Month: June 2023

Are you hoping to enjoy the summer weather on some hiking trails? If you are new to hiking, there are a few things you should know before you go. Hiking etiquette is one way to ensure safety on hiking trails, and these introductory tips will help you negotiate with any other hikers you may encounter on your journey. 

Right of Way

The most important part of trail etiquette to keep in mind is the principle of Right of Way. Right of Way on a trail dictates who should yield and let others pass. Not only is Right of Way about being respectful and friendly, but it is also about keeping the trail safe for everyone.

The three main groups you might encounter on a hiking trail are hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. (In winter weather, you may also find cross-country skiers, snowshoers, or snowmobile riders, and you can read more about snowy trail etiquette here.) 

Trail Etiquette around Horses

It is important for everyone to always yield to horses and other pack animals, as they can scare easily. If you encounter a horseback rider on your hike, step to the side to give the animal plenty of room to pass on the trail. Let the rider know of your presence as early as possible, and follow their lead since they know their animal best.

Trail Etiquette Near Mountain Bikers

Bikers yield to both hikers and horseback riders. Bicyclists need to be aware of their surroundings at all times, bike within their abilities, and keep control of their bikes around hikers. That said, one rule of hiking etiquette is to be aware of the trail you are on. There are mixed-use trails and trails specifically for mountain bikers, e-bikers, etc. If you find yourself accidentally hiking on a single-track mountain biking trail, you need to be careful to avoid causing a collision.

Trail Etiquette with Other Hikers

Finally, there are suggested rules with regard to Right of Way between two hikers. Downhill hikers should always yield to uphill hikers. This rule is kind to those hiking up a hill in order to allow them to keep their momentum. It is easier for downhill hikers to stop and move to the side. Finally, I try to always yield to hikers with dogs or small children in order to avoid separating a group or causing confusion.

Passing on the Trail

Another rule of trail etiquette suggests the best way for hikers to pass others on the trail. As noted, providing other hikers advance notice of your presence is the best way to avoid an accident. It is also a good way to create a friendly environment for everyone to enjoy nature. Horses and pets may scare easily, so letting owners know you are coming upon them is important for everyone’s safety. 

If the trail is wide enough, you can simply announce that you are passing on whichever side, similar to biking etiquette. If you are hiking on a narrow trail or the group in front of you is large, you may need to ask “May I pass” and wait for the group to move. 

Leave No Trace Principles

When yielding space to others on a hiking trail, you want to keep the principles of Leave No Trace in mind. It is always preferred for hikers to stay on the trail when possible in order to preserve the surrounding landscape. If you see other hikers coming, especially coming up a hill, you can choose the widest spot on the trail and step aside early. If you need to step off-trail, avoid stepping on fragile foliage or wildflowers. Find the most durable surface, like a rock, to step on instead. 

Trail Etiquette for the Trail

Leave No Trace means protecting nature and minimizing human impacts. Look at the trail conditions before you leave, and if you see that it is wet and muddy, consider rescheduling your hike. Choosing to continue in suboptimal conditions could be dangerous and can easily damage the trail. Sometimes hiking etiquette means being respectful of nature and finding a different place to hike. 

Hiking with Kids

Taking the little ones hiking is a great way to introduce them to nature and get some exercise. If you are wondering if you can take kids hiking, I believe you absolutely should! That said, don’t forget to teach them these important rules of trail etiquette. It is essential for children’s safety that they yield properly to horseback riders. 

It is also important to teach your kids to be good stewards of the land. Teaching Leave No Trace principles to your children on hiking trips will help them learn early how to respect nature and take care of our planet. Make sure your little ones know that yielding off-trail does not give them free rein to trample the surrounding landscape. Keep kids within trail boundaries, and make sure they know to leave nature intact.

Hiking with Pets

Like most dogs, your furry friend probably enjoys joining you on the trail. If you plan to bring your pet on your next hike, there are a few other trail etiquette rules you should keep in mind. First, in most instances, you should keep your dog on a leash. Unless you are in a specifically designated no-leash area, this is best for everyone’s safety. If your dog happens upon a biker, it could easily cause an accident. Dogs and their barking can also startle horses easily. Therefore, keep your dog close to be respectful to all other trail users. 

Next, try to keep your dog’s barking to a minimum. This is easier said than done, but hikers love the peace and quiet of nature, and barking can disturb both wildlife and other visitors. Finally, keep your dog close to the trail. This Leave No Trace principle applies to humans and pets alike. You do not want your dog eating random plants, and hikers do not want to find their surroundings trampled, dug up, or destroyed. Train your dog to be a good hiking companion, and you will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. 

Final Thoughts

Hiking etiquette is about respect for others and respect for nature. It is also about safety. Most hikers know the Right of Way protocols, and they will be expecting you to behave accordingly. Being friendly and courteous on the trail will foster a safe and pleasant atmosphere on your hike.

Colorado is home to many interesting and exciting species of wildlife, and that includes black bears. If you are planning to camp in bear country, there are some things you should know in order to be well prepared. We’ve compiled a list of the most important tips for bear proofing a campsite as well as how to stay safe while hiking in bear country.

Why Bear Proofing is Important

There are an estimated 16,000 black bears in the state of Colorado. Though they are not endangered, it is still important to protect them. When bears get into campsites and learn they can find food around humans, it becomes a risk for everyone. Even though black bears do not typically attack humans, they will still be put down if they start frequenting campsites. It is essential to bear proof your campsite to avoid bear encounters and keep these animals safe.

How to Bear Proof a Campsite

What Needs to Be Bear Proofed

The main objective of bear proofing is to prevent bears from smelling anything near your campsite. Keep in mind that this includes more than just food! Scented hygienical products like toothpaste, mouthwash, sunscreen, bug repellent, hand cream, and deodorant should be included in this group. Don’t forget about anything that might have the scent of food on it, including trash and cooking supplies: food remnants, wrappers, pots and pans, utensils, gum, etc should be included. As you think about everything in your backpack, consider anything scented that you have with you. It all needs to go in a bear bag or food locker.

Methods for Bear Proofing Your Campsite

Now that we’ve discussed what to bear proof, let’s cover how. There are a few methods for keeping bears out of campsites. The easiest would be if your campsite has a bear locker. These metal food storage lockers are impossible for bears to get into, and you’ll often find similar mechanisms for campsite trash receptacles. If these are not available, you will need to hang a bear bag from a tree to keep it out of a bear’s reach.

How to Hang a Bear Bag

Bear bags are a great way to keep odorous and enticing items away from bears. You can get waterproof and odor-proof bags or, at minimum, double bag all your goods. Seal everything in a bag with a string or rope so you can hang it from a tree. Once you choose a tree with a sturdy enough branch, throw the rope over using a stick or something weighted. Then, raise the bear bag and tie the rope off around the tree trunk. Bear bags should be hung at least 12-15 feet in the air and 6-10 feet from the trunk.

100-Yard Campsite Triangle

One of the best ways to protect yourself from a curious bear is with a campsite triangle. First, make sure you see no evidence of bears, from footprints to clawed trees to scat. Next, you will want to designate a campsite that is at least 100 yards from your cooking site and 100 yards from where you hang your bear bag. Cooking smells tend to linger, especially in clothes. This is why it is recommended to cook away from your tent and change clothes after. Also, remember to camp upwind of your cooking site for the same reason.

Do Not Store Food in Your Car

You should never store scented items in your tent. Some campers might think it is better to sleep with their important belongings, but this is very dangerous as bears can easily enter tents. Similarly, do not store food items in a vehicle. Bears have proven that they know how to break windows, open car doors, etc. If they are able to smell something tucked away in your trunk, you are sure to find your car damaged the next morning.

How to Stay Safe Hiking in Bear Country

Some of the best hiking safety tips, like hiking in a group and not after dark, are helpful for hiking in bear country. Hiking in a group is more likely to alert a bear to your presence before you get too close. If you are hiking alone, playing music or singing are good options for alerting wildlife to your presence and giving them time to move away. When camping in bear country, be sure to use a headlamp at night and check your surroundings before leaving the tent.

What to Do if You Encounter a Black Bear

If you spot a black bear while hiking in Colorado, stay calm. Black bears are not likely to attack unless they feel threatened. There are a few things you can do to keep a bear encounter from escalating into an attack. 

Don’t Run or Yell

First, you want to avoid doing anything that would remind a bear of its prey. Do not scream; rather, talk to the bear in a calm voice with low tones. Avoid running away or trying to climb a tree as these will provoke the bear to chase you. Black bears can climb trees, and they can also run faster than humans, so these are not good strategies for de-escalating a bear encounter. If you are hiking with kids, you should pick them up, as a bear might interpret small children as prey.

Evaluate the Scene

One important thing to recognize during a bear encounter is the presence of cubs. If you see a mother bear with cubs, you need to be extra cautious. A mother bear will not hesitate to attack if she perceives her cubs are threatened. The best thing to do is to note the positions of all the bears and avoid stepping between the mother and her cubs.

Back Up Slowly

If the bear is to the side of your trail, you may be able to continue your hike by walking slowly. Never walk in the direction of the bear; walk sideways or backward so it does not feel threatened. If your only option is to backtrack, then do so and wait for the bear to leave. Always make sure the bear has ample space and an exit route away from your position.

Escape to Safety

If a black bear enters your campsite, get into your car and lock the doors. Hiding in a tent is not suggested, as bears can get into tents if motivated to do so. The final resort for protection against attacks is bear spray. Check local regulations of your hiking or camping sight to see if it is permitted. If so, carry the bear spray on the outside of your backpack so it is always easily accessible.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know these tips for hiking and camping in bear country, you will be both safer and more able to protect the local bear population. Bear proofing a campsite might seem like a lot of work, but it is often required by park regulations, and it is important for everyone’s safety. Kids can enjoy the challenge of hanging the bear bag, and everyone can rest easy knowing they aren’t attracting wildlife to the tent.