As an amateur hiker, Spring Break was a great opportunity to find new hiking trails and explore Indiana’s natural habitats. During the break, I was able to visit Cardinal Greenways in Muncie, Indiana, and the Rangeline Nature Preserve in Anderson, Indiana. While both locations offered great wooded trails and rugged terrain, I did learn necessary hiking lessons that will benefit me (and hopefully you!) for hiking trails to come.
My dog and I about to go on a walk
#1: Lather Up!
When I went to the Cardinal Greenways in Muncie, Indiana, certain parts of the trail were not as densely forested, compared to the nature preserve in Anderson. This meant that a majority of the time I was in constant contact with the sun. This is dangerous because the sun’s UV rays can damage DNA in the upper layer of your skin cells. Not only does this increase your risk of skin cancer, but it can leave you in a lot of pain with red patches everywhere. Save yourself from the painful blisters and lather on that sunscreen. According to John Hopkins Medicine, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours after swimming or sweating.
Not only is it important to wear sunscreen when exposed to the sun, but insect repellent should also be worn, especially in wooded areas. The nature preserve, Rangeline Nature Preserve, is 180 acres of wooded land. While I only walked six miles of the 180 acres, I did find a good share of bugs. Not only did I work up a sweat as I swatted away bugs from my legs and arms, but at that moment, I wished that I had brought bug repellent to reduce this perpetual swatting. It is also important to bring bug spray, because it will reduce your risk of viruses and diseases such as West Nile virus from mosquitoes and Lyme disease from ticks.
#2: Hydration is Key!
While this may seem like an obvious tip, it can be an easily overlooked necessity when going on long walks or climbing unknown terrain. If you are walking for a longer distance, it can be difficult to find a water bottle that does not hinder your hiking experience. I compare finding the perfect hiking water bottle to the story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It has to be just right! You don’t want a small water container that, while it fits in your backpack, leaves you thirsty in the middle of the hike. However, you don’t want to carry a huge jug that doesn’t fit in your bag, and in the end, causes your fingers to cramp after carrying it through different hiking trails. Before packing your water bottle, think about these two different situations, so that you have the best hiking experience possible!
#3: Fully immerse yourself in the experience
Too many times have I heard the story of people injuring themselves for the perfect picture in nature. When I go on hikes, trails can be new for me. I am always alert, not only to the people around me, but also nature. Nature, in its rawest form, holds a lot of beauty but also a lot of danger. Obviously, if you encounter an animal or dangerous terrain in front of you that you don’t feel comfortable crossing, always turn back, as that is the safest option. Remember, your safety is the top priority when hiking an unknown trail. The same goes for taking pictures. Don’t try to get closer to wildlife for a photo, or climb an unknown rock formation for your next social media post. Not only are you putting your life at risk, but you could also be harming the natural elements around you (i.e. frightening animals, and trampling landscapes).
I hope these tips help you for your future hikes while enjoying the beautiful nature that Indiana has to offer. Remember to be respectful and aware of your surroundings, and as always, have fun!
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