Day Hiking for Beginners…..Top 7 Things I Wish I had Known Before I Started Hiking

Mount Yonah, GA 2020

I thought we would lighten the mood a bit with this post and talk about one of my greatest passions, hiking. Sadly, it wasn’t something I discovered until approximately four years ago. The wishful thinker in me of course, wishes I could go back in time and discover hiking sooner so that I could have already accomplished much more (before my body was broken and I got old(er) but, as I have mentioned before, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I know I discovered my love for hiking at a time when I needed it so that it could carry me through my ‘dreaded’ Middle Ages and long after, God willing.

One of my first experiences with hiking mountains was during our 2020 trip to Georgia. On the last day of our trip, we decided to stop on our way out of town for what I thought would be a “quick hike.” Mount Yonah was the first mountain I ever climbed. Not realizing what I was in for that day, we set off on that quick hike, with no backpack, no water, and no hiking boots. I had actually been wearing a newly purchased pair of cowboy boots, just because they were cute and I needed to break them in. Hiking a mountain was certainly not the way to do that, especially considering Yonah was a moderate hike. Hikes typically have three ratings, easy, moderate, and strenuous but we will talk more about those later on in this post.

Yonah Mountain is located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, which is situated between the cities of Cleveland and Helen, Georgia. Yonah’s trail is a 4.1-mile out-and-back hike that typically takes about 3 hours to complete. Total elevation for this breathtaking view: 3,166’.

Although I am by no means an expert when it comes to hiking just yet, there are some things I certainly wished I had known before I jumped head-first in to my Appalachian Trail life goal. Every time I hike, I learn something new, whether it be about hiking or about myself.

Here are some of those things, in no particular order (except numero uno), as they are all important to know and one may strike a chord with you more than another…..

#7 - Leave No Trace

This saying is something you will see A LOT after you begin hiking. We are visiting Mother Nature and it is up to us to be respectful of all she has to offer as well as our responsibility to protect the land upon which we hike. In order to preserve our natural habitats, hikers are called to action by following the principles of Leave No Trace.

There are seven basic principles of “Leave No Trace” are listed below:

• Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Dispose of Waste Properly

• Leave What You Find

• Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Respect Wildlife

• Be Considerate of Others

Every hiker should know and respect these principles. We will save a deeper dive into what each one means in a later post. However, let me just say this, nothing is more frustrating than taking an afternoon hike, soaking up the sun, the sounds, and nature before coming across discarded beer cans, empty water bottles, or plastic food wrappers. Probably even more frustrating than that is the pet owners that bring their pooches along for the hike and even bring the bags to clean up after them but then they chuck the bag on the side of the trail where it lays forgotten. I encountered this many times this past winter in Georgia. Is it too much to ask that if you brought it with you (or your pet makes a deposit along the way), you bring it back out when you go?

If we want to continue to enjoy the great outdoors, and our children after us and their children after them, it is imperative that we clean up after ourselves and preserve the natural beauty we have been so fortunate enough to enjoy.

#6 - Start easy

When you are just beginning your hiking adventure, start easy. I cannot stress this enough. I’ve learned through the years that if folks start something new but do the difficult part first or start at the highest level because they are so gung-ho, they tend to give up more quickly.

Remember those ratings we talked about earlier? Here is a breakdown of what each rating type means: Easy hikes refer to those that have little to no elevation gain (or loss) and are not longer than 10 miles. Next is the moderate hike. These hikes are that don’t have any steep climbs or descents but could have short, steep grades or long, gradual ascents. I have done many moderate hikes although there were several that I felt might have classified as strenuous. That could just be my out-of-shape self-talking. Last, but certainly not least is the strenuous hike. This classification is reserved for those hikes that are steep and oftentimes long.

#5 - Research the trail

Ironically, one of the most critical aspects of researching a trail is knowing where to start your hike. Where is the trailhead located? How do you get there? Is it open or closed? Clearly, I say this because I have relied on Google (who is not always your friend) and was taken offroad, down a very bumpy and sludge-like trail that did NOT lead to the actual trailhead show on Google. On another occasion, it took me down a road that was closed so we were required to reroute but the detour not only added 30 minutes to our trip, we struggled to find signal because we were deep in the mountains at that point.

Another thing to consider is deciding on what time of day to start your hike. If you start too late you may not be able to finish it or reach the top of that mountain before the sun sets. I’ve been on hikes that were not for the faint of heart and I started trekking up one particularly ‘strenuous’ mountain relatively early yet still worried that I wouldn’t make it up and back down before the sunset. If you only have the essentials or a day pack, this is definitely not something to fool around with. That same strenuous mountain? There were several folks just starting at 3 in the afternoon as we were finishing our descent. You could tell from the clothes they wore, the skittishness with which they hiked, and the questions they asked that they were newbs to the hiking scene. Whenever someone asks me how much longer they have to go to get to the top I am brutally honest. How much longer? “You have a long, and I mean long way to go.” But I take it a step further to include, “And it’s a really hard trail, lots of rock, some ice and it gets slick.” I would want someone to do the same for me so I can make an educated decision on whether or not to continue or save it for another day.

Rocky Path on Blood Mountain, GA

All that to say, check to see what the average time is to complete the trail and add additional time based on your current skill level if needed. What rating is the hike? Easy, Moderate, or Strenuous. What is the weather supposed to be like that day as it may affect the trail conditions? Are there any trail conditions, such as wet/soggy ground, snow or ice, or even a recent controlled burn? All these factors can change the course of your hike for the better or worse so don’t forget to do the research.

#4 - What you wear matters

As you can tell, I learned this lesson the hard way. A new pair of cowboy boots is definitely NOT ideal for any type of extended walking let alone hiking a mountain. Even new hiking boots should be broken in before going on a hike. If not, you could end up with some serious blisters or worse. In addition to that are the clothes you wear, including any extras such as a beanie, rain jacket, gloves or even the socks on your feet. Wool socks are your friend! Anything wool is your best friend, especially in those colder climates.

So be sure to check the weather for the entire day, not just the highs and lows or percentage of rain change. How cold will it be when you are first starting out? Will it still be cold by the time you estimate reaching the midway point of your hike? What will the high be in the afternoon? It is always easiest to layer up for the cold and then shed some clothing as you go. But if you don’t bring the layers, there is nothing to keep you from getting chilled when you reach the top of the summit, discover ice and snow and it’s so cold you can see your breath and feel your fingers getting frostbite.

Ice and snow covered Cowrock Summit, GA, Elevation 3,852 ft

But by the same token, Don’t wear heavy, thick clothing if you are going hiking in the middle of summer and temperatures are going to be in the 90’s, as they almost always are in Florida where I am from. This will lead to a lot of sweat, chafing, and potentially overheating. Wear a hat to protect not only your scalp but also your face and eyes from the scorching sun. Breathable clothing that is moisture-wicking is king. Take the time to find several great hiking pieces for any type of circumstance you may find yourself in and they will reward you in the end.

#3 - Pack your bag and your poles

This seems like it would be a silly thing to add after all the others I have included but if hiking has taught me anything, it’s that you can never be too prepared. Depending on the length of your hike and how long you will be venturing out, a simple daypack might be all you need. Some essential items to include in your daypack for your hike might be as follows:

• Map

• Compass

• Food

• Change of clothing

• Water bottle

• Flashlight/headlamp with extra batteries

• Rain gear/poncho

• Pocketknife

• Matches/lighter

• Candle or fire starter kit

• First-aid kit

• Sunglasses and sunscreen

In addition to your pack, be sure to bring your poles unless you have done the hike before and know without a doubt that they will not be needed. Poles are collapsible and easily stored in your pack or carried if you don’t need them but it’s better to have and not need them than to have left them behind. I have been on several hikes without any over the past several years and then used them religiously this past winter on our trip. And I am so annoyed with myself that I didn’t bring them sooner!! They were worth their weight in gold. More so. Especially when you are on uneven terrain or there are slick or rocky patches along your path. They offer stability to even the most balanced of hikers (which I am not). So always pack the poles!

#2 - It can get pricey

This is probably my least favorite but just as important to know. I won’t spend a lot of time on this tip because it truly speaks for itself. Hiking can get pricing. With boots, gear, clothes, books, research, time, vacations, etc., it can quickly add up. Not gonna lie, I did get a little more gung-ho than usual on our last trip north and bought a bunch of gear to include a day pack and extended trip backpack, new clothes, camping gear, a tent, and more. Think I even threw a hatchet in there. The hope is to go back a little later this year and spend a few days camping out (which I have yet to do) and getting some extended hiking trips under my belt. Suffice it to say, it was an expensive trip to the store but one that will hopefully pay off for years to come.

#1 - No one tells you how much you’ll love it

This one was reserved for the number 1 spot because, to me, it is the most important…… No one tells you how much you will love hiking. I’ve been outside many times for a walk or a run or just to relax in the sun but hiking is on a whole different spectrum. It pushes the boundaries you never knew you had.

Hiking has taught me more things than I ever thought possible. Love, laughter, challenge, camaraderie, endurance, strength, and patience, so much patience, just to name a few. It has taught me that I am capable of so much more than I ever realized and that I have the strength to get through anything if I put my mind to it. They say your mind gives up long before your legs do and I wholeheartedly agree. There have been many times I have wanted to give up, to just quit because the mountain top seemed so far away yet I stop, breathe deep, and look back at how far I have come and know that I can make it if I just persevere.

Can you see the parallels between hiking and my mental health journey? I know I sure can. There are so many times it would have just been easier to give up, call it quits on life and living but then you stop and take that deep breath and look back at how far you’ve come and all you have endured. It gives you hope that no matter how hard or rocky the path is, you WILL get through it.

That’s what hiking has done for me.

Having fun AND hiking in Rainbow Springs, NC. What could be better?

Let’s go hiking!

These are just a few of the important things I learned along the way. Hopefully, they help or at the very least, inspire you to give hiking a try. There is nothing more challenging, yet rewarding than spending time outdoors, exploring hidden wonders, going places you never thought you’d go, and getting to know yourself a little better in the process.

Get outside, go explore, hike somewhere you’ve never been, and let us know how it went. Where did you go? What time of day was it? How was the weather? What did you see? Did you learn anything along the way? What was your favorite part? Take plenty of pictures (dead trees are my favorite) and share some with me. I look forward to seeing where you’ve been!