Hiking Using GPS Device or Maps

Getting out and hiking can be a really fun activity that allows you to work on your endurance. You get to see some really incredible scenic views and enjoy the outdoors while you are exploring. However, if you hike for any length at all, you will quickly realize how important it is to know where you are going. If you are not hiking a trail that is well labeled, you need to have your own navigation device at your fingertips. Since the invention of GPS devices, hiking enthusiasts have debated whether maps or hiking GPS devices are better guides. While a map might be lightweight and help guide you along any trail, a GPS device offers features that can make your hike safer and more enjoyable.

Here are a few reasons why you might want to pick up a GPS device for your next hike and retire your old map:

Better Safety

Safety should always be the main concern when you set out on a hike. If you get lost you could be in a great deal of danger. This means that you need to take every precautionary measure possible to ensure that you do not lose your way during your hike. Getting lost is not just annoying, but it also could put you in danger. Of course it depends whether you're hiking on a very popular hiking trail or somewhere in the complete backcountry of the Rocky Mountains. With a handheld GPS device, you can be assured that you always have access to accurate positioning with a grid reference. This will enable you to know exactly where you are at all times. A map does not offer this kind of feature or luxury.

Plan Your Route

A GPS device also has the ability to make planning your route even easier. Before you even step into the outdoors, you can use your GPS device to assist you during the route planning stage. This means that once you finally reach the time to begin your hike, you can actually enjoy the sights around you instead of having to focus on the map the entire journey. Your handheld GPS device can guide your way easily and you can spend your time concentrating on the scenic views that surround you. The only precautionary measure that you must take is to make sure that your GPS device has enough battery power. You have to ensure that you have enough battery power to last your entire route. On the maps of the hiking GPS you can also plan whether the route is possible for kids and/or dogs for instance.

Recollection Record

Another benefit that GPS devices have over maps is the ability to record waypoint information and keep it stored for future use. With the help of this feature. You have the ability to keep a permanent record of your hiking route for a time in the future when you may want to use it again. You also have the capability of marking sites along the way that you want to remember for the next time that you use this route. Instead of having to draw on a traditional map, you can keep a bunch of useful hiking information stored on your GPS device.

Hiking in the Rockies

Hiking can be a pleasant experience that allows you to take in nature from a different viewpoint and also explore. Hiking in the Rocky Mountain national park is one of the best experiences you can get! However, when you are hiking in the Rockies it is important that you always make safety a priority. It is fine to get swept away by the amazing scenery around you, but you also have to be a bit cautious and careful. You need to plan out your hike and take the necessary precautions to ensure that you return safely.

What Factors Should You Consider?

There are a variety of factors that come into play when you consider your safety when hiking in the Rockies. Not only is weather a main concern, but you also have to be aware of dangerous wildlife and even unstable rocks near the edge of cliffs. Having an enjoyable hike should always be the ultimate goal, but this is only possible if you consider all that can go wrong while you are on your hiking trail. You need to be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Gear
Makes sure all your gear is in perfect condition. Check that a few weeks before your trip is due. In that case you still have enough time to replace your boots (and walk them in), get a new backpack or tent. Find lots of advice, reviews and the best hiking boots for men and women, backpacks, sleeping bags and tents on hikingvalley.com and backpacker.com.

Check the Forecast

The first thing that you should check before you plan your hike in the Rockies is the weather. You need to know what the forecast is predicting. If possible, you should try to coordinate your hike for a day when the weather will cooperate and be agreeable. You should always be prepared for temperatures to become cooler as you work your way up to higher elevations. It is best to dress in layers, so that you can easily add and take off garments as needed.

Tell Someone About Your Hike

It is also a good idea to let a friend or family member know about your hike in the Rockies. You should plan to share with them your itinerary for your hike an estimate of the time that you will return. This means that if you do not contact your friend or family member within a reasonable time of your estimated return, they can get ahold of emergency services to notify them. You want someone to know where you are when you decide to hike the Rockies. This is a safety precaution that is very reasonable. It is also a good idea to always hike with at least one other person. Hiking alone can be very dangerous and is not recommended, especially if you are just starting out.

Start Early

It is also suggested that you begin your hike as early in the day as possible. This will give you more daylight and allow you to make it back before dark. You don’t have to be in a rush when you are hiking, because you want to be able to enjoy the scenic views that are all around the Rockies. If you pace yourself during your hike, you will be sure to have enough energy for the last leg. Hiking is about endurance, so you need to be prepared to push yourself and overcome whatever obstacles get in your way during your hike. 

Dogs

When you're hiking with your dog, please read our other article about hiking with dogs. You should think about some important facts beforehand!

Hiking With a Dog

Hiking can be a fun activity that you can do with your pet. The outdoors is calling your name and it is time that you went exploring with your dog. Your pooch will likely love to hike along the trails with you and take in the nature that is all around. Hiking with your dog might be a relaxing experience that gets you out and about, but there are a few things you need to know before you head for the nearest trails. The next time you trade in your typical walk around the block with your dog for a hike with a scenic view, these are the tips you should follow.

Set Limits and Learn Them

The first thing that you need to consider is your current activity level. If the longest walks for you and your dog consist of only a few laps around the block, you may want to ease into hiking. Before you start some 10 mile hike that will leave you and your pooch stranded, you need to accurately evaluate your activity level. This means that you should ease into hiking far distances slowly and begin with much shorter hikes right off the bat. You and your dog need to be able to hike without having any difficulty or experiencing any pain. Just make sure to begin intensifying your routine walks slowly and build up your endurance and stamina before you set off on a long hike with your dog. See here for the best hiking trails in the US.

Take What You Need Along

The key to keeping yourself and your dog safe on your hike is to take what you need with you. This may seem really straightforward, but you will be surprised to learn how many hikers venture off on trails without the essentials. It is crucial that your dog has up-to-date ID tags that contain all of your contact information. If you somehow get separated from your dog on your hike, you need to know that he will be returned to your care safely. You should also be sure to bring a small first aid kit along just in case you find yourself or your dog with a small cut or wound. Some hiking trails can be a bit dangerous in certain wooded areas.

Hydrate Your Dog

Chances are you will bring a water bottle to quench your thirst during your grueling hike, but you also need to bring along some water and food for your pooch. Your canine companion will need plenty of water during a long hike, so you have to bring along a dish to put it in. You can purchase collapsible bowls that are easy to carry along with you in your back and take up little room. Remember to bring along about 8 ounces of water for every hour of your hike.

Don’t Deviate Too Far Off The Trail

If you want to keep you and your dog safe, you need to be aware of your surroundings and stick to the mapped out trail.

Best Hiking Trail in the US

Hiking is something that many people enjoy. It is not merely walking, but it is more comparable to a journey of endurance that allows you to become more acquainted with nature along the way. You can take in the full beauty of Mother Nature and see sights up close that you have never experienced before. It is also like you get a look at the world from a new viewpoint. There are some hiking trails that simply offer more than others. On the best hiking trails in the US, you have the ability to escape all the distractions and really take a good look at your surroundings. Trying to choose the best hiking trail in the US is pretty difficult, because there are so many that have to be seen to be believed.

Here are a few of the best hiking trails in the US and what you can expect to see on your journey:

Denali National Park

If you had to choose just one hiking trail for the rest of your life, this one might just be the one that you pick. Denali National Park offers rugged and untamed trails that are so unique and almost seem like they have never been touched before. This National Park is not similar to any others. The trails that hikers use are not well marked or cut. This Alaska Park is pretty much trail-less, which is what makes it so much fun to explore. You have to hike through backcountry, which means that you will face a lot of obstacles and challenges along the way. Not only will you get to see some amazing views, but you will also get to push yourself to the limit. The rough nature hiking in Denali National Park is something that every hiking enthusiast has to set out and accomplish at least once.

Mount Whitney

This hiking trail can be found about 3 hours from Los Angeles, but it feels much further once you see how much of an escape from the world it offers. It is the tallest mountain peak and offers a unique hiking experience that simply can’t be duplicated. This trail is pretty rugged and is more than 22 miles long, so it is not ideal for beginners. You better have endurance and experience to help you make it through this hiking trail. The memories and pictures in your mind that can be made during this hike are definitely worth pushing yourself. You can always turn back if you find that Mount Whitney is more than you can handle.

Zion National Park

At this trail, you can see some of the most exquisite cliffs and canyons in the world. This National Park in Utah is widely known for the scenic views that delve deep into the canyons. This trail is incredibly popular with hikers of all levels and has trails for just about anyone.

If you are looking for the perfect hiking trails, these are the ones that you should check out. Make sure you prepare yourself good enough for the trail. Read my tips to prepare yourself! For a multiple days hiking trip you'll have to bring completely other things then a short day hike. Although you should be well prepared during a short day trip as well! You never know what kind of situation you can come in or how quickly the weather can change in the mountains!

A Few Tips On Planning A Weekend Hike Trip

A weekend hike trip can be more fun than docking yourself at a pub or blasting your woofers while driving down an expressway to a downtown bar. Hiking is rejuvenating, it is exciting, the adventure will replenish your energy instead of fatiguing you and you would learn more than you can imagine. No matter how old you are, where you live, how much you earn and who you have living with you, there is always enough opportunity to plan and go hiking. It doesn’t really matter if it is for a weekend or a weeklong vacation.

But, planning such a trip calls for smart thinking. If you haven’t planned a similar adventure before then you need some tips to guide you along (more here). Here is some advice that can help you to have a great weekend, hiking on some of the easiest or some of the toughest trails that you consider accessible from where you live.

• A weekend is a short period. Don’t plan a huge trip and don’t go very far. If you spend hours or perhaps more than half a day traveling, then the whole purpose of a hike trip becomes irrelevant. You should not tire yourself or anyone during the traveling. Pick a place that is close to where you stay. If the place is far enough, then choose to take a train if possible or a bus. Try and avoid driving. It is likely that one person will not be doing all the driving but being in a car for several hours is always taxing. Hence, pick a place that is nearby which would take just a few hours. Else, take a different route or conveyance option which will get you to a far place faster and more conveniently. The bottom line is, travel less and hike more, toil less on traveling and spend more energy and effort on hiking. That is the secret to a great adventure.

• The next tip on planning a good hiking trip for the weekend pertains to the choice of trail. You cannot pick a trail randomly, especially not considering the expertise of the people. You cannot go on a trail that involves rock climbing if you or those traveling with you are not accustomed to or trained in rock climbing. Choose the challenges based on your expertise or abilities and then add some. There should be something new that you have not done but that should not be beyond the possibilities for everyone involved.

• Take the right equipment with you! Even a short weekend away, hiking in the mountains or forests, you need to pack the most essential equipment. If you're sleeping in a tent, you shouldn't forget to make the agreement who packs the tent. How many can sleep in the tent is important as well. Everybody should take a sleeping bag as well. If it's really warm then a thin cotton bag should be sufficient. Next to the tent and sleeping bag, you need to eat. So make sure you bring a camping cooker and food with you. Take a torch with you so you have some light at night. Nowadays almost everybody hikes with a GPS device and if you have one, you should know how to use the navigation maps etc. If you don't have a hiking GPS then you should bring normal maps with you which is smart anyway (also when you have a GPS) because a map will never run out of batteries! Good hiking GPS devices (read more hiking GPS here) are for instance Garmin eTrex, Monterra and Montana and the Magellan eXplorist.

• The selection of people who would go on a weekend hike trip is also very important. You cannot take all your friends. You cannot all be novices or amateurs. There has to be a blend of experience and inexperience, friends and professionals and more importantly, everyone should be on the same page. If you take one unhealthy person or one person who is unwilling to go the distance then your entire group will fall back and all of you will have a very poor experience throughout the trip. Thus, choose your group wisely. If you all are inexperienced, then have a guide or a pro take you through the trail.