Mini Trail Guide #20: A hidden natural oasis with so much to see
Plus a quick guide to the "10 Essentials of Hiking" modified for tiny hikes
Do you know there is something called the 10 Essentials of Hiking? You can do an online search and come up with a number of lists (usually with affiliate links to items you need to buy).
These tiny hikes are meant to be a simpler version of backcountry or lengthy trail hiking, but it never hurts to be prepared. And I imagine that as you grow into these hikes, you’ll move on to do “less tiny” hikes in the future and it’s good to build a the habit of bringing along the essentials.
Here’s one infographic sourced from Cleveland National Forest to illustrate the point:
Maybe the most important part of this is the last line which reads: “First responders report that those who require rescuing carry little to none of these essentials.”
So how can we adapt this list to our tiny hikes or park trips with our families?
GPS/Navigation - Do all your own research before you go. This trail guide is not a replacement for official sources. I often link to official sources at the end which you can click over and read through.
Sun Protection - Yep! Bet you already do this!
First Aid Kit - I have one in my backpack at all times. LOTS of bandaids is probably all you’ll need, but you never know if there will be a bee sting or something you never expected.
Flashlight - You never know when your phone might run out of batteries, so you can’t always count on that flashlight. You should have a good idea on how long the hike will take and families are usually home by dinnertime, but it can’t hurt to have one along.
Hydration - You need a lot more than you think!
Backpack - It doesn’t have to be fancy. I always have mine packed and in my car. It has the first aid kit, sunscreen, and all the things we need daily. I then usually carry the whole family’s water supply in that backpack - and my husband & I switch off carrying it. You might already have that all built into your diaper bag or backpack that you bring on park trips?
Solid Footwear - Again, for tiny hikes you don’t need anything fancy. But close-toed shoes are always a good idea.
Extra Food - Translate to: snacks! We are experts at this!
Extra Clothing - We know this one, too! Right? Always have extra clothes or jackets for layers.
Tools - This one is tricky with kids because it is also a hazard if it’s reachable for them. Hopefully this isn’t a true need on your tiny hikes.
So now you know the 10 Essentials! Are you surprised you already probably have most of these things in your bag or car?