Why I Hike.
Hey, howdy, hey! Guess who's back? Yep, it's me, back with another banger! As the title of the blog suggests, today I'm going to be talking about why I hike and my experiences with hiking. If you're not a hiker yourself you might often wonder why do people purposely put themselves through the misery of driving—sometimes for hours—to get to a spot in the middle of nowhere with no reception. And then, why do they walk through treacherous trails just to see some trees and maybe a “nice” body of water? Well, today I am going to talk about why I do it. Aver que tal.
So, before jumping into this I just want to say, please don't expect this blog post to be some super heartfelt piece about how much I love nature or something along those lines. Because it's not. Don't get me wrong; I absolutely love nature. And if you don't, what's wrong with you? You probably litter. All I'm saying is that this isn't going to be that kind of blog, you know? But who knows? Maybe it takes a wild turn into one of those blog posts.
Okay, now that all of that's out of the way lets jump into it...
I Never Hike Early.
If you know me, you know that I am not a morning person at all, and that also stands true for hiking. I think I've maybe made a couple of exceptions before, but that's about it. To be honest, hiking early is so pointless and overrated. I don't think it's worth the hassle. I feel like the argument(s) that people make for waking up early is that, well, you get your day started off early. Which, I guess, is true, but for what reason? What's the point? You're still going to be spending your ENTIRE day hiking and driving to and from the hike. Your entire day is the hike, you know? It's a hiking day, in my opinion! Unless you're speedrunning the hike or you're doing a super lightweight hike, then yes, maybe you have a ton of free time afterward. But even then, aren't you going to be a little tired? I, for one, don't feel like doing anything after a hike, except, of course, eating a good burger. That's why my post-hiking routine consists of eating, showering, and sleeping!
Based on my experiences from hiking "early" and arriving at a trailhead "early" (by the way, "early" for me is like 8-9am), parking really f'ing sucks—it's always full! I know "early" to a lot of you Alltrails enthusiasts is 6-7am, and I'll say it straight up right now: that's just crazy to me. You will never catch me waking up that early for a hike. But anyways, my point here is that if you want good parking, you either have to wake up ridiculously early or you can do what I do (and pay attention here because I'm exposing my own personal tips on hiking): just arrive around noon-ish. This tip can be more stretched out in the summer season when the days are longer.
Why should I listen to you? From my years of experience hiking this way, I feel like:
- Since I am hiking later in the day, I can do whatever I need to do earlier on before becoming tired or sore (provided that activity isn't too time-consuming, of course).
- There are fewer crowds on the trail.
- I can catch beautiful sunsets upon arriving at my destination. 👍
When I hike like this, I always keep in mind the sundown/sunset times in the area, as well as the conditions. I consider factors like cell reception near the hike, who I'm hiking with, and yes, even the reviews on Alltrails, which can often be very helpful! If I feel confident, I just say "F it" and go. However, I will emphasize that if you're planning to hike for a sunset, it's crucial to always pack a flashlight (with extra batteries), plenty of water, and lots of snacks. These might sound like obvious tips, right? But man, you'd be surprised. Some of my friends think they can "Bear Grylls" some hikes, and it's scary how unprepared they actually are sometimes.
You do realize you're posting this during the Fall Season, right? The days are shorter, and sunset arrives much faster. So, what do you suggest now? Again, from my experience, everyone is thinking the same thing: "Oh man, it gets dark faster now because of the changing season; we should hike even earlier!" Sure, I'm also going to hike earlier for the same reason, but their definition of "earlier" is a lot different from mine. I feel like I might be confusing some folks. Let me give y'all an example of what I mean, and hopefully, it makes sense, lol.
In the summer, Conner hiked and arrived at the trailhead at 8am. But now, because of the shorter days, he hikes at 6am. Whereas I was hiking at 12pm in the summer, and now I hike at 10am. Y'all get me? Am I making sense here? Or did I confuse you even more? lol 🤔
At the end of the day, hiking is like everything else in life; it's about confidence. If you believe and think you're capable of completing that trail in the time you have, then do it. That's honestly how I live day by day—just simply going for it with a touch of strategy and planning.
Cardio.
Cardio is definitely one of the biggest reasons why I go hiking—probably one of the primary reasons why anyone goes hiking, actually. I eat a lot of unhealthy food throughout the week and try to hit the gym as often as I can to offset all the junk I consume. But let me tell you, I am not the biggest fan of treadmills. I'd much rather have an outdoor nature jog or hike any day! Running on a treadmill feels like I'm running without a purpose, you know? It's just so dull and unexciting. I won't lie; hiking trails can sometimes be boring too (switchbacks - barf 🤢), but they're nothing compared to treadmills! Cardio while hiking is pretty great for two reasons: 1. you're getting a NICE leg workout from all the incline you're most likely tackling, and 2. you get rewarded with an amazing view, perhaps even a serene lake, and some snacks when you finish! Finally, I don't know about y'all, but the hardest part about going to the gym is actually getting there—like literally getting myself up and driving there. I feel like I have an easier time convincing myself to go on a hike than to the gym. Why? I don't know.
Majestic Views.
Is it just me, or have people developed a greater interest in hiking and the outdoors post-pandemic? The pent-up demand, digital fatigue from working from home, and the mental health challenges many of us faced seemed to merge with our profound appreciation for nature. Perhaps we just yearned for the outdoors more? Regardless, I'm noticing more and more people outside everywhere I go, and that's awesome!
When I go hiking, I never just choose any random nearby trail. I almost always look for a trail that has what I call "Majestic views"! People often ask me, "What classifies a trail as 'Majestic'?" My short answer is something impressive or beautiful on a large scale (because, well, it's hiking) that evokes an "awe" or "whoa!" reaction when admired. To me, majestic views are those views and scenery we don't encounter in our everyday mundane office lives—scenes we must intentionally seek out, and for some, they might even seem out of this world.
I can't remember the first time I went on my initial "majestic views" hike, but I wish I could. I love observing the expressions on people's faces and hearing their reactions when they embark on their first "Majestic views" hike. This August, I had the privilege of taking my parents on a road trip to Wyoming to see the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Witnessing their reactions meant everything to me. They couldn't stop taking pictures, especially my mom. Seeing them so happy and free from worries about expenses or time constraints is something I hope I can continue to provide for them.
On a more recent note, I had the opportunity to chaperone a group of middle schoolers on a beautiful blue lake hike near Mt. Rainier. I still vividly recall one kid's reaction when he said, "Wow, the mountain looks like a beautiful painting!" And yes, the middle school boy did use the word "beautiful." His reaction brought a smile to my face. However, when I asked if he had ever seen Mt. Rainier up close, he replied no and said that this was the closest he’s even been to the mountain. It's unfortunate that not everyone can experience these beautiful moments as frequently as they'd like, or even at all. Some might face challenges with transportation, a lack of information (they simply might not know where to find these "majestic views"), or their schedules might not allow for it. Then there's my personal challenge: wanting to see more of the world but being restricted due to legal barriers. For now, I'll treasure what I have. I'm fortunate and grateful to reside in the beautiful state of Washington. Once I've explored all 50 states and US territories, well, that's when I'll really start complaining.
Peace.
In my non-expert opinion, I truly believe that there are numerous benefits to hiking. As I've already mentioned, there are obvious physical benefits to the body. However, I am a strong believer that hiking is also incredibly beneficial for the mind. It serves as an excellent de-stressor from our daily stressors. I don't know about you all, but I cherish my quiet time and truly appreciate any place where I can be alone to reflect. And what better place to do that than in nature, surrounded by breathtaking views? Living in the city, I feel we often become too distracted to even reflect or think for ourselves. Maybe I'm tripping, and I'm just speaking for myself, but I must say that nothing beats the tranquility and peaceful atmosphere you experience at the top of a mountain. You can't hear anything. Sometimes it's even a bit scary (because of bears, obviously), but it's still so peaceful. If you haven't experienced this before, I highly recommend it!
What does this “peacefulness” in nature look like you might be wondering? Great question…
The images above are AI-generated. While they aren't the real deal, they do capture the essence of the hiking experience. The top left captures a family on a hike. The top right shows my girlfriend and me at a viewpoint (or something like that Lol). The bottom left features my trusty Ford Focus amidst nature, and the bottom right portrays a group of friends or individuals enjoying a hike.
Now Or Never.
Now, why "now or never?" When I was a kid, I used to watch a lot of the Discovery Channel and History Channel. I remember they often discussed national parks and how one day they might no longer exist due to issues like climate change, forest fires, and deforestation. As a kid, I had no idea what any of that meant. But now, with a better understanding of these issues, I see them unfolding in real-time every single year. Just last year, when I visited Glacier National Park, I witnessed the damage that forest fires had inflicted. And this year, I saw the aftermath of last year's flood damage to Yellowstone National Park. So, that's why I say "now or never," folks. We can't predict when these world marvels might disappear. Don't keep postponing your road trip, family vacation, or any adventure you've dreamt of. Just get out there and make it happen.
Como dice La North Face “Never Stop Exploring” (This is not an ad - I wish it was though)
Thank you for reading, until next time.
Jesus