Hiking Waldo Canyon, Colorado Springs, CO

Keep Your Hiking First Aid Kit Up To Date

Always carry a hiking first aid kit designed for the type of trek, and the number of people in your group and their experience level. Make sure you check that you have enough supplies for your group before heading into the great outdoors. Toss out old supplies or out of date medications and restock with fresh items as necessary. The key thing to remember about packing a hiking first aid kit is to plan for the worst and expect the best. It's better to bring some of the items back home than it is to need them and not have them available.

Never be complacent and always take a hiking first a id kit with you. The one time you don't will be the time you need it. In order to avoid an emergency when you’re out to enjoy a most memorable hike, make sure you prepare ahead and pack a hiking first aid kit.

Be Familiar With Your Hiking First Aid Kit

Regardless of what you bring in your hiking first aid kit, make sure you know how to use it. Take the time to learn basic wilderness first aid for the major maladies of the trail. This knowledge should include recognition of hypothermia and hyperthermia, dehydration, fever, infection and shock. Reading up on wilderness first aid or even taking a course about it can be very helpful. Medicine for the Backcountry by B. Tilton has a good reputation. If you are going into the backcountry, it’s a good idea to have a small first aid pocket guide along. There are quite a few available and most will educate you on how to stabilize a fractured limb, how to stop bleeding, and how to treat burns, insect bites and other injuries. Wilderness Medical Institute in Colorado offers classes around the country but there are other organizations too.

Before you go, learn about any possible hazards at your destination, such as poisonous plants, snakes and insects. With a life-threatening injury, nothing is more important than getting the victim out of the wilderness fast. This need alone may justify also carrying items like a cellular telephone or a signal flare in your backpack.

First Aids for Hiking: Already Made For Your Convenience

You can also find pre-constructed hiking first aid kits which we highly recommend for the beginner hiker. These may contain a more complete assortment of first aid items and a comprehensive first aid guide book or even a backcountry first aid guide book. There are a variety of hiking first aid kits available for day hikes or backpacking treks. Your hiking first aid kit should be tailored to your trekking terrain, weather, the ages of hikers, and your group's special medical needs. Many kits may include splints in the even of a broken bone, but experienced wilderness hikers forego carrying them, pointing out that a couple of broken tree limbs can serve the same purpose if they are needed.

Keep an open mind and use common sense and all that nature provides if you become challenged with a medical emergency out in the wild.

Build Your Own Hiking First Aid Kit

It is very easy to assemble your hiking first aid kit by looking around the house for a few common items and then supplementing your kit with a few extras to complete it. We’ve created a list of some important safety items to consider when putting together your own hiking first aid kit. We recommend that you add more items per your hiking group’s needs.

Adhesive bandage strips
Antibacterial hand cleaner
Antiseptic ointment
Cold pack
Cotton swabs, and cotton balls
Elastic-roll bandage
Emergency blanket
First Aid Guide book
Gauze pads
Lip protector
Moleskin (for blisters)
Scissors or pocketknife
Sterile wipe
Tissues
Tweezers

Also make sure to pack any needed medication like aspirin, antacid, asthma inhalers, allergy medication, or antihistamine, such as Benadryl, which can help treat reactions to allergies or insect bites and stings and for a severe life threatening reaction pack an epi-pen.

A Hiking First Aid Kit Is Essential

A hiking first aid kit should be an essential part of your outdoor gear and readily available for any hiking mishaps. While having a great time you must remember that hiking is a sport where you can easily get injured. It is a good idea to keep a large general kit for all recreational activities, as well as a smaller more specific one tailored to the event at hand. For instance, you don't need the same first aid gear for a softball game as you might carry on your back for a hike up an incline to a ridgetop. You will want to make sure your hiking first aid kit is lightweight and that it doesn't take up much space in your backpack.

When finding something to carry your hiking first aid kit in, think outside of the box. We recommend you keep an ID, emergency contact numbers and any medical instructions on your person at all times. You might want to have a few Band-aids handy in your pocket, since small puncture wounds are probably the biggest risk faced on wilderness trails and having an adequate supply of Band-aids to last the length of your journey is possibly the most important part of packing a hiking first aid kit. It’s a good idea to also keep aspirin or meds in a capsule attached to your carabiner, or to a lanyard about your neck with your compass and whistle.

You would then keep a more involved hiking first aid kit, such as a larger lightweight container (ziplock bag, soapbox, or soft sack) in your pack, which should contain more significant emergency items. It should offer convenient access and never be buried in your pack

Hikes with Kids: Build Memories

The child that grows up indoors, spending their free time sitting in front of a TV, or interacting with a video game or a computer, will become a much different adult than a child who has the freedom to roam and explore meadows and woodlands, discovering for themselves how immense and fascinating our earth is. When you are hiking with kids, the world expands in a child's imagination as they spend time in a forest, or climb a hill or mountain. Children need to play and get dirty, and be subjected to a wide enough array of bacteria so that they can also develop healthy immune systems as they grow.

One of the kindest things an adult can do for a child is walk or hike with him or her in the outdoors. Go hiking with kids, now

Hikes with Kids: Preserving The Outdoor Natural Habitat

When hiking with kids, make sure to stay on the trail at all times. Not only can children get lost, but going off the trail can damage fragile plant life and cutting across switch- backs creates a pattern of erosion. Teach your kids to treat the outdoors kindly. Be sure to pack out everything you pack in (carry a trash bag). Keep in mind, when hiking with kids, some of our trails may be marked with a Forest Service trail number, which means we may not pick or dig up wildflowers or other plants, may not cut on living trees or plants, may not remove moss or take souvenirs. As nature lovers, we are welcome to look and touch and take photos, but we must leave everything in place, to treat the forest as a living museum.

Hiking with Kids: Encountering Wildlife

You can be sure that when you are hiking with kids, they will be very excited to see wildlife on their adventure. This can make for a memorable experience and a great photo op, however you need to make sure to follow all safety precautions when encountering wildlife. Hiking with kids at dawn or dusk may increase your chances of meeting a bear. Use extra caution in places where hearing or visibility is limited: in brushy areas, near streams, where trails round a bend or on windy days. Avoid berry patches in fall. Reduce your chances of surprising a bear by making noise—talk or sing.
Make sure children are close to you or at least within your sight at all times. Leave your dog at home or have it on a leash. Here are some great books on how to react when encountering wildlife while hiking with kids.

Hiking With Kids Is Loaded With Teachable Moments

Hiking with kids can present a great opportunity to teach some basic outdoor survival skills. You can have them help navigate by using a map and compass to find your way. Children love being an expert. Have them identify birds, rocks, plants and wildlife along the way or use guide books to help identify what you observe. Teach kids to be aware of their environment and appreciate earth’s suttle details by looking for signs of wildlife (feathers on the ground, claw scratches on tree trunks, animal tracks or droppings, bird holes in dead trees, fur along the trail, slugs, water striders on lakes, frogs in pond). May we suggest some good hiking with kids resources to get you and the kids up to snuff on your adventure.

Hiking with Kids: Use All Five Senses

Enjoy the woods while hiking with kids! The idea of getting dirty, exploring new trails, and searching for wildlife, appeals to the inner child in most of us. Granted, kids can take longer than their fitness-focused adult counterparts, but that is usually because they have different goals. Kids seek adventures and their curiosity and imagination could probably teach adults a thing or two about trail appreciation. They are a lot closer to the ground. They will point out fungus, moss or insects that you will never see. Encourage their natural imagination. Set out on your hiking with kids excursion and the world becomes an exciting and magical place, where dried-up riverbeds become dinosaur grounds, ordinary mud becomes quicksand, and tree roots turn into crocodiles. Nature inspires creativity in a child by demanding visualization and the full use of the senses.

Kids are hands-on learners, so appeal to sights, sound, scent, touch and taste. Feel the texture of leaves or moss, smell the mud and listen with eyes closed to the sounds of wind. Lie on your back to observe clouds and make pictures from them, or taste the rain. For younger kids, tape together two empty toilet paper rolls and tie a string for first “binoculars.” They help to focus on just one bird in the bush or one fuzzy caterpillar. Older kids might like a scavenger hunt with items such as “Catch a smell. What is it?” Here are some fun games to help you enjoy your experience in the wilderness when hiking with kids.

Packing For Hiking With Kids

The first thing to consider when hiking with kids is how much should kids carry on their backs? Adults generally use 1/4 of body weight as a guideline, but we think this is too much for kids. Most kids find it much more enjoyable carrying a 10 pound pack or less. They can get most of the stuff in at 10 lbs, and the adult ends up carrying almost all of the food.

To start with, a school backpack will suffice for a beginning hike with kids. Let them pack a flashlight, their own water, a favorite snack, lightweight jacket or long sleeve shirt. If you have a child that’s of the indoor creative sort and not the kind to be outdoors roughing it, let them take a comfort creature of their choice that they will be responsible to carry throughout the hike. This will allow for a smile and cooperation on their new outdoor adventure as they show their plaything a good time and ultimately will make hiking with kids a successful day out.

If you’re wondering about hiking with kids that are infants or toddlers, don’t count them out yet. State of the art kid carriers, which are both adjustable and comfortable for family hiking events are available, and are very common practice for the well seasoned hiker.

You will want to prevent blisters when hiking with kids, so pay attention to their feet and stop immediately if they say their feet hurt, they may have a hot spot. If you put Moleskin on that hot spot soon enough and a blister won’t form. If a blister has already formed, never put Moleskin directly on it. Instead, cut a hole in the Moleskin the same size as the blister. That will keep the boot from rubbing the blister and inevitably keep the kids on the trail.

Hiking Colorado: Hiking with Kids

Hiking with kids should be kept simple and open-ended. A good planned hiking excursion is one that appeals to a child’s sense of exploration and adventure. It helps if you are familiar with the trail before you go hiking with kids, so that you can plan short scenic rest stops for munchies and water breaks and fun destinations to explore along the way, like waterfalls and caves, or even wildlife trees to observe. This will keep the children’s interests alive and their energy levels excited with anticipation. Encourage imaginative games that work into the context of a hike. Take a child's friend along; they'll be more likely to stay entertained. Make hiking with kids a family tradition so that when your child grows up, they will have experience and knowledge to pass on to friends and family for generations to come.

Types of Hiking Backpacks: Internal Frames vs External Frames

Lightweight Hiking Backpacks
Hiking lightweight is not a new concept. Lightweight hiking backpacks, also called daypacks, weigh less than three pounds, and are suitable for shorter hikes. They often come in hydration styles which feature internal bladders and drinking tubes. The mesh outer pockets are a great idea for lightweight backpacks. You can stuff any wet articles of clothing in them and dry them in the sun later. Most lightweight hiking backpacks don't have frames. We’ve come to the conclusion that lightweight hiking backpacks are less about high-tech materials than they are about simple design. If there's a new fabric or lighter/stronger frame material it's been tried before, often without significantly lowering the weight. Although some manufacturers may use the newest and coolest of material developments and some may be remarkably traditional, that, when it’s all said and done, they all share the same lay out: single compartment top-loaders with no access zippers, molded back panels, multiple pockets, etc.

Internal-frame Design Hiking Backpacks
Almost all trail and hiking backpacks feature an internal-frame design as an option. The body-hugging nature of internal frame hiking backpacks enhance your balance and freedom of movement. This is ideal for many hiking backpacking activities, such as mountaineering, skiing, scrambling and hiking in rough terrain. An internal frame pack generally fits better. This means you will stay balanced because the load moves when you move and doesn’t sway or shift. Many people who use packs in light to medium applications value the comfort, versatility and balance of an internal frame pack. More people buy internals than externals.

External-frame Design Hiking Backpacks
External frame hiking backpacks cost less and are often purchased by beginners. External frame packs are better for carrying extra-heavy loads because they shift the pack’s weight to the appropriate areas of the body where large bones and muscles can manage the load more efficiently. External frames act as extensions of bones and muscles although you may have problems with the pack’s balance.

Proper Packing Methods Can Lighten Your Load
The use of all types of hiking backpacks can be made more comfortable by proper packing methods. Hard objects against the body will quickly become uncomfortable and spare clothing and other soft items should be used as padding between those types of items and the body inside the pack. Whether you are carrying an internal or external frame hiking backpack, you should load it with balance and the convenient location of gear in mind. Carry clothing, cooking essentials and food in the main compartment. The heaviest gear should be stowed toward your back and centered in the pack to provide proper balance. Midweight gear should be carried toward the top and outside portion of the pack. In order to make sure you keep essentials handy, carry sunglasses, guidebook, map, compass, water bottles, snacks, and camera in the outer pockets. If you consistently pack your essential items in the same compartment each time, you will avoid frustration during your hiking adventures.

The best reason to buy lightweight hiking backpacks is to spur you on to lighten the rest of your load. You will find yourself moving farther, faster, and in less pain. A lighter backpack can not only help propel one up that hill, save your back from bearing the burden, or help ones knees on the backside of that hill, but also can help one enjoy the overall venture even more.

Make It Uplifting
Well, now you’ve got your work cut out for you. It’s up to you how you want to feel after a day of hiking extravaganza…will you live to see another glorious upright adventure or will you find yourself ailing and bent with your hands on your hips, tail between your legs, stumbling back to civilization. Since you don’t want to miss out when nature summons you to her beauty, take your time in finding hiking backpacks that will be uplifting.

Hiking Colorado: Basic Essentials of Hiking Backpacks

Adjustable Straps
First of all, hiking backpacks should have contoured padded shoulder straps that are easily adjustable to fit your body frame. It is a must for any backpack to have tightening straps. The straps are used to take off stress from parts of your back and redirect it elsewhere. They will keep the pack from sliding to the side while hiking, not hold the pack tightly to your back.

Hipbelt
The pack should also have a hipbelt. The hipbelt allows the weight of the pack to be evenly distributed and keep the pressure off stress points. Without a good hipbelt, all the weight would end up on your shoulder, neck and back muscles instead of your stronger hips and legs.

Pockets
The next thing that hiking backpacks should have are plenty of pockets. From cell phones to water bottles, you will need places to keep each thing separately and be easily accessible. There are some hiking backpacks that have a significant amount of pockets – these backpacks will cost more money, especially if the pockets are hidden, so make sure you choose wisely.

Lumbar Pad
Quality hiking backpacks will also have a lumbar pad situated at the small of your back to keep the pack's frame or hard items packed inside from digging into your back. Most of the downward force ends up at this point, so a lumbar pad with high-friction fabric is nice because it helps keep the belt from slipping.


Waterproof
It is also very important that hiking backpacks be weather resistant so we recommend hiking backpacks that feature waterproof outer shells and protective inner compartments. The backpack should be able to withstand blaring heat and a cold rain. Thus, look for backpacks that have a nylon base. If you have had nylon products before, then you will notice that it does an excellent job at repelling water.

Hiking Colorado: Backpacks

Hiking backpacks should be lightweight and comfortable and be able to hold everything that you need them to hold! With this in mind, make sure you don’t compromise the construction of the pack. It should be made of a strong material that is abrasion resistant.

It may seem daunting when it comes to shopping for hiking backpacks, because as you will notice, there are many different styles available on the market. It is important that you choose the size of your pack based on the length of your trip. We recommend smaller-capacity day or lumbar packs for local nature hikes. For longer trips, a pack in the larger size range for this category would be recommended. Perhaps you want a hiking backpack that does not necessarily look fashionable, one that is practical instead and suitable for the length and ruggedness of the hike. Or, maybe you want a backpack that has both fashion and functionality. Whatever the preference, there are some basic things that all hiking backpacks should have.

Best Hiking Boots for Men, Women and Kids

Best Hiking Boots for Kids
When searching for the best hiking boots for women, first you’ll need to keep in mind that women's feet tend to be narrower than men's feet. This is often most noticeable in the heel. Some type of boot insert is also a worthwhile consideration, since women's feet often are not as well padded as men's feet. When choosing best hiking boots for women, it’s most important for boots to fit snug, yet comfortable, and should be both flexible and breathable. We have found through our numerous hiking excursions that waterproofed Nubuck leather and flexible nylon mesh uppers offer this ample durability for comfort on the go.

Best Hiking Boots for Kids
The best hiking boots for kids should be both practical and versatile, which make them great for the trail, school, and backyard play. Your child should love their support, comfort, and convenience. A water-resistant leather upper is recommended as it allows them to tromp through puddles unscathed. May we also recommend a moisture-wicking lining, so your child's feet stay dry, comfortable, and blister-free. If you prefer the lighter fare for the best hiking boots for your children, try the suede with nylon mesh lining.

Now if you’re just starting out and hiking mostly on smooth flat trails and dry terrain for short excursions, the best hiking boots for kids may very well be just a regular pair of sneakers or running shoes. If the terrain is a bit steeper or even muddy or icy, then the best hiking boots for kids will need to have more of a grip on the bottom sole in order to pull oneself up the incline safely.

Best Hiking Boots for Men
Since you’ll be hiking in and around mountains and hills, the best hiking boots for men should allow your toes plenty of room for those long ground-pounding sessions on extended downhill descents beneath a heavy pack. Many of the best hiking boots for men are made of Nubuck leather, or other full-grain leather material backed with a waterproof and breathable laminate like Gore-Tex. This waterproof protection is a necessity in questionable weather or when high alpine snowmelt transforms steep trails into slick and muddy drainage channels.

Congratulations, you are one step closer to a most enjoyable and breathtaking adventure, now that you’ve researched and compared our best hiking boots.

Choosing the Best Hiking Boots for the Type of Trail and Time of Year

Trail Shoes
We recommend Trail Shoes for walking on well established, smooth trails and are usually the best hiking boots for short hikes or day walks in dry climate. These boots, under 2½ pounds, are more commonly known as lightweights. They resemble a combination running shoe/boot, and are generally constructed of suede, fabric, leather or nylon mesh, which make them ideal for summer hiking adventures. Some lightweight hiking boots weigh in at barely more than a pound. These are less for protecting the feet and ankles from rocky terrain and more for providing protection to the bottom of the foot. These are the best hiking boots for comfort, cushioning and breathability. The casual hiker will love these as their best hiking boots, while the backpacker will limp into camp.

Trail Hikers
The best hiking boots for longer, more rugged trails, require something sturdier like Trail Hikers. They have the tread on the bottom, usually a vibram or lug sole, which is needed for rocky ground. This sole can provide better traction while ascending and descending inclines and even on muddy terrain. These higher-cut boots will provide added stability and ankle protection against protruding branches and rocks, or even snakes that may be encountered in the wild. Trail hikers, also called middleweights, weigh 2½ pounds or more and are usually made of all leather and have decent weatherproofing. These are the best hiking boots suitable for most light to moderate backpacking loads and winter hiking conditions.

Mountaineering Boots
If you have planned multi-day trips which may involve scaling steep mountain faces, you will need Mountaineering Boots. These durable alpine boots are the best hiking boots for rough or steep terrain where you may need to attach crampons for a better grip on glaciers or hard-packed snow. For this reason, you want a rigid boot with a stiff sole to give your ankles extra support and protection as you climb on extremely challenging terrain. These are the best hiking boots for on- and off-trail hiking with moderate to heavy backpacking loads.

Colorado Hiking: Selecting The Best Hiking Boots

When it comes to choosing the best hiking boots to endure the type of outdoor adventure planned, it is of utmost importance to keep comfort and safety in mind. This, inevitably, can make all the difference in the world for a long memorable hike or a short-lived disaster. This is the single most valuable piece of hiking equipment and can set the tone for future hikes to come…or not. Now it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go out and buy the latest and the best hiking boots around to outfit your family, for it can become quite pricy and we wouldn’t want to start you off on the wrong foot. In fact, your best hiking boots may very well be found sitting right in your garage. You just need to dust them off and inspect the soles to make sure the treads aren’t worn down or have gaping holes. You will also want to make sure there is enough support for your ankle.

In order to assist you better, we would like to share our expert opinions in helping you decide which are best hiking boots for your needs. On that note, here are some things you should consider. We feel that the best hiking boots are built with a sturdy sole which will allow for hiking on rough trails in the wilderness. A strong, solid bottom will protect your feet from getting stone bruises or thorn punctures, if you should happen to encounter such obstacles while hiking. They should also have decent cushioning on the insole to reduce the possibility of blisters. Keeping this in mind, we recommend that you wear two pairs of socks, a thick wool outer layer along with a thin soft inner layer. The sides of your best hiking boots should offer sufficient support to help protect your ankles from being twisted to one side or the other on uneven terrain.

Hiking in Colorado: Let Us Be Your Guide

If you should become inclined to hike, we can help you have a successful experience. We gather our knowledge from avid hikers of all ages. Many of our contributors volunteer with Trails and Open Spaces or have experience in the U.S. Forest Service. Start planning your hiking Colorado trip with us, your resource for hiking adventures. You won’t want to miss the next uplifting adventure as we build on our esteem, knowledge, and physical prowess of hiking Colorado together.

You’re not living for tomorrow unless you’re hiking Colorado today!

Colorado Hiking Memories: A Lasting Imprint

Are we ready to begin our hiking Colorado treasure hunt, where we unearth the sounds of brilliantly crashing waterfalls, the sights of majestic peaks and consuming canyons, the fresh air fragrance of wildflowers and mountain scent pines, the tastes of sweet honey syrup and succulent berries; all at our fingertips…Over the river and through the woods, along mountain streams to hot springs, waterfalls and lakes we go...The trail knows the way to carry the day up gentle slopes and rolling hills, across wide open meadows with colorful aspens...To the top of ridges, peaks and vistas, across tree lines and ridgelines through caves and caverns, we’ll discover a spectacular experience while hiking Colorado.

You’ll want to keep a journal or a log to record your miles trekked and elevations scaled. Make a history book of your Hiking Colorado treasure hunt of where you’ve been, ALL ON FOOT, or create a scrapbook of the glorious sights you’ve captured along the way.

Colorado Hiking: Safety First

Do your research in advance, make sure you know your environment. It’s very important to be aware of weather patterns that are in effect for the time of year for hiking Colorado, so you will know how to dress and when to head back from your adventure. Whenever humans interact with nature, there’s always a chance of injury. Make sure to put together a mini first aid kit in case something happens while hiking Colorado. It’s best to be familiar with the types of plants and wildlife in the area as this can be a great learning experience for the kids.

Hiking Colorado: Preparation is Key

When hiking Colorado, begin with a checklist of essential items you’ll want to bring along. We’ve provided a list of our Favorite Hiking Colorado Things to get you started. Remember you’ll want to pack lightly, but take enough water and energy foods for everyone. Proper footwear is the most valuable item you’ll need so that you can avoid getting blisters and help with traction while ascending and descending the trails. A lightweight backpack is recommended along with lightweight layers of clothing. Protection from the sun is also a must while hiking Colorado. Be sure to check out the nifty gadgets and all the latest in hiking equipment and educational resources available.

Colorado Adventures: Getting Fit

Each month, a new hiking Colorado adventure will be featured. We will highlight one of our favorites to share with you. If you follow along from the beginning, the level of difficulty will gradually increase as we become more environmentally adapted and physically fit. Hiking Colorado can be a great way to exercise for the whole family and have a most enjoyable time doing it. Without even knowing, you’re improving your quality of life through fitness.

Hiking Colorado: an inspiring way to come to your senses

Hiking Colorado can be an inspiring way to come to your senses. We begin by enriching our lives through the enlightenment and beauty of hiking Colorado, with its breathtaking views, exhilarating sounds, refreshing scents. Here we will discover some of Colorado’s natural wonders and best kept secrets together and gain a lifetime of precious memories that will change you and your family’s compass forever…

Get up off the couch and out into God’s great country and Your giant outdoor playground. Explore like a kid again. Do you remember the freedom of the outdoors? By hiking Colorado, we can put away our ipods, Nintendo wiis, remotes, and laptops to step away from our hectic everyday schedules and relax as the calming beauty of nature rejuvenates us.