Backpacking Trails
Now comes the fun part - exploring the backpacking trails. By now you should know where your trailhead is, and be all packed and ready. If you are hiking in an area with bears, before saying goodbye to your car for a few days, do one last look-through to make sure there is nothing in there that has a smell. Anything that does should be removed from it. If there are bear lockers, you can put stuff in there, if not, throw it away. I am not kidding here. Bears will break into your car if they think there is something edible inside. And explaining to your insurance carrier how the windows got broken and the upholstery mauled may prove to be a bit difficult.
In most national parks, the trailhead will be marked with a marker, with the number of miles to a particular destination. In some cases, the parking area may serve multiple trailheads, so be sure you know where you are going. You may want to take a few minutes to stretch a bit before putting your pack on. Your legs and back will thank you later if you do. If you are traveling with others, you can check each others packs to make sure everything is closed and all the straps are pulled tight. And as you’re getting out on the trail, don’t forget to bring your car key, otherwise you may be the one breaking into your car when you get back.
This is, in my opinion, the most exciting part of the trip. Stepping out onto the backpacking trails, especially if it is one you have never been on it before, brings a sense of excitement with the anticipation of seeing new things. But try not to push yourself too hard at first. I know you will probably be anxious to get out there, but try to set a pace that is sustainable. In fact, it is a good idea to take it slow the first mile or so to let your muscles get warmed up. You may be doing some adjustments of pack and clothing during that time to get everything situated comfortably anyway. The scenery is not going anywhere, so there is no rush, really. And backpacking, despite its difficulty, should actually be relaxing. So enjoy where you are, wherever you are.
Most backpacking trails, especially those well-maintained in national parks, should be pretty easy to follow. They are usually pretty visible through the underbrush. In rocky areas, it may be a little more tricky, there may or may not be a visible trail. Trail markers can help guide your way. In these rockier areas, watch for cairns: a pile of three or four stones stacked on top of each other. These often mark the way. I’ve even been on a trip in Desolation Wilderness where the rocks were spray painted with arrows to show you where to go. There are also often trail markers on trees; these are marker plates nailed to the tree or diamond-shaped carvings in the bark. Usually they are just above head level, but in areas of heavy snow, they can be as high as eight or ten feet above the ground. If you are hiking in the winter on top of that snow in snowshoes, look low as they may be just above the snowline. Often there are small side trails that branch off from the main trail, which may or may not be marked with a sign. If they do not go to your destination, stay on your main trail—unless you have the time for a little exploring. This is why it is a good idea to have the map of your route, so you know which direction to go if you come across a fork in the road. Sometimes a tree branch, landslide, or other obstruction will block part of the trail. Though the backpacking trails are usually well-maintained, the rangers can’t always get to every roadblock in a timely manner, especially if it is several miles into the heart of the backcountry. You may be able to step over or scoot under a large branch, but in some cases, you will just have to go around.
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