OWJ HIKING RATINGS

Each hiker needs to know their physical limitation before adventuring out on the trail.  You need to count the cost, knowing the hike Rating, Mileage, Elevation Gain, Hike time, Weather and Gear you will need to bring.  

Easiest hiking, great for beginners and KIDS.

More challenging, at your own pace hiking.

Longer, steeper hikes.  No kids please.

Die Hard hikers.  No beginners hikers.

At you own pace hiking allows everyone to hike at their own speed.  It's too hard for slow hikers to hike fast, and fast hikers to hike slow.

Newbies hikers may require more breaks to rest, while Intermediate hikers will hike faster with less breaks.

If you find yourself alone and can't keep up with the group, it might be wise to invite a friend to drive together and hike at your own pace.

OWJ HIKING is open to single and married adults.  Teens and children are welcome to attend on our easier hikes if you agree to supervise them.

NO SMOKING on our hikes.

DOGS are not allowed in Watershed Areas and some trails in National Parks.  Odd days in Millcreek Canyon are off leash on the trails.  Always bring food, water and cleanup bags for your dogs.

KIDS three years old are able to do a Newbies hike, while older kids and teens enjoy a Moderate hike.

RATINGS are based on hiking maps, mileage, elevation gain, hike time, rugged trails, and hikers you might find hiking on that trail.

OWJ HIKING GEAR

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Every dayhiker needs to know what to pack and how much weight they are able to carry.  From high mountains, deserts and river walks your needs will vary.  All four seasons require different gear too.  You need to make your own list of things to bring and not rely on someone's 10 essential list.

List of common items to bring:

Hiking poles

Water, electrolyte drinks and gummies

Water bottles, Camelback, or water filter?

Energy snacks or salty foods?

Sack Lunch and thermos 

Sunscreen ~ SPF 30 to 100 & chapstick

Sunglasses

Hat for shade in the sun, knit hat for night

Gloves if your hands get cold

Bug Spray

Camera and Cell phone

Ziplock bag with toilet paper & trowel

Waterproof bandaids, wraps & medicine

Jacket 

Wear layers and wick dry clothing

In deserts, wear long sleeves and long pants

Hiking socks

Hiking shoes with good traction

Water shoes for walking in rivers

Pocket knife & matches

Online or paper map

Blow up cushion for sitting on the ground

Cooling towel for desert hikes

Trash sack ~ pack out all your garbage

America The Beautiful Pass & credit card

Remember this is not a perfect list of things to bring.  

Also, it is good to leave extra water & snacks in your vehicle when you return from your hike.  Some hikers even have a small cooler to keep your soft drinks cold.  Some hikers bring an extra pair of shoes to wear in their vehicles.

OWJ HIKING MEMBERSHIP

Open to all SINGLE and MARRIED ADULTS 

who enjoy hiking together with a group.

Your KIDS and TEENS may attend easier activities if you watch, supervise and are responsible for their safety, search and rescue, and medical emergencies.

Outdoors With Jesus is an informal, non-commercial, non-profit group, networking hikers in Northern Utah.  We're not a political group, not a singles group and not an outfitter.  Everyone is allowed to hike at their own pace. 

  

Yearly MEMBERS are adults who sign our annual release/waiver, participating on a hike or activity.  Non members are welcome to receive our FREE email,

OWJ HIKING NEWS, with upcoming activities and Community Happenings.

 

RELEASE/WAIVER must be signed once a year.  

You are responsible for your own insurance coverage and medical emergencies. To keep this a free club, we do not provide insurance coverage.  It is up to you to know your own physical limitations.  You need to learn, obey park and forest rules and watershed regulations.

FRIENDLY DOGS are welcome on our Dog hikes, 

but not allowed in protected Watershed areas in our canyons.  Please bring clean up bags, 6' leash, food, treats and water.

NO SMOKING on our hikes.

PLEASE STAY HOME if you are feeling sick or physically exhausted.  It's important to know your own limitations.

OWJ CARPOOLING

CARPOOLING reduces overcrowding at trailheads, saves gas, and reduces pollution.

• Please arrive at MEET TIME, so you can use restrooms, stretch, arrange carpooling, put sunscreen on, and spray bug spray.  
• Drivers, including the Hike Boss have the right to choose passengers.
• Hike Boss is not your Uber driver and may choose his own friends to ride with him.
• Drivers shouldn't always ask for rides, but offer to drive others.
• Drivers need to be alert and not drowsy from lack of sleep, medications or alcohol.
• Drivers need to inform passengers if they intend to leave early or stay later, such as eating out or go fishing after the hike.
• Riders should help out with gas, and recreation fees or should take turns driving.
• Riders need to return at the same time the driver heads down the trail to their car.  If you want to stay longer in the mountains, please drive your own car.
• If you wish to return in another car, make sure you first have a conversation with the driver you came with.
• Riders please do not spray sunscreen, perfume or bug spray inside the vehicle. 
• Passengers may bring a clean pair of shoes, instead of wearing their muddy or wet shoes in another person's car.  If you get wet on a hike, bring a towel to sit on. 
• LATE COMERS may catch us on the trail.  
• SLOW HIKERS, unable to hike with the group, we recommend that you invite a friend to carpool, hike, rest, and return together when you reached your limit. 
• DOG OWNERS may want to drive there own vehicles.  Please bring water, food and clean up bags for your pets.  Dogs are not allowed in protected Watershed Areas.
• If you live outside Salt Lake Valley, please let us know you are coming so we can inform you of changes and cancellations.  
• Adults must sign our yearly release/waiver.
• We're not an outfitter and can't promise you carpooling; but a network of hikers in Northern Utah. 
• CARPOOLING at public Park-n-Ride lots.  RSVP required for our meeting place at private locations.