Trail Research Questions
As a general life rule, I feel the most comfortable when I’m prepared. The first principle of Leave No Trace is to Plan Ahead & Prepare. In my opinion this step gets overlooked too often. Every single time I adventure unprepared, something happens that could have been prevented. The first step when I go on a hike is research the trail in advance. These are some of the questions I like to answer before we head out:
What are the trail regulations and restrictions?
What are the weather predictions for the day?
Where do I park?
Where is the trailhead in relation to the parking area?
What are the current trail conditions?
Will I have cell service / good signal?
Where is the closest bathroom facility?
Does the trail split at any point?
Does the trail enter private land?
Are there any lookout spots or must see things?
I find the answers to these questions on the AllTrails app (from their info and personal reviews) or other hiking blogs!
You can read more about the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace & the importance of planning ahead here:
