Puget Sound Hiking Tips for Summer

7/5/2019

Puget Sound Hiking Tips for Summer

Summer is upon us, and the days are long in the Puget Sound area. That means it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy a day hike. Whether you want to explore the beaches, valleys, or forests, the Puget Sound has plenty of beauty to offer.

But before you hit the trailhead, it’s important to plan ahead. Here are some tips to ensure your day hike is a safe, happy success.

Plan Out Your Hike

It’s important to plan out your day hike, and to familiarize yourself with the trail before you set out. Some trails aren’t accessible year-round. So if you go too early in the season (June-July), you might encounter a snow packed trail.

It’s also important to know how long the trail will take you, and the difficulty of terrain. There are a number of day hiking books available for the Puget Sound area, but you can also check out the Washington Trails Association (WTA) website. Along with trails directions, mileage, and difficulty, you can also read any trail reports from recent hikers. Sometimes you’ll find information on current trail conditions or hazards.

It’s also a good idea to let a friend or family member know where you’re going. You can simply, send them a link to the trail on WTA, and let them know when you plan to be back. Even if you have a hiking buddy with you, which is highly recommended, it’s still a good idea to tell someone else your itinerary.

Dress Appropriately for the Weather

As the weather warms up, it’s often tempting to dawn a t-shirt, and shorts and jet off to the trailhead. But you should always bring some layers of clothes, no matter how warm it is at your home. The temperature can drop by several degrees as you increase altitude, and the conditions can quickly change. If you’re dressed for sun, and the rain moves in, you need to be prepared. Here are few important layers to remember:

Long sleeve synthetic shirt (not cotton)
Wind breaker
Raincoat or poncho
Warm lightweight jacket

Conversely, the sun and heat can also pose problems as well. Here are a few hiking accessories you’ll want to remember:

Sunglasses
Brimmed Hat (to block the sun)
Sunscreen

When hiking in the outdoors, there are also a number of general clothing recommendations. First of all, cotton is discouraged. If it gets wet with rain or sweat, cotton does not dry quickly, which means it remains cold. Instead, it’s recommended to wear a quick drying material. REI and other athletic outfitters carry active wear shirts and clothing that will keep you comfortable on the trail.

Also, you need to think about your feet. You’ll want boots or trail shoes with good tread to ensure secure footing. Closed toe shoes will keep your feet safe from cuts and scuffs, and if it’s wet conditions, consider a waterproof boot.

Bring Enough Food and Water

It’s important to be well hydrated when you’re hiking, especially if you are hiking in warm weather. To make sure you’re well hydrated before hiking, drink about 4 cups of water. Then, plan to drink about 2 cups of water every hour that you’re hiking. If it’s hot, you’ll want to drink closer to 4 cups per hour. For most hikes under 10 miles, a standard 32 fluid ounce water bottle will be enough.

You’ll also want to pack some extra snacks to keep your energy up. For hiking, the ideal snack is light and nutrient dense. The goals is to carry little weight, while optimizing your food for calories and nutrition. Here are a few great options for hiking snacks:

Fruit – fresh fruit or dried fruit can provide a quick source of carbohydrates.
Nuts – nuts, like almonds, are calorie-dense, and provide a healthy source of fats. This makes them a great light weight snack for day hikes. They also are a good source of protein.
Energy and Protein Bars – bars can be a convenient quick food choice for hiking. Just make sure to examine the ingredient list to minimize excess sugar and food additives.

Start Out Slowly

As the season thaws, your motivation may soar as the mountains call. But, remember to start slowly. If you haven’t been out for a hike recently, or ever, start with a few easy to moderate day hikes to allow your body to adjust. After the first few hikes, you might be surprised by how tired or sore your legs are. But your body will adjust as you hike more, allowing you to take on more challenging hikes as you become more comfortable on the trail.

If you’re new to hiking, try setting a goal of hiking for 20-30 minutes. Then as you become more comfortable you can try progressively adding 10-15 minutes.

Also, remember to hike at your own pace. On the trail, you might encounter people going faster or slower than you. Don’t worry about them. If you push yourself too hard you might hurt yourself or experience less enjoyment. Hike your own hike, at your own pace, and remember to admire the scenery.

Leave No Trace

The outdoor community has a principle called “leave no trace”, which is focused on preserving natural areas and maintaining their beauty for every person who walks on the trail after you. If someone walks on the trail 5 minutes after you, or 5 years after you, they shouldn’t be able to recognize a trace that you’ve been there.

This doesn’t mean you need to hide your footprints. Instead, just be conscious of how your actions impact the area you are hiking. If you have garbage from snacks with you, pack it out. Stay on designated trails and stay out of preserved areas.

Many of the public spaces we have for hiking are sensitive habitats. They also get a lot of guests. So, by practicing the leave no trace principle, you can help preserve these habitats for future guests to enjoy just like you.

Recommended Hiking Areas for Beginners

The Puget Sound has a variety of hiking trails and parks, that range from easy to extreme difficulty. If you are new to hiking, or just looking for some beautiful nearby areas to hike, here are some excellent options.

For more nearby hiking trails, see WTA’s Go Outside Map.

~ Jon, Dietetic Intern & Hiking Enthusiast
BS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology; MS Candidate for Fall 2019
ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist

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