Spring Hiking Tips
In the springtime, it is important to research the trail and be aware of the weather. In the Rocky Mountains, it can rain most afternoons, so it is important to make sure that you are always prepared.
In the spring, the weather can be cooler in the Rocky Mountains and at higher elevations. Afternoon showers is common in throughout the spring and summer. But since it is cooler in the spring, if you’re not prepared for cold weather, you may end up cold and miserable. No one wants that. So being prepared for spring hiking is a must.
I love using the All Trails App to research the trail I am going to hike. This app allows users to leave reviews about their experiences. So during the spring I like to see if anyone has left a comment regarding extra muddy conditions or if the trial is washed out or anything like that. Also, it provides GPS directions for the trail just in case the trail is not very obvious where it goes. I love using this app for year around hiking, but its wonderful fr spring hiking as well!
WHAT TO EXPECT
There are so many things that you need to be prepared for during the spring vs. hiking during the summer. This is especially true in the Rocky Mountains in higher elevations. I live near Durango, CO, which is a mountain town with many trails nearby that rise in elevation. When hiking in spring, you want to beware of quick weather changes and be prepared if it rains or the weather is cooler as you rise in elevation.
Be prepared for weather changes
For Durango, spring weather can be nice and warm during the daytime but cooler in the morning and evenings, with a temperature change from the 70s to the 30s (degrees F). Being aware of the weather as well as the possibility of it being colder when climbing in elevation will help better keep you prepared.
Preparation is key for any hiking trip, but there are specific things that are necessary to be prepared for colder days in the woods. As with many things, these things are subject to personal preference.
Warm layers are a must. Personally, I like to wear shorts or leggings under sweatpants, long socks, a T-shirt under a light long-sleeve shirt, a hoodie, and a hoodie in my day pack. Having both a long sleeve shirt and a hoodie allows me to add or take away layers if necessary.
Afternoon rain showers are always a possibility anywhere in the high country, both spring and summer months. So having proper rain gear is a must. Personally, I have a rain jacket to keep most of my clothes dry and a poncho to keep my pack dry.
Not only weather, but the likelihood that the trails are super wet is also snow melts. Additionally, snow rain off can cause creeks and rivers to swell, causing flooding over the trail.
WHAT TO PACK
10 Essentials
The 10 esentials are the things that you should have with you for every hike, even if you do not use it. It would be better to be prepared than to wish you had something in case of an emergency. The 10 essentials are as follows:
Navigation
Sun Protection
Insulation
Illumination
First-Aid Kit
Fire
Repair Tools
Nutrition
Hydration
Emergency Shelter
When choosing items from the above categories, it is entirely up to you what you choose to pack. Everyone has their own personal preferences, and that is okay as long as you are prepared for any emergency. I wrote this post that goes into detail about the 10 Essentials and what my recommendations are.
How to Choose What to Wear
Choosing what to wear hiking is entirely personal, but I have several suggestions for deciding the best clothing.
Material
The biggest thing to look for when deciding what to wear hiking, any time of year, especially in the summer, is the material that the clothes are made out of. The best material is quick-drying and moisture-wicking. If it rains or you sweat, it’ll dry quickly. If you’re caught in sudden cooler weather in wet clothes, you will be much colder than in dry clothes. My favorite clothing is any activewear brand, as they are made out of synthetic materials that are moisture-wicking and fast drying.
My favorite pants are from Columbia. Even the black colored pants are super flexible and breathable. I never overheat, and if it rains, they dry so fast. The majority of the time, especially in the spring, I like to wear some kind of pants while hiking to protect my legs from the sun as well as from plant life, as I am allergic to many types of plants. I also like to wear leggings, so long as they are a material that dries fast since leggings are skin-tight. If they were to get wet, didn’t dry quickly, I’d get cold if It suddenly got chilly.
As for shirts, I loveeee T-shirts during the spring. I get chilly FAST. I always have a long sleeve shirt on my shirts, and tank tops make me too chilly, and I like to have the option to take off the long sleeve shirt without getting toooooo chilly.
Regarding footwear, waterproof is the best option at all times of the year, especially during the spring. As the snow melts and spring showers, it can become pretty muddy. So having waterproof hiking boots/shoes is super important. I highly recommend having long moisture-wicking socks and an extra pair in your day pack.
Sun Protection
No matter what time of year you go hiking, sun protection is super important. I highly recommend wearing a hat. This will protect your face from the sun. My favorite hats are baseball caps that are made of similar material that activewear is made of. This way, the hat is breathable to allow heat to escape, and any sweat or rain will dry quickly. Also, sunscreen is essential! I don’t care if you don’t get sunburned easily; wear sunscreen!
When it isn’t too hot, having a long sleeve shirt and long pants can be a good option for sun protection. This way, you have less skin showing and less area to remember to apply sunscreen to.
Rain Protection
A poncho or a waterproof rain jacket in the event of a downpour is highly recommended for your day pack, no matter the time of year you’re hiking. This way, your clothes don’t get soaked. Even if your base layers are fast-drying and moisture-wicking, it still takes some time to dry.
SPRING HIKING CONCLUSION
HIKING IS SO GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH; READ THIS POST to read my post regarding all of the health benefits that hiking can provide.
In the springtime, it is important to research the trail and be aware of the weather. In the Rocky Mountains, it can rain most afternoons, so it is important to make sure that you are always prepared.
If you are here and reading this, that means you have an interest in your health and fitness. That is so good; I am so excited for you! Taking care of your body is the best thing you can do for yourself in the present and the long term.
“Do something today that your future self will thank you for”
— unknown
I find that quote so inspiring. Hard work will pay off in the future, but you also have to live in the moment, and I feel like taking care of yourself is doing both. You are doing good for yourself now as well as for your future self.
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