Things You Should Know

Safety

With reasonable precautions and advance planning, hiking is a safe activity. However, hiking does require physical exertion in a wild and constantly changing environment, and hikers assume the inherent risks. Inclusion of a hike on this website does not guarantee a hiker's safety, or even that hikers will find conditions on the ground to be identical to those described herein. Fires, windstorms, floods, and gravity all subject the forest, trails, and roads to periodic change. Hikers need to be knowledgeable and alert, follow basic safety guidelines, and take personal responsibility for safety decisions.

Basic safety preparation means carrying a few things with you that you most likely will not use. A good start is to carry what are widely known as the Ten Essentials. There are many variations and a quick search on the web will uncover many sources of further information.

 Ten Essentials

• Navigation - Maps, compass, GPS

• Sun protection – Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat

• Weather protection – Raingear, jacket, hat, gloves, layers for warmth

• Illumination - Flashlight, headlamp

• First aid supplies – First-aid kit, blister protection, medications

• Fire - Matches, lighter, fire starter

• Repair supplies - Duct tape, knife, multi-tool

• Nutrition – Plenty of high-energy food

• Water – Plenty of water, water treatment supplies

• Shelter - Space blanket, bivy, tarp

Safety tips

Driving there: The most dangerous part of a hiking trip is driving to and from the trailhead, and the high-speed roads closer to civilization generally pose more risks than forest roads. Nevertheless, caution is warranted when driving in the forest. Defensive driving is the rule, and recommendation number one is to take every corner as if there is a truck on the other side coming toward you. Just because you have not seen another vehicle for the last fifteen miles does not necessarily mean you are the only one in the vicinity. Cutting corners is the best way to have a serious vehicle accident in the forest. Watch out for black ice, particularly during fall and winter mornings on paved roads along valley bottoms. Remember to use lower gears, especially on steep grades, and note that four-wheel drive often just means you can go farther before you get stuck.

Hypothermia: The most serious risk to hikers on the trail is hypothermia. Weather conditions change rapidly in the Cascades, and cold rain is common at higher elevations. Know the weather forecast, take and use protective raingear, and keep the body supplied with calories in wet, cold weather.

Contacts: Make sure somebody knows where you are going and when you will be back. Have a positive contact system set up in advance, which means that somebody will check on you and your party if you do not show up on time. The Forest Service does not perform this service and cell phones often do not work in the mountains.

Car clouting: Clouting (breaking and entering, or vandalism) does occasionally happen at trailheads. Trailheads closer to large urban areas tend to have more problems with car clouting. This is not a big problem, but do not leave anything of value in your vehicle.

 Water: Don't drink the water. At least be aware that anytime you drink untreated water from a stream or lake there is a risk of infection with Giardia, an intestinal parasite capable of seriously disrupting your lifestyle. Bring a couple quarts of drinking water per person with you. There are also a wide variety of water filters and purifiers available.

Animals: The wild animals most likely to harass hikers are mosquitoes and various flies. July and early August can be ugly in the high Cascades. Be prepared; carry either repellent or protective netting. Black bears are shy of humans. Count it as good fortune if you get a good look at a bear. Cougars are even more difficult to spot in the woods. Injury to hikers from these large predators is almost unheard of. If you are concerned, check the web for the latest recommendations. Rattlesnakes are uncommon and it is very unlikely you will see one. Check for ticks after hiking in spring and early summer, and off-trail wandering can stir up yellow jackets, especially in the late summer and early autumn. Individuals allergic to bee or wasp stings should carry prescription bee-sting kits.

Poison oak: Poison oak is a three-leaved shrub common at low elevations on dry, usually south-facing slopes. Learn to identify and avoid it. If you come into contact with poison oak, wash yourself and your clothes as soon as possible.

Forest roads

Hikes described on this website require travel on U.S. Forest Service gravel-surfaced roads, most of which can be safely negotiated by a careful driver in a sedan. However, road conditions are subject to change due to weather, and to infrequent road maintenance. Annual snowpack varies from year to year, and extreme events such as major fires, windstorms or floods can block access for extended periods of time, even on principal roads. If in doubt, contact the local Forest Service Ranger District or visit the relevant national forest website for the latest information.

 National forests in the Northwest use a standardized road numbering system. Primary roads are designated with a two-digit number (e.g., Forest Road 23) and are marked on the ground with a trapezoid-shaped sign. They are frequently paved and connect forest roads with state and county roads. A horizontal, rectangular sign is used to mark secondary roads. These roads are labeled with four digits, the first two of which are the same as an adjoining primary road (e.g., Forest Road 2320 is connected to FR 23). Shorter, local roads that branch off at the ends of the road network are more likely to be rough or infrequently maintained. Local roads are designated with a three-digit number (e.g., Forest Road 100) and are marked on the ground with a vertical, rectangular sign. The four-digit secondary road it joins with is usually numbered on the top of the sign.

Good manners

Good manners are mostly a matter of respect, for fellow travelers and for the forest. The goal is simple: leave no trace of your passing, and do not disturb animals, plants, or other people. The following guidelines make life better for everyone:

• Do not shortcut switchbacks.

• Do not pick flowers or disturb other natural features.

• Do not leave any litter, including orange peels.

• Yield to horses by stepping off the trail, to the downhill side if feasible.

• Leave pets at home; if you bring your dog, keep it on a leash and bury dog feces.

• Respect private property.

• Be courteous to rangers and other officials; they do not set policy or fees.

• Bury human waste 200 feet or more from a stream. Pack out toilet paper.

If you plan to camp overnight, consult online sources for additional guidelines.

Other trail users

Trails on national forests are managed for multiple users. In practical terms that means hikers share trails with mountain bikes, horses, and sometimes motorized bikes. Mountain bikes are the biggest trail users on some trails, and contribute significantly to trail maintenance. Trailhead signs usually indicate which uses are allowed. Hikers wishing to avoid other trail users should visit these areas during the week and avoid summer weekends. In any case, be considerate of other’s rights and do not confront other trail users in the forest.

Rules, permits and fees

Rules, permits and fees are a fact of life that help reduce conflict. Rules are more restrictive in designated Wilderness, such as a prohibition on mountain bikes and limits on group size. Self-issued permits, available at trailheads, are required for Wilderness entry. Fire restrictions are common late in the season and should be noted and followed. Restrictions on motorized bikes or other types of trail use will be signed at the trailhead. Trails in this guide do not currently require a Northwest Forest Pass, but sites in this fee program sometimes change. In any case, check the trailhead signboards for pertinent rules and requirements.