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.
