HIKING
You Say When:
Hiking
Intensity
Levels
Difficulty Ratings:
Class One – Easy hiking on an established trail. Flat and mostly smooth terrain. No general equipment needed;
sport shoes and active wear are fine.
Class Two – Medium hiking off trail on
rough terrain, using your hands to
keep your balance. Snow hills, bogs,
and scree (loose pebbles/gravel on
slopes that might make you scramble
a bit) present. You will need hiking
boots.
Class Three – Strenuous hiking. High
elevations (over 4,000 feet) and extreme terrain. You will climb over boulders and steep cliffs; possible need for
climbing equipment such as rope and
climbing shoes.
You say when
Now that you know the general classes for hiking, and
how to calculate your hiking time, you can determine
where you stand with your abilities. We’ve done some
research on popular hiking sites throughout the U.S.
and found trails ranging over every class. From nature
walks, down to some of the roughest and toughest trails
in the country, these breathtaking areas –figuratively
and literally – are worth your while. We’ll take you on an
adventure through them all, but it is up to you to decide
when to say, “Mercy.”
78 Summer 2015 Adventure Outdoors
Calculating your hiking time:
1. Know your walking distance per hour. Generally, a person can walk an average of 2mph, but if
you feel that you may be slower or faster, walk
on a treadmill (without pushing yourself) for an
hour first to get your time.
2. Divide the mileage of your hike by your walking
speed. For example, if your speed is 2mph, and
you are taking a 3 mile hike, then it will take you
approximately 1 ½ hours to hike that trail.
3. Once you have that number, add on 30 minutes
for every 1,000 feet of elevation. A basic map of
your trail will tell you what that number is. If your
hike contains 2,000 feet, then your added time
for the hike will be 1 hour, giving you a total of
2 ½ hours now.
4. The last addition will be the time you allow yourself to sightsee or take breaks. Add between
5-10 minutes for however many times you think
you’ll stop. If you’re on a beautiful trail enjoying
the scenery, give yourself an extra hour just in
case. If you’re hiking to a destination and only
trying to get to that particular place, give yourself 20-30 minutes. Overall, a 3 mile hike will
take you between 3-4 hours to complete, especially if you’re just starting out.
Let’s start off easy. If you are interested in taking a leisurely stroll through the southern tropics, try the Everglades National Park, located in Florida. Sure, its trails
are short and sweet, but they’re crawling with wild
things, such as the American crocodile, hordes of alligators, and the infamous Florida panther. Subtle species,
such as manatees and flamingos, call the Everglades
home as well. This trail is marked “class one,” with conventional routes, boardwalks, and mostly flat terrain.
You’ll need a simple pair of sneakers, a camera to catch
the scenery, and a bottle of water to help with the Florida heat.