The Great Smoky Mountains Area Retreat: Hiking Tips

Many people enjoy hiking in the great outdoors and becoming as one with nature along the way.  We are fortunate that there have been so many people preserving the rich heritage of the outdoors and nature we now enjoy.  Their dedication and efforts have given us fantastic hiking opportunities in local, state and national park systems. 

Here are a few tips to help you venture into the crisp, clean outdoor air and enjoy some of those dirt trails.

• Be sure you know the area you will be going into.  Many states such as California, Colorado, or Wyoming have exceptional hiking spots.  The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee is also a wonderful retreat for hiking adventures.  You can gather information about these hiking spots so easily from the internet, or a map from the park office, trailhead or visitor center of the park you choose.  Don’t forget to check things out before you head out so you know what to expect.
• Always be prepared for the conditions you will be facing.  There is nothing worse than traveling to a hiking spot and miss the hike because of the weather conditions of raining or freezing of which you were not prepared for in advance.  Snow may have shut the trail down or it could be flooded out.  It is better to find out weather conditions and such before you hit the spot than to find out after the fact.  You will also need to know if there are plants or animals to watch out for at your hiking destination.  You do not want to run into Smoky the Bear in the Great Smoky Mountains unexpectedly.  The original Smoky Bear may not be too friendly.   Poison ivy is not fun either.
• Wear the appropriate clothing that fits the terrain and hike conditions.  Try to stay away from cotton.  Look for synthetic and natural fibers that pull moisture away from the body.  Synthetic and natural fibers can help you stay warm when wet.  Don’t forget that layering garments is always warmer than using a huge parka and not much underneath.  And…..the absolute two most important pieces of clothing gear for a hike are good socks and good shoes.  You can avoid a lot of pain with comfortable socks and shoes.  The hat is another important piece of garment.  Most of the heat from our bodies is lost through our heads, feet and hands.  Keep those areas well covered to conserve body heat.  A hat seems to me, is always my best defense against chilling during cold weather.
• Lastly, in addition to knowing the weather conditions, you will need to be prepared with a first aid kit that matches the hiking adventure you are planning.  In most cases, just a simple first aid kit will suffice.  First aid kits are usually available at local department or sporting good stores.  You can also build your own and include these basics:  (1) Different sizes and shapes of bandages and gauzes; (2) Various types of tape for wounds or wound fixing tools; (3) Suntan lotion (in warmer climates of course); (4) A light emergency blanket, preferably water resistant; (5)  Aspirin, allergy, laxative and anti-diuretic medications; (6) A small multi-use tool with a knife, scissors, and a needle and thread;  (7) A cell phone; (8) Pack all your items in a waterproof bag or container
• I carry Zone nutrition bars and water every where I go.  I like the flavored water with added calcium, and Vitamin B.

The Great Smoky Mountains is also a wonderful retreat even if you are not planning a hike in the region.

Written by:  Connie Limon  For more information about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and trip planning visit:  http://smalldogs2.com/SmokyMountainRetreat  For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special topic articles rarely seen elsewhere visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com