Lush green woods and longer days beckon us to explore the outdoors in the summertime. Meadows come alive with flowers and pollinators, streams offer places to dip feet in cool water, and shady forest trails offer some respite from the sun. (Here are some of our favorite “cool” summer hikes!)
However, summer hiking comes with challenges like heat, sunburn, and bugs. Here are 10 ways you can help protect nature and yourself while enjoying time outdoors this season:
Plan ahead for hikes and make sure you pack the right supplies, like plenty of water. (Photo by Peggy Eppig at Wizard Ranch Nature Preserve)
#1
Plan ahead and prepare. Check the forecast so you aren’t caught in a storm by surprise, and have a plan in case of rain, wind, or lightning. Study a trail map before your hike, and print or download it so you can reference it while you’re on the trail. Check an official source (like the Conservancy’s preserve webpages) for any visitor info or closures. Consider starting your hike early while temperatures are cooler. Know your limits and pick a hike appropriate for your fitness and ability levels.
#2
Bring plenty of water and snacks. A general rule of thumb is you should drink 0.5-1 liter of water each hour, and on longer and hotter hikes, you may want to add some electrolytes. Eating salty snacks can also help replenish your electrolytes and keep you feeling your best. Make sure to hydrate and fuel up even before you head out on your hike, too! (Check out this resource from American Hiking Society for more guidance on hiking hydration.)
#3
Wear sun protection and loose, breathable clothing. Light long sleeves and pants can help protect you from sunburn as well as ticks.
#4
Stay on designated trails so you don’t trample plants or damage habitat. Trails are designed to be durable, and stepping off trail can cause erosion. If there’s a puddle on the trail, go through it.
Explore streams gently so you don’t harm wildlife. (Photo by Rachel Haynes at McCalls Ferry Nature Preserve)
#5
Don’t disturb wildlife or alter the landscape. Don’t pick plants. Remember, the streams you are using to cool off are someone else’s home, like aquatic insects, salamanders, frogs, and fish. Please don’t flip, throw, or rearrange rocks on the bottom of the waterway. While it may be fun to build rock dams, they completely alter stream flows and destroy habitat and can even kill aquatic bugs that may be living on the rocks.
#6
Dispose of waste properly. Lancaster Conservancy preserves are pack-it-in, pack-it-out – anything you bring onto the preserve with you should leave with you to be properly disposed of elsewhere. This includes fruit peels and cores and dog poop (which take time to biodegrade and disrupt the local ecosystem relied on by the preserve’s full-time inhabitants).
#7
Keep dogs on leash so they don’t trample plants, bother wildlife like rabbits or snakes, or disturb other hikers and pets.
Keep dogs on leash – it’s safest for plants, wildlife, other visitors, and your dog. (Photo by Peggy Eppig)
#8
Be aware of challenges on the trail and pay attention to your body. Keep in mind that if you go down a hill, you’re probably going to have to go back uphill too. Be aware that stream crossings may have slippery and wobbly rocks. Pennsylvania trails are often rocky and root-y. If at any point you don’t feel comfortable proceeding on a trail, there’s no shame in turning around. When you’re hiking in hot weather, know the symptoms and treatments for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and pay attention for signs of either in yourself or fellow hikers.
#9
Tick check! Use repellents or wear light long sleeves and pants to protect yourself from diseases like Lyme. Another reason to stay on trail – avoiding tall grasses and bushes where ticks like to hide. When you’re done hiking, take a shower and do a tick check.
#10
Be courteous and have fun! Help make sure the outdoors are safe and welcoming for everyone.
Review a full list of rules and regulations for Lancaster Conservancy preserves here. Learn more about how you can help protect our favorite outdoor spaces by leaving no trace here.
Lancaster Conservancy’s efforts to provide Leave No Trace education to the community are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority.