This guidebook is by no means a comprehensive resource and it certainly cannot answer every single question you have about your planned hike. But then again, that is the beauty of hiking: the mystery you uncover around every bend in the trail.
Each woman highlighted in this book chose her favorite trail, which means you will find a wide variety of treks. Some hikes are as short as a mile or two, easily accessible for families with small children or hikers looking to get out and stretch their legs. On the other end, some of the featured routes are long hauls of 100 miles that call for planning, navigation, and outdoor experience. This book is a choose your own adventure of hiking fun, but it is your responsibility to choose a trail best suited to your abilities.
Included with each route description are helpful pieces of information such as average hiking time, distance and elevation gain, trails used, and special considerations. Driving directions and GPS coordinates are provided for the trailheads to each hike as well. Finally, a basic map is provided with trails, providing distances and key points along the route. Each hiker is different and I understand that hiking times will vary widely from person to person, so I tried to estimate ballpark timeframes as best as possible.
There are three categories of hikes you will see in this book:
Out-and-Back: This means you will hike to a specific destination and then turn around to retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
Loop: This type of hike begins and ends at the same location with minimal retracing of your steps. If you look at the corresponding map, you will see that your route follows a loop-shaped pattern. In at least one instance, you will see the term “lollipop loop” used to describe a trail. This means you will hike for a distance, then complete a loop before retracing your steps back to the trailhead.
Point-to-Point: This type of hike is a one-way journey, meaning you begin at one trailhead and conclude at another. Frequently, this calls for a car shuttle or another means of transportation to return you from whence you came.
It is difficult to standardize ratings of trail difficulty since it is largely subjective and depends on the individual and her fitness levels. That said, I tried to standardize each hike as best as I could to help prepare for your adventures. In doing so, I used three categorizations:
Easy trails are suitable for any hiker. This includes families with children, the elderly, and anyone who is hoping to learn more about hiking. Elevation gain is minimal and you will encounter very few trail hazards. Navigation is almost nonexistent and you will never have to go off-trail.
Moderate trails are suitable for any hiker who has some experience outdoors and on the trail. You will need an average fitness level to complete a moderate hike and specific sections may still challenge you. Occasional route-finding may be required and you can expect elevation gain to range from 1,000–2000 feet over the course of the trail.
Strenuous trails are the most challenging hikes you will find in this book. These are meant for very experienced outdoorists who have a high level of fitness and confidence in their abilities. The trail may be difficult to find at times and/or route-finding could be required. Off-trail hiking is also a possibility. Sections of a strenuous trail may be very exhausting and you can expect to find more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain on this category of trail.
Most trails in this book are suitable for three types of athletes: hikers, backpackers, or trail runners. In reality, the only difference between the three is that backpackers spend the night on the trail while the other two categories usually opt to return home. Backpackers prefer longer routes to justify camping outside whereas day hikers frequently opt for less distance. You will see all three categories of athlete on these trails, so be sure to smile and wave. After all, you are all out there enjoying Mother Nature.
Various land management agencies utilize permits and fee structures, so you will see this vary from trail to trail. These fees and policies frequently change depending on the political climate and/or trail usage, so it is best to do research before leaving home. Call ahead to the local ranger station to be sure you don’t show up to a trailhead empty-handed and permitless when a fee or permit is required.
And if you know permits are called for yet you don’t have one? Be kind; do not bandit the trail. Sure, it is possible that you will not get caught, but permits are in place for a reason, and it is not because rangers enjoy policing our nation’s trails. Permits frequently regulate the quantity of visitors to help preserve our trails, so follow the rules. This makes the wilderness a safer place for everyone.