Here are four items that they insist hikers should bring to stay safe:

1)    Headlamps – Even short day hikes should have illumination. Darkness falls quickly in the woods, and because there is no surrounding light, it’s a darkness that can be pitch black and disorienting. It also helps people to find lost hikers if they can see a light.

2)    Water – There usually are no concession stands on the trail, so make sure to bring along enough water to last. The human body needs a quart every two hours for proper hydration, and because hikers engage in strenuous activity, more is better.

3)    Food – Hiking burns a lot of calories, and it’s wise to replenish them to have the energy to get there and back. Each member of a hiking group should carry water and food in case of separation.

4)    Make a plan – If someone becomes lost, it’s best to have a pre-planned area where everyone will meet at the end of the day. It’s also wise to know when sundown occurs and plan how long it will take to return to a safe area before it gets dark.

Other Safety Tips

It’s wise for hikers to know their personal limits and to pay attention to how they are feeling. Hiking until exhaustion is a bad plan because safe hiking means being able to get there and back.

Yosemite breaks down hiking into an acronym for Hike Safe. It’s a great guide to maximizing a journey into the woods and returning without incident.