TRAIL ETIQUETTE AND SKILLS
TRAIL ETIQUETTE & SKILLS
While on the trails, please remove round sticks that can cause others to twist an ankle. I have done this for decades, because once while hiking in the North Cascades, I didn’t, and later landed on my ass from that stick.
LEAVE NO TRACE
This idea first surfaced in 1976, but didn’t become one of the USFS idioms, until 1986.
An adage arose after the Leave No Trace idea was first used.
“If YOU can carry it in full, YOU can carry it out empty,”
Another suggestion in this idea, is to clean up after yourself, and others.
AND PLEASE, PLEASE REMEMBER, TIN CANS, ALUMINUM FOIL, PLASTIC AND GLASS, DO NOT BURN. PLEASE CARRY THEM OUT WHEN YOU LEAVE.
PACK IT IN....PACK IT OUT
Please remember....”If you can carry it in full....you can carry it out empty“
If you leave trash or food containers in the mountains, especially around camp, someone else will have to carry them out for you.
Please be considerate of others desire to recreate in a clean environment.
COMING ACROSS AN INJURED PERSON
It is your responsibility to come to the aid of others that are injured along the trail.
In my 65 years of hiking trails, I have abandoned three destinations when I’ve come across injured hikers. And I have been aided by others 4 times myself.
At the very least, do all you can to aid this person.
DON’T BE BOISTEROUS IN NATURE
No one wants to hear you talk on your phone, brag to others, or be boisterous.
And PLEASE do not play music so loud that any other person can hear it.
TRAIL BREAKS
We all get winded or tired while hiking. Please step off the trail, so as not to block or hinder other hikers
YOURS AND OTHERS TRASH
Please do not litter. Your trash becomes others disappointment.
Likewise, other less courteous hikers will ruin a hike for those who follow.
Please pick up others trash. It really will make you feel good.
AND PLEASE REMEMBER, PLASTIC, GLASS, ALUMINUM FOIL, AND TIN CANS DO NOT BURN.
UPHILL-DOWN HILL TRAIL HIKING
Please remember, when you come across other hikers, the up hill hikers have the right of way. Let them pass.
The one exception is to always give the right of way to trail runners.
FOREST SERVICE SIGNS
Please obey all Forest Service signs you find in the mountains.
VANDALISM IN THE MOUNTAINS
When I come across vandalism in the mountains, I first try to clean up, or repair the damage. Then I get mad at the people that caused it.
If I can’t repair it, I will notify the managing agencies of where the damage was done.
SNORING
If you are a snorer, find a spot you can pitch your tent well away from others, so as not to disturb them.
TRAIL REGISTRATION
As you pass by these registration boxes along the trail, please fill out the cards, usually provided. They are used to determine the usage and the funding for projects on this specific trail.
DOGS
If you take your pets on a hike, PLEASE keep them on a leash.
Not only will fellow hikers appreciate you controlling your dog, wildlife will not be stressed by being chased by your dog.
And always have blue bags to carry out your dogs waste.
DO NOT FEED ANY FOREST ANIMALS
By feeding the wildlife, you may disrupt their normal foraging habits.
HUMAN AND DOG WASTE, INCLUDING FEMININE HYGENE PRODUCTS & RUBBERS.
There are a few rules to follow when in nature.
First, and foremost, DO NOT RELIEVE YOURSELF WITHIN 200 FEET OF ANY
trail or water source.
Second, burry your waste at least 6 inches under ground, and if available, cover it with a big rock.
Thirdly, while in some areas, like National Parks, etc., use blue bags to carry you waste. It may be the law.
CAIRNS
Cairns are built by the USFS to show hikers the correct path or route to a destination. By building cairns, you just may throw off less savvy hikers, and cause the trail to become braided.
TRAIL MAINTENANCE
Altho there are clubs and organizations that help maintain our trails, the Forest Service may only be able to care for trails, when catastrophic events happen.
Flip branches, rocks and other debris off the trail. This will aid others and make you feel as if you contributed.
If you feel the need to help our trails, these organizations need your assistance.
spokanemountaineers.org
wta.org
ita.org
I know all these organizations are making our hiking experience more enjoyable.
Join them, and feel the pleasure of helping Mother Nature happy.
FIREWOOD AND OTHER DESTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, DO NOT CHOP DOWN TREES.
It scars the campsites, and ruins others enjoyment.
Scavenging for down wood is acceptable. I’ve spent enough time in the mountains to know, I could find enough to stay warm or cook a meal.
HIKERS, MOUNTAIN BIKERS, EQUESTRIAN
Being a hiker, I always yield to all other trail users.
When encountering horses on the trail, ALWAYS GO UP HILL OFF THE TRAIL AWAYS. Talk softly to the riders as soon as you see them coming towards you.
The horse(s) need time to recognize that you are human, and are not a danger to them.
Mountain bikers, usually are silent, until they are in your face. Please get off the trail safely.
When coming upon other hikers, yield to up hill hikers, groups, and groups with dogs or children.
Courtesy goes a long way in nature.
USE OF HEADLIGHTS IN THE MOUNTAINS
When you come along hikers or around camp at night, or in low light, please aim your headlight away from others.
Night vision is destroyed when white light strikes the eyes.
NOISE IN CAMP
PLEASE, keep your activities around camp to a low volume. Your noise should not be heard outside of your campsite.
Nobody, wants to hear you partying in the mountains.
Some hikers make alpine starts a part of their experience.
I have witnessed people making loud and obnoxious noises at 3 and 4am.
Some campers wake up sleeping partiers, the next morning. Not a wise idea.
If need be, go over politely and ask others to hold down the noise.
I’ve actually gotten up and moved my camp because of others.
PARKING YOUR CARS AND TRUCKS AT TRAILHEADS
Some trailheads are very popular, and can get congested.
Please park your car carefully, so as not to block roadways and parking spots.
Always follow the USFS parking guidelines.
MANAGING AGENCIES
In our Resource drop down menu, is a section on what agencies, manage our public lands.
Please refer to this list to obtain road and trail information, from the agencies.
It’s a drag to drive over to the C.M.W., or up to the American Selkirks, only to find the road closed, or the trail close for what ever reason.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY NOTIFICATION
Always tell a responsible person the following:
Where you are going. Be very specific. Leave a google map of your intended route
When do you expect to return. Call as soon as you get out to stop any rescue measures, if you are overdue.
What to do if you are overdo. Leave specific details for your responsible person to do. Don’t wonder out of the area you described to your responsible person.
Who to call. See Resources, Sheriff first, Managing Agencies, etc.
Why. If you have to, or change your plans, be sure to call your responsible person to let them know of your new plans. By not doing this, you may delay the response of your rescue.
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
Always stay on the trail in sensitive areas.
If the ground is wet, walk elsewhere.
By walking, especially on others tracks, it can cause braiding of the paths. Which in turn will allow others to cause more damage to the area.
Never use short cuts at switchbacks. It erodes the land and causes trail damage, not to mention damaging sensitive plants. Pile up local debris to block any trail cut you come upon.
WASHING DISHES
When washing dishes, DO NOT wash them in a lake or stream.
Instead, boil your water and clean in a corner of your fire pit.
SMOKING
If you smoke, PLEASE be respectful of others and smoke away from people.
Check wind directions to find a proper spot.
Do not throw your butts on the ground, or in the fire pit.
Police them and carry out the filters.
FIRES
If you have a fire in the mountains, please do not leave it unattended.
When you leave an area, make 100% sure the fire is out.
I carry two or more plastic grocery bags to clean up trash, and to use as water buckets.
Once at Stevens Lakes, our trail crew came across a fire that wasn’t even tried to be put out. It was left by a church group being taught about camping.
The instructors failed the course.
WALKING UP STEEP TRAILS OR HILLS
PRESSURE BREATHING
If you find yourself struggling to get up a steep section of your hike, try this.
Breath deeply thru your nose. This causes you lungs to fill from the bottom up.
Then when you exhale, purse your lips, like when you blow out a birthday candle. And slowly blow out your breath.
This breathing exercise allows more oxygen to go to the blood stream.
More oxygen allows your muscles to preform better. After 5-10 minutes you will notice a difference. You can adjust your depth of breathing for lower or higher angle of ascent.
When cross country skiers use this method of breathing, they also feel warmer.
HIKING STEEP TRAILS DOWNHILL
Fellow Spokane Mountaineer, Miles Breneman has taught us to stand up straight, before taking your first step. Then unlock your knees. Slightly bend your knees, and take your first steps. Walking the steep section with your knees slightly bent, will take the pain away from your knee bones.
WATER CONSUMPTION
In ideal cases, you will have all the water you need for your hike. But if you find your water supply getting low, take only very small sips. Swish it around your mouth, before swallowing.
On really hot days, dip your water bottle and holder into a creek. As you walk, the breeze will cool the holder, and keep your water cooler.
WEATHER
It is the responsibility of a hike or outing leader, to know what to expect, weather wise. Then let the outing participants know what to expect, and what measures need to be taken.
By logging onto NOAA, you can learn hour by hour, what to expect. I recently learned that if you go to the small map on the first page, you can tap the map to get a weather report for that spot.
But don’t only go by the words below the weather icons.
Look down the right side of the website for the “Hourly Weather Forecast”
It’s a graph that spells out all the weather conditions in detail.
On the top right of the graph are two buttons. By tapping the buttons, the forecast moves ahead two days, twice.
While on the trails, please remove round sticks that can cause others to twist an ankle. I have done this for decades, because once while hiking in the North Cascades, I didn’t, and later landed on my ass from that stick.
LEAVE NO TRACE
This idea first surfaced in 1976, but didn’t become one of the USFS idioms, until 1986.
An adage arose after the Leave No Trace idea was first used.
“If YOU can carry it in full, YOU can carry it out empty,”
Another suggestion in this idea, is to clean up after yourself, and others.
AND PLEASE, PLEASE REMEMBER, TIN CANS, ALUMINUM FOIL, PLASTIC AND GLASS, DO NOT BURN. PLEASE CARRY THEM OUT WHEN YOU LEAVE.
PACK IT IN....PACK IT OUT
Please remember....”If you can carry it in full....you can carry it out empty“
If you leave trash or food containers in the mountains, especially around camp, someone else will have to carry them out for you.
Please be considerate of others desire to recreate in a clean environment.
COMING ACROSS AN INJURED PERSON
It is your responsibility to come to the aid of others that are injured along the trail.
In my 65 years of hiking trails, I have abandoned three destinations when I’ve come across injured hikers. And I have been aided by others 4 times myself.
At the very least, do all you can to aid this person.
DON’T BE BOISTEROUS IN NATURE
No one wants to hear you talk on your phone, brag to others, or be boisterous.
And PLEASE do not play music so loud that any other person can hear it.
TRAIL BREAKS
We all get winded or tired while hiking. Please step off the trail, so as not to block or hinder other hikers
YOURS AND OTHERS TRASH
Please do not litter. Your trash becomes others disappointment.
Likewise, other less courteous hikers will ruin a hike for those who follow.
Please pick up others trash. It really will make you feel good.
AND PLEASE REMEMBER, PLASTIC, GLASS, ALUMINUM FOIL, AND TIN CANS DO NOT BURN.
UPHILL-DOWN HILL TRAIL HIKING
Please remember, when you come across other hikers, the up hill hikers have the right of way. Let them pass.
The one exception is to always give the right of way to trail runners.
FOREST SERVICE SIGNS
Please obey all Forest Service signs you find in the mountains.
VANDALISM IN THE MOUNTAINS
When I come across vandalism in the mountains, I first try to clean up, or repair the damage. Then I get mad at the people that caused it.
If I can’t repair it, I will notify the managing agencies of where the damage was done.
SNORING
If you are a snorer, find a spot you can pitch your tent well away from others, so as not to disturb them.
TRAIL REGISTRATION
As you pass by these registration boxes along the trail, please fill out the cards, usually provided. They are used to determine the usage and the funding for projects on this specific trail.
DOGS
If you take your pets on a hike, PLEASE keep them on a leash.
Not only will fellow hikers appreciate you controlling your dog, wildlife will not be stressed by being chased by your dog.
And always have blue bags to carry out your dogs waste.
DO NOT FEED ANY FOREST ANIMALS
By feeding the wildlife, you may disrupt their normal foraging habits.
HUMAN AND DOG WASTE, INCLUDING FEMININE HYGENE PRODUCTS & RUBBERS.
There are a few rules to follow when in nature.
First, and foremost, DO NOT RELIEVE YOURSELF WITHIN 200 FEET OF ANY
trail or water source.
Second, burry your waste at least 6 inches under ground, and if available, cover it with a big rock.
Thirdly, while in some areas, like National Parks, etc., use blue bags to carry you waste. It may be the law.
CAIRNS
Cairns are built by the USFS to show hikers the correct path or route to a destination. By building cairns, you just may throw off less savvy hikers, and cause the trail to become braided.
TRAIL MAINTENANCE
Altho there are clubs and organizations that help maintain our trails, the Forest Service may only be able to care for trails, when catastrophic events happen.
Flip branches, rocks and other debris off the trail. This will aid others and make you feel as if you contributed.
If you feel the need to help our trails, these organizations need your assistance.
spokanemountaineers.org
wta.org
ita.org
I know all these organizations are making our hiking experience more enjoyable.
Join them, and feel the pleasure of helping Mother Nature happy.
FIREWOOD AND OTHER DESTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, DO NOT CHOP DOWN TREES.
It scars the campsites, and ruins others enjoyment.
Scavenging for down wood is acceptable. I’ve spent enough time in the mountains to know, I could find enough to stay warm or cook a meal.
HIKERS, MOUNTAIN BIKERS, EQUESTRIAN
Being a hiker, I always yield to all other trail users.
When encountering horses on the trail, ALWAYS GO UP HILL OFF THE TRAIL AWAYS. Talk softly to the riders as soon as you see them coming towards you.
The horse(s) need time to recognize that you are human, and are not a danger to them.
Mountain bikers, usually are silent, until they are in your face. Please get off the trail safely.
When coming upon other hikers, yield to up hill hikers, groups, and groups with dogs or children.
Courtesy goes a long way in nature.
USE OF HEADLIGHTS IN THE MOUNTAINS
When you come along hikers or around camp at night, or in low light, please aim your headlight away from others.
Night vision is destroyed when white light strikes the eyes.
NOISE IN CAMP
PLEASE, keep your activities around camp to a low volume. Your noise should not be heard outside of your campsite.
Nobody, wants to hear you partying in the mountains.
Some hikers make alpine starts a part of their experience.
I have witnessed people making loud and obnoxious noises at 3 and 4am.
Some campers wake up sleeping partiers, the next morning. Not a wise idea.
If need be, go over politely and ask others to hold down the noise.
I’ve actually gotten up and moved my camp because of others.
PARKING YOUR CARS AND TRUCKS AT TRAILHEADS
Some trailheads are very popular, and can get congested.
Please park your car carefully, so as not to block roadways and parking spots.
Always follow the USFS parking guidelines.
MANAGING AGENCIES
In our Resource drop down menu, is a section on what agencies, manage our public lands.
Please refer to this list to obtain road and trail information, from the agencies.
It’s a drag to drive over to the C.M.W., or up to the American Selkirks, only to find the road closed, or the trail close for what ever reason.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY NOTIFICATION
Always tell a responsible person the following:
Where you are going. Be very specific. Leave a google map of your intended route
When do you expect to return. Call as soon as you get out to stop any rescue measures, if you are overdue.
What to do if you are overdo. Leave specific details for your responsible person to do. Don’t wonder out of the area you described to your responsible person.
Who to call. See Resources, Sheriff first, Managing Agencies, etc.
Why. If you have to, or change your plans, be sure to call your responsible person to let them know of your new plans. By not doing this, you may delay the response of your rescue.
TRAIL ETIQUETTE
Always stay on the trail in sensitive areas.
If the ground is wet, walk elsewhere.
By walking, especially on others tracks, it can cause braiding of the paths. Which in turn will allow others to cause more damage to the area.
Never use short cuts at switchbacks. It erodes the land and causes trail damage, not to mention damaging sensitive plants. Pile up local debris to block any trail cut you come upon.
WASHING DISHES
When washing dishes, DO NOT wash them in a lake or stream.
Instead, boil your water and clean in a corner of your fire pit.
SMOKING
If you smoke, PLEASE be respectful of others and smoke away from people.
Check wind directions to find a proper spot.
Do not throw your butts on the ground, or in the fire pit.
Police them and carry out the filters.
FIRES
If you have a fire in the mountains, please do not leave it unattended.
When you leave an area, make 100% sure the fire is out.
I carry two or more plastic grocery bags to clean up trash, and to use as water buckets.
Once at Stevens Lakes, our trail crew came across a fire that wasn’t even tried to be put out. It was left by a church group being taught about camping.
The instructors failed the course.
WALKING UP STEEP TRAILS OR HILLS
PRESSURE BREATHING
If you find yourself struggling to get up a steep section of your hike, try this.
Breath deeply thru your nose. This causes you lungs to fill from the bottom up.
Then when you exhale, purse your lips, like when you blow out a birthday candle. And slowly blow out your breath.
This breathing exercise allows more oxygen to go to the blood stream.
More oxygen allows your muscles to preform better. After 5-10 minutes you will notice a difference. You can adjust your depth of breathing for lower or higher angle of ascent.
When cross country skiers use this method of breathing, they also feel warmer.
HIKING STEEP TRAILS DOWNHILL
Fellow Spokane Mountaineer, Miles Breneman has taught us to stand up straight, before taking your first step. Then unlock your knees. Slightly bend your knees, and take your first steps. Walking the steep section with your knees slightly bent, will take the pain away from your knee bones.
WATER CONSUMPTION
In ideal cases, you will have all the water you need for your hike. But if you find your water supply getting low, take only very small sips. Swish it around your mouth, before swallowing.
On really hot days, dip your water bottle and holder into a creek. As you walk, the breeze will cool the holder, and keep your water cooler.
WEATHER
It is the responsibility of a hike or outing leader, to know what to expect, weather wise. Then let the outing participants know what to expect, and what measures need to be taken.
By logging onto NOAA, you can learn hour by hour, what to expect. I recently learned that if you go to the small map on the first page, you can tap the map to get a weather report for that spot.
But don’t only go by the words below the weather icons.
Look down the right side of the website for the “Hourly Weather Forecast”
It’s a graph that spells out all the weather conditions in detail.
On the top right of the graph are two buttons. By tapping the buttons, the forecast moves ahead two days, twice.
USE YOUR PHONE FOR NAVIGATION
When you come to trail intersections, junctions, Y’s, etc.,
Take an image of what the junction looks like when you are on the return hike.
By doing this, you will be assured not to take a wrong turn.
When hiking in the Washington Scablands, the terrain is way different then in the mountains. Terrain features look the same and usually strange.
Take images of high mesas, creek flows, valleys, etc.
If it you find yourself misplaced, refer to the images to gain a perspective of where you are in relation to the feature you shot.
I also shoot images on Google Earth, to plot my route. It allows me to see where I should go, and how to follow my route back.
While on Google Earth you can use two fingers to make the view horizontal, instead of vertical.
That wise, you can see, for instance, the undulation of a ridge line you will be walking.
When you come to trail intersections, junctions, Y’s, etc.,
Take an image of what the junction looks like when you are on the return hike.
By doing this, you will be assured not to take a wrong turn.
When hiking in the Washington Scablands, the terrain is way different then in the mountains. Terrain features look the same and usually strange.
Take images of high mesas, creek flows, valleys, etc.
If it you find yourself misplaced, refer to the images to gain a perspective of where you are in relation to the feature you shot.
I also shoot images on Google Earth, to plot my route. It allows me to see where I should go, and how to follow my route back.
While on Google Earth you can use two fingers to make the view horizontal, instead of vertical.
That wise, you can see, for instance, the undulation of a ridge line you will be walking.
Vertical Image of Parker Peak
