Venture Outdoors: Be prepared, stay safe when hiking
The coming of warm weather and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions have combined to send more people back to the great outdoors.
“We've definitely seen a 50% increase in visitation in the last year,” said Miranda Crotsley, program coordinator at Jennings Environmental Center.
But before hitting the trails of Moraine State Park or Jennings after a year's layoff, park officials offer some advice.
“This is the habitat for the massasauga rattlesnake. They are small and shy snakes rarely seen on the trails, but because they do exist, we recommend people wear closed-toe shoes,” Crotsley said.
Crotsley also advised hikers at Jennings to have a hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water with them. Light-colored clothing helps keep hikers cool.
“Shoes are important,” said Dustin Drew, park manager for Moraine and McConnells Mill state parks. “You need a sturdy hiking shoe or a boot-type. It needs to provide support up and above the ankle.”Good traction is also important, Drew said. Hiking in sandals or smooth-soled shoes is something he doesn't recommend.Drew advised beginning hikers to dress in layers so they can take off a layer when they get too hot or place it back on when they get cold.Because of the presence of thorny plants and ticks, he recommends long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks to lessen the chance of lacerations or tick bites.Because Jennings is a child-friendly park and hosts many children's programs, Crotsley asks that trail users keep their dogs on a leash.
Another vital accessory is a map, Crotsley said.“We have five miles of trails in the park and one of them connects with Moraine,” she said.“You could walk quite a distance, because it doesn't loop around like the others,” she said.“Although the trails here at Jennings are very well marked with signs at the intersections,” Crotsley said, she still recommends people consult a map before hiking or take one with them.Stop in the center office and pick up a trail map or talk with the folks in the office.“We are always happy to provide advice about what to see and where to go,” she said.Drew said none of the 20-plus miles of trails in Moraine or the 11.2 miles of trails in McConnells Mills are marked for difficulty, but maps available throughout the parks list a trail's difficulty rating.None of Jennings trails are extremely difficult, but trails that are flatter or have steps are clearly marked.For beginning hikers with average physical ability, Crotsley said a hike should cover a mile or a mile and a half.“If you are just out for a walk studying the flowers, it might take you half hour if you are walking at an average pace,” she said.Walkers can build up to a 2.5-mile trail loop over the course of the summer.
Drew said the most common error beginning hikers make is not making a plan in advance.“They don't realize their capabilities,” he said. “They don't judge distances and how long it takes to cover them. They get out farther than they thought. It takes longer than they thought. Now it's dark, and their phone is dead, and now we're going out to get someone.”Drew said this probably happens at least a half dozen times during hiking season, although some are rescues of injured hikers.He recommended hikers know where they are going and also hike with a friend.Drew advised hikers to start off with a half-mile hike at the beginning, walk 15 minutes and then turn around and head back to the starting point. Build up to longer hikes.Things beginning hikers can do without, Crotsley said, are hiking poles at least at Jennings because its trails don't get steep or rocky and headphones.“Unless you need them for balance or you have bad knees, you don't need poles,” she said. “And people shouldn't be playing music out loud, they really should enjoy nature and keep alert.”
Aftereffects of the first time on the trail could include some sore knees, achy thighs and some blisters on the feet, especially if breaking in a new pair of hiking shoes or boots.“We recommend you wear the shoes you can walk around your neighborhood in,” Crotsley said. “Regular sneakers are fine out here.”As the season changes to summer, the flowers in the prairie section at Jennings will begin to bloom. In the meantime, Crotsley says hikers should check out the stream valleys.“It's really neat to be near the water and check out the wildlife and bird life,” she said.In the near future, Jennings will offer self-guided trail walks. Visitors can pick up the guide and visit the numbered stops around the park.
