Planning a day hike? Here’s what you really need

A day hike shouldn’t require a shopping spree.

You don’t need expensive boots, specialized hiking clothes or a backpack full of gear to spend a few hours on the trail. But don’t take that as permission to head out unprepared.

“Underpacking is the mistake I see most often,” said Jessi Loerch, magazine editor for the Washington Trails Association, a nonprofit that promotes hiking and maintains trails across Washington state.

She said the trick is knowing what’s actually worth carrying — and what you can leave at home.

Start with the essentials

For a shorter hike, Loerch recommends starting with a few basics: sturdy footwear, enough food and water, appropriate layers and a reliable way to navigate. Footwear doesn’t necessarily mean hiking boots. Loerch said a sturdy pair of sneakers with good traction is perfectly fine for an easier trail.

“I almost exclusively hike in trail runners, and I know that works for me,” she said.

Your backpack doesn’t need to be anything fancy, either. It just needs to comfortably carry what you’ll need for the day, she said. 

There is a more comprehensive standard for hiking preparedness called the Ten Essentials. Seattle-based outdoor organization The Mountaineers began teaching these principles in its climbing courses in the 1930s and formalized the system in 1974.

Today, the group lists the Ten Essentials as:

• Navigation
• Headlamp
• Sun protection
• First aid
• Knife and repair kit
• Fire
• Shelter
• Extra food
• Extra water
• Extra clothes

That list may appear extensive for a short day hike, but it’s designed to help hikers handle unexpected situations and emergencies.

Don’t underestimate food and water

There’s no one-size-fits-all amount of food or water to bring on a hike. How much you need depends on the weather, the length of the hike and your own needs.

“I try to bring at least a liter of water no matter what,” Loerch said. “If I’m gonna be out for more than two or three hours, and especially if it’s hot, I might bring another liter.”

When deciding how much food to pack, beginners should also account for the possibility that a hike could take longer than expected.

“I always have an extra granola bar that’s calorie dense at the bottom of my bag,” Loerch said. “That’s my emergency food.”

Pack for changing weather

What you wear and carry also depends on where — and when — you’re going.

If you’re hiking in the Pacific Northwest, Loerch recommends a base layer, an insulating layer and a waterproof layer. That insulating layer could be a puffy jacket or wool sweater. In hotter, drier climates, sun protection may be more important.

Regardless of where you’re hiking, check the forecast before you leave and be prepared for conditions to shift.

“Especially in fall and spring, weather can change,” Loerch said. “Even in the summer, if you live somewhere with thunderstorms, the weather can change so fast.”

Download your map before you go

Your phone can be a useful navigation tool, but keep in mind that you may not have cell service on the trail. That doesn’t mean you have to rely on a paper map. Hikers can use navigation apps such as CalTopo or Gaia GPS, as long as they save the map to their phone ahead of time.

“The thing that folks do need to remember — it’s easy to forget — you do have to download the map before you lose service,” Loerch said.

Of course, that map won’t be much help if your phone battery dies. Make sure you start your hike with a full charge.

Don’t overlook the logistics

One detail you might not think about until it’s too late: There may not be a restroom waiting for you at the trailhead. Before you arrive, check whether there’s a portable toilet and learn how to relieve yourself outdoors responsibly if there isn’t. Rules vary by location, so find out whether you need to bury or pack out human waste and what to do with used toilet paper.

You should also determine whether the trail requires a permit or parking pass, and check the website of the agency that manages the trail for closures, alerts or other current conditions.

And before you head out, share your plans with someone you trust.

“If you’re gonna go out hiking, one of the best things you can do to help your safety is tell someone where you’re going … and when you plan to be back,” Loerch said.

Make sure that person also knows when to call 911 if you don’t return or check in as planned.

Should beginners hike alone?

Hiking alone isn’t necessarily off-limits, but Loerch said she wouldn’t recommend it for beginners. Instead, consider going with someone more experienced or joining an organized hiking group.

“Bring someone with you, or find a social group like The Mountaineers and do some group hikes,” she said.