Spring Hiking Tips

I love hiking. I moved from Denver, CO to Durango, CO, a small mountain town about six hours southwest of Denver. I loved all of the many opportunities that are available for hiking. There are so many different hiking trails in town. Even access to a 16-mile trail right outside my home. In addition, there are so many nearby towns with hiking trails just a short drive away. I love having the opportunity to go hiking as often as we possibly can.

Springtime in Colorado can be unpredictable. It could be really chilly in the mornings and super warm during the day. It may rain often. Every year is different in the amount of precipitation that we may come across. In addition, since it snows during the winter and many hiking trails are higher in elevation, there may still be snow along the trails. The amount of snow may be due to how much it snowed that winter and how warm spring has been to melt the snow. It may have melted in town, but it may not have melted yet at a higher elevation. As the snow melts, it may make the trails super muddy as well. Here are my tips for being prepared for hiking during the springtime.

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Hiking Basics

When hiking, it is always important to be prepared. I absolutely love hiking and being outdoors. So a couple of general hiking tips.

1. Know where you’re going.

   This is especially important whether you’re hiking alone or with someone else. I get really anxious if I do not research the trail I am going to. I love using the AllTrails app so that I can follow the trail as I go. This app shows me what type of elevation changes I’ll run into and the current mileage as I travel the trail. Also, let someone know where you’re going and how long you plan on being gone; this way, in the unlikely event that something happens and you do not return when you plan, this person can help you get home safely.

2. Carry the necessities.

   Having a day pack with all of your necessities is highly recommended. The necessities may vary depending on the trail, weather, and other factors. See the Necessities section below for my recommendations, specific to the springtime.

3. Know the weather forecast

   Knowing what the weather will be like will always be important to know how to be prepared and what to wear. Read my previous blog post about Spring Hiking Clothes. I always recommend being prepared for rain.

Necessities

Having a backpack is super important when hiking. It is always recommended to have plenty of water, snacks, and the 10 essentials in your day pack. In addition, having the proper clothing is so important. I recommend having clothing that is fast drying and moisture-wicking.

Spring Hiking Tips

Okay, now onto the tips I have for hiking during the spring. Springtime can be an excellent time to go hiking during the afternoon. It still gets warm during the day, but it still doesn’t get too hot. So what I like to do is head out around 10 am or so and bring a lunch to take a break a few hours in.

It is always important to be prepared for rain, but more so especially during the spring. Be prepared for mud and potentially snowy conditions on the trail since snow melts and creates runoff streams that could run over the trail. I’ve seen trails that are completely washed away from snow runoff streams. In some areas, the forest service will create an alternate route to get past these streams if they are unpassable. Checking reviews on apps such as AllTrails can give you an idea of what trail conditions may be based on other user’s reviews.

I know that most of these tips are basic hiking tips, but thinking about the weather and potential mud/snowmelt can make all the difference when planning a springtime hiking trip. By taking advantage of the cooler afternoons (as compared to summer temps), being prepared for rainy weather, as well as any muddy or extra wet conditions on the trail, springtime can be a wonderful time to go for a hike!

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