As a day hiker you are different than overnight backpackers in many ways. Some are obvious – your pack is smaller and lighter for example. Or that you get to sleep in a real bed every night! Some are less noticeable – you never find yourself carrying trash for multiple days. Or that you can wear fresh socks every trail day. As day hikers we feel we should:
- Hit the trail ready for whatever comes. Bring the “Ten Essentials” in our packs for example so WE aren’t the ones who need to be rescued.
- Use the Far Out app to track our hike and to help us stay on the trail.
- Carry a Garmin InReach Mini (get one here and we get a small referral fee from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FErwRC) so we can get help for ourselves, or others as needed. (Happily, haven’t used it yet!)
- Have enough extra food and water to share with any through hikers who may need it. Also offer first aid to other hikers, with good supplies on hand.
- Be friendly to other hikers but also respectful that not everyone is in the mood to chat or to make a new friend.
- Step aside for faster hikers, bikes when practical, and always for horses.
- Look for the simple joys, moments and views offered by every mile of trail, also enjoying how the same mile of trail is a different experience going the other direction. This may be true due to time of day, lighting, angles of views, a new friend we are hiking it with, or any number of other things.
Day Hiking the Colorado Trail 