A day hike requires minimal equipment and can be as simple as choosing a hike and hitting the trail. Part of the attraction of hiking is the ease of getting started.

Consider the following elements when selecting a hiking destination:

• Your goals - are you birdwatching, getting exercise, spending quality time with your friends, or perhaps all three?
  
  
• The type of environment you prefer to be in - desert, alpine, and glacier environments both offer special rewards and pose certain hazards
  
  
• The difficulty and length of the trail - are you out for a leisurely jaunt, or are you determined to bag a 10,000 foot peak?
  
  
• The length of time you have - while hiking in the dark can be fun with a full moon, it can be dangerous or scary in unfamiliar territory, or rattlesnake habitat.

What is your favorite scenario for adventure and exploration?

When you think about going hiking or backpacking, do you picture yourself climbing steep mountains or strolling through meadows?

Sleeping beneath a thick canopy of trees or under the stars?

Making coffee on a chilly morning or swigging down a quart of water as the sun scorches the desert sands?

DayHike: Leave No Trace Principles

DayHike: Leave What You Find

DayHike: Living Hazard: Hunters

DayHike: Living Hazard: Personal Safety

DayHike: Living Hazard: Respect Wildlife

DayHike: Pack It in, Pack It out

DayHike: Stay on the Trail

DayHike: The Art of Hiking: Basic Technique

DayHike: The Art of Hiking: Downhill/Uphill

DayHike: The Art of Hiking: Foot Care

DayHike: The Art of Hiking: Hiking Poles

DayHike: What to Wear