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 Toss out old supplies or out of date medications and restock with fresh items as necessary.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.

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.