FitSugar

Top Five US Hiking Trails

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Fall is my favorite time of year to hike not only because the air is cooler so you don't have to worry about overheating or sweaty feet causing blisters, but also because of the gorgeous Fall foliage. According to TrailsTV.com, there are at least 10 trails in the US everyone should hike. Here are the highlights of five of their recommendations, listed in no particular order.

Glacier Gorge - Estes Park Colorado
The scenery, wildflowers, waterfalls, and alpine lakes are some of the most beautiful on the planet. It’s a photographer's dream.
The Bright Angel Trail - Grand Canyon, Arizona
If you've never been hiking in the Grand Canyon before, this is the place to start. The Bright Angel Trail is one of the two superhighways of the Grand Canyon, the other being the South Kaibab Trail. Both of these trails are well maintained and offer some spectacular views of the Canyon.
The Tahoe Rim Trail - Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
The Tahoe Rim Trail is one of the world’s premier trails. It passes through two states (California and Nevada), six counties, one state park, three National Forests, and three wilderness areas.
Half Dome - Yosemite, California
This special spot was an inspiration to Ansel Adams because of its magnificent wildlife, dainty flowers, and towering trees.
Enchantment Traverse - Seattle, Washington
Considered the best hike in Washington, Enchantment offers a super diverse 30 miles. From easy wide flats to steep, rough areas, the hard fought permit is well worth the effort . . .

To check out the other five trails that make the top 10, check out TrailTV's full list.

Source

Take a Hike: TrailLink.com

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Late summer and early fall are prime hiking seasons. The air is just a wee bit cooler and the leaves are just starting to turn. If you are at a loss of where to hike I have a great web source for you - TrailLink.com. This site will help you find the best trails for your outdoor recreation of choice, be it: walking, biking, horseback riding or inline skating and more. I would just start with the advanced search because it is more specific, and you can find parks in your state with trails for your activity. You can even search by wheelchair accessibility!

The site is sponsored by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy initiative (a great program that turns abandoned railroad track into multi-use trails), but the trails listed are not limited to converted railroad trails, they even list some urban bike paths!

So get out there and take a hike!

Hike it up - The Trail, That Is

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 07:30:00 -0800

Hiking is one of the best things you can do to get your heart pumping and your muscles working. You don't have to hike a mountain in order to call it a "hike." If bad knees are your problem, stick to level ground. Going downhill really does a number on your joints.
Tips for a smooth hike...

Hike with a Friend - Never hike alone. There's safety in numbers. Speaking of numbers, it's a great idea to carry cell phones in case someone gets separated or hurt.

Plan Ahead - Know the terrain. Get a copy of the trail map so you know what to expect. A Hand-held GPS isn't a bad idea either.

Dress accordingly - Wear waterproof hiking boots that are high enough to protect your ankle. If it's cold out, wear lots of layers. Once you get moving, you'll quickly want to shed the warm stuff so you don't overheat.

Pack - Carry a comfortable lumbar pack or backpack. Fill it with a big bottle of water, first-aid kit, snacks like trail mix and granola bars.

Fit's Tips: Don't forget to bring a lightweight camera to save all your memories.

Tips for Hiking Etiquette

FitSugar — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Ahhh September. This is the perfect month to enjoy a day hike since the weather is usually a bit cooler, but still gorgeous. Since you already know what to pack, now all you need to know are some rules of hiking etiquette and ways to ensure you have the least amount of impact.

Stick to the dirt trail. It'll keep you safe and it will protect the natural environment. If everyone trampled wherever they wanted, there wouldn't be much plant life to enjoy.
If it's a hike you're not too familiar with pack a map of the trail, a GPS device and a compass. Getting lost is no fun. Also be considerate to your friends and family and let them know where you are going and when you'll be back. If anything happens, you want people to know where to look for you.
If you bring your dog, there may be a rule about keeping him or her on a leash. Follow this rule, as there may be fellow hikers on the trail who have other dogs or who are afraid of them. Be sure to clean up after your dog too.
Pack a small garbage bag so you can keep track of your trash and pick up after other messy hikers.

There's more you should know before hitting the trail. To find out read more

Don't disturb animals or their homes. If you see a beaver dam, just be an observer, and take a few pics if you want.
Along the same lines, don't pick flowers or plants. Leave them for others to enjoy. It's also not a smart idea to touch plants since you don't know which might be poison ivy.
Be one with nature. This means to keep your voice down and don't blare any loud music. If you scare off the wildlife, you won't have any amazing sounds to see and hear.
If you need to go number one, do so far away from the trail and any natural water sources. If you need to go number two, make sure you dig a hole first. Use nature's toilet paper (dead leaves) and bury it all when you're done.
If you see any damage to the trail or trail signs, note the exact location, and be sure to contact the proper authorities.

Source

Get Physical: Leaf Peep While You Hike

FitSugar — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Hiking is a great way to get some exercise with your honey, all while enjoying the gorgeous views of autumn leaves. It's a great form of exercise since you're working your muscles and breathing heavy. Plus, if the trail is steep, you get to use your arms as well, so it works your upper body too.

If you don't live in an area that gets brilliant foliage, then you and your honey should try to go leaf peeping -photographing and viewing the fall foliage- somewhere else. Check out this list of the Top 100 Trails in North America. The list shows trails in just about every state, which means you're sure to find one near you (or near where you'll be visiting).

Be sure to pack extra layers since it can get chilly and windy towards the summit. Wear hiking boots that protect your ankles, and have sturdy soles since the ground can get really slippery in the fall. Of course don't forget snacks, water, and a camera too, since the views are spectacular once you reach the top.

Fit's Tips: Does trekking it back downhill hurt your knees? Check out these great tips for protecting your knees while hiking downhill.

What's the Deal With: Geocaching

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Some people use their Global Positioning System (GPS) when they are lost, and some people use it for fun. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a GPS or other navigational techniques to hide and also seek out containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world.

Here's how it works: individuals and organizations set up caches anywhere they want (usually on hiking trails) and then they share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the latitude and longitude coordinates to find the caches. They can be found tied up in the branches of trees, in a field of grass, just off a path, or anywhere else along a trail. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is to leave something in the cache container if they take something.

What do you find in a cache? To find out read more

One of the things you'll usually find in a cache is a logbook. Everyone who has found that particular cache will write down their name, the date, the time they arrived, and any other info they'd like to share (great sites to see in the surrounding area or coordinates to other caches nearby).

What else can be found in a cache? Maps, books, software, hardware, CDs, DVDs, pictures, money, jewelry, tickets, antiques, tools, art, games - anything and everything (it just has to fit in the container). It's recommended that items in a cache be individually packaged in a clear zipped plastic bag to protect them. What shouldn't be in a cache? Food (wild animals, though cute, are not invited to play in this game), weapons, drugs, alcohol, or anything illegal are not cache-worthy.

Want to play? Check out this website, type in where you live (or where you're planning on going) and find the coordinates of a cache. Strap on your hiking boots, and have some fun while you get a great workout.

Source

Know Your Enemy: Poison Ivy!

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:30:00 -0700

'Tis the season for Hiking and trail running. There's a lot of beauty in these woods, but you got to be careful and avoid the poison ivy that lurks at the edges of the forest. Yes, it pays to know your enemy.

First off, it is the uroshiol oil on the plant that is the culprit and creates the horrible itchy, blistery skin reactions associated with poison ivy. While some people don't have a reaction to the oil, others may be hospitalized because their reaction is so severe. You should also know that even if you've been exposed to poison ivy and had no reaction, you are not necessarily immune to it. People can develop reactions at any time of their lives, so it is best to avoid poison ivy at all costs.

You will experience symptoms wherever the oil makes contact with your skin. First you will get a red, itchy spot on your skin, that develops into blisters. Once you wash your skin with soap and cold water, the rash won't spread. If you pop the blisters, the rash won't spread either, but the wounds could become infected so it is best not to pop them.

Many plants can look like poison ivy, so pay close attention whenever you're walking in moist areas. The rule "Leaves of 3, Let it be," doesn't always work. It can grow in groups of 3 leaves, with a larger middle leaf, but it can also grow up to 9 leaves in a group.

Want to know what to look out for, then read more

Poison ivy needs light to grow, so often you'll find it lurking on the edge of woods, roads, parking lots, and fields. In the deep woods, poison ivy can't get enough light, so watch out for moist places that get enough sunlight.
Poison ivy generally grows in a cluster of low weed-like plants, but it can also be a vine that climbs up trees.
The edges of the leaves have tiny "teeth."
The leaves aren't always green - they are reddish in the spring, green in the summer, and yellow or orange in the fall.
The berries are typically white.

Fit's Tips: To avoid getting poison ivy, wear long pants and shoes that cover your entire foot if you are going to be trekking in the woods. If you know you've been exposed to poison ivy, rinse the area immediately with COLD water - hot water will open your pores and let the oil in, which could make your reaction worse.

Here are some more pictures of poison ivy:

poison ivy in the spring

poison ivy in the summer

poison ivy in the fall

climbing poison ivy

Fit's Tips: Poison ivy grows everywhere in the U.S. except in the far west, deserts, and high altitudes.

a poison ivy bush

Source

Which Fall Activity Burns More Calories?

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:30:05 -0800

Even though the days are shorter, there are still a lot of ways to burn calories in the crisp Fall air. But do you know which activities burn the most? Take my quiz to find out. All calorie calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.

Take the quiz

Fittingly Mad: Dog Poo and Hiking Don't Mix

FitSugar — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0700

I planned a two hour family hike last weekend and everything was going well, until my little daughter stepped in dog poo. I was so thoroughly disgusted. Not by the smell, but by the irresponsible hikers that walked the trail before us. Not to be gross, but the doggy deposit was definitely fresh. As we were hiking up the mountain, I tried not to glare at every hiker we passed with a pooch.

I have no problem with dogs on the trail. We take Bonnie the dog with us all the time. I also carry a couple of bags in case she goes on the trail. I do, however, have a problem with a dog owner not picking up his or her dog's business especially when it is in the middle of the path. It's rude and disrespectful to the mountain and to the fellow hikers to not clean up a mess your pet leaves behind. I think it is a lot like littering (although it does eventually decompose, but like trash it doesn't belong on the trail). Do you have issues with this too? If you do, share them in the comments section below.

Source

Grade Your Hikes

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

I love hiking in the Fall because of the beautiful scenery and perfect weather - the crisp air never leaves me too hot or too cold. On the weekends I often go on all-day or multi-day hikes in Yosemite valley or the Lake Tahoe region. Some of my friends equate hiking with a leisurely stroll through the woods, but anyone who hikes regularly knows this isn't always the case. Whether it's steep, rocky, or exposed terrain, a hiking trail can be quite difficult.

One way I prepare for an all-day hike is by researching the difficulty of the trail I'm walking. I'll use guidebooks and the Internet as resources, as well as the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). The YDS is a three-part classification system that rates the difficulty of walks, hikes, and rock climbs based on categories of terrain, length, and level of danger. Not all routes are graded in each category - generally speaking, rock climbs are the only routes that use all three grading systems of the YDS.

To learn how hikes are classified, read more.

Classifying a route's terrain is what's most applicable to hiking trails, especially longer, more intense hikes such as the John Muir trail or Half Dome hike. Here's a general breakdown of the different terrain class types found in the YDS:

Class 1: Walking on a relatively flat trail with little chance of injury. Many backpackers compare a class 1 route to walking on a sidewalk.
Class 2: A simple trail that might have a slight incline. You may have to use your hands to balance while scrambling up rocks.
Class 3: You'll definitely need to use your hands and feet to find balance along parts of the trail while scrambling up rocks. There may be exposed terrain during the hike, though a fall should not prove fatal.
Class 4: This hike will involve climbing up steep terrain, and even though the route will have some natural protection, a fall could prove fatal.
Class 5+: Reserved for rock and aid climbing. Protection and gear recommended for these climbs as a fall will prove fatal.

Keep in mind that the YDS is a somewhat subjective grading system and there can definitely be some overlap and debate over a class assignment. I continue to use it as a guide because I can search for harder or easier trails depending on my mood that day. I'm also finding that more and more backpackers are using the YDS lingo when describing a trail to one another.

You can also keep a journal with details of your favorite trails and try rating them for yourself. If you do assign a class rating to a trail, the class assignment should reflect the hardest part of the hike. (For example, if you went on a hike that was mainly class 1 but had a few elements of a class 3 route, classify the hike as a class 3 route.)

Tell me, what class of hikes do you usually stick to?