight (and spare batteries)
• Pocketknife

Whistle

• Cell phone (for emergencies)

Other optional supplies

• Rubber-soled sandals (for crossing streams)
• Topographic maps
• Trekking poles
• Hydration pack

Camera

• Binoculars
• Field guides

Additional supplies for backpacking

• Backpack and rain cover
• Lightweight tent, rainfly, ground cloth, and tent stakes
• Tent repair kit or seam sealer
• Lightweight sleeping bag
• Cooking supplies
• Eating utensils
• Dishes or mess kit
• Dish cleaning supplies
• Backpacking stove and fuel
• Food and beverages
• Water purification system or iodine tablets
• Camp saw or axe
• Nylon clothesline
• Garbage bags
• Small trowel and toilet paper
• Stuff sacks
• Toiletries
• Lightweight camp towel and washcloth

Seasonal and other optional backpacking supplies

• Sleeping pad

Pillow

• Portable shower system
• Bathing suit
• X-country ski equipment or snowshoes
• Magnetic games, cards
• Books, journals, pens

Tips & Techniques

Considerations for selecting a hiking trail

• Difficulty and length
• Elevation change
• Scenic appeal
• Suitable campsites
• Water supplies
• Parking logistics

Preparing for the trip

• Acquire permits and reservations, if necessary.
• Acquire maps and trail guides.
• Test all gear before setting out.
• Make sure hiking boots are broken in.
• Carry a backpack filled with increasingly heavier loads until the full weight (30 to 50 pounds) becomes tolerable.
• Put toiletries, spices, dishwashing liquid, etc. in small containers.
• Pack and weigh backpack: discard unnecessary items and replace heavy items with lighter-weight items whenever possible.
• Check the weather forecast, but be prepared for sudden changes

While hiking

• Be alert for snakes, bears, and other wildlife.
• Watch out for poison ivy, nettles, and other poisonous plants.
• Check for ticks regularly.
• Watch out for loose rocks and mud slides.
• Stay on trails and be alert to trail markings.
• Allow for plenty of rest stops.
• Do not drink fresh water supplies.
• When camping, hang food and other scented products, including toothpaste, from a tree away from tent.
• Set up campsite before dark.
• Do not set up tent within a few hundred feet of water. Be cautious of sites where floods could occur suddenly, including canyons and river valleys.
• Build campfire only where and when permitted and extinguish completely before going to sleep of breaking camp.
• Carry out all garbage.

Trends

As the baby boomer generation ages, hiking and backpacking trips that cater to more mature needs and desires have increased in popularity. For some, the outdoor experience now includes overnight stays in lodges or bed & breakfasts with catered gourmet meals.

Ecotourism to exotic locales and heli-hiking trips, in which a helicopter drops off backpackers for a week of isolation or transports hikers from base lodges to a variety of trails for day hikes, are also popular.

Many hikers enjoy organized trips sponsored by conservation groups, nature magazines, universities, and other organizations.