I love hiking and have visited over 100 waterfalls in the last few years. While hiking is a great way to enjoy nature and stay healthy, there are some precautions you should take. Below are my tips to safely enjoy hiking and visiting waterfalls.
1
Never climb on or around waterfalls. Accidents and even deaths happen all the time to people who try to climb waterfalls and slip or fall.
2
Never jump off waterfalls or dive into pools. It is difficult to know the true depth of a pool at the base of a waterfall. Even if it looks deep enough, there may be rocks or logs hidden beneath the water’s surface. River or creek currents can drag you under and pull you downriver.
3
Never stand in, play, or cross the river above a waterfall. You can lose your footing or the current may carry you over the falls.
4
Watch your step! Mists from the falls may make nearby rocks, bridges, or steps slippery or muddy. In the winter, this mist can also turn these areas icy.
5
Wear shoes with good tread and grip. Unless it is a paved or completely flat trail, I recommend wearing proper hiking boots and socks.
6
Take time to enjoy the trail and waterfalls. Focus on your surroundings, breathe in fresh air, and feel the sunshine. This is the time to leave your stress and busy mind behind.
7
Be careful. Many waterfalls are in remote areas. Cell service can be limited to call for help or find directions. Due to the remoteness, rescues may be delayed or difficult.
8
Go with someone or tell someone where you plan to go before you leave. Give an approximate time you plan to return. If something unfortunately does happen, someone will know when to worry and where to look for you.
9
Be considerate of other visitors and hikers. Let faster moving traffic pass you. Stop your group from taking up the entire width of the trail. If you need to listen to music or an audiobook, wear headphones so you don’t distract or frustrate others whose purpose is to listen to nature or to get away from it all.
10
Bring hiking instructions, a map, or take a photo of the map at the trail’s information board. Not all trails are blazed or signed.
11
Be prepared.
- Carry a flashlight or headlamp, even on a day hike. If you get lost or injured, it could get dark quickly.
- If you are in area where bears are often sighted, bring bear spray and something to make noise. Even if it is just a small keychain that jingles as you walk, this will alert bears to your presence and keep them from getting aggressive because you surprised them.
- Wear bug spray to ward off mosquitos and ticks.
- Bring an external battery pack for your cell phone in case the battery gets drained during the day, especially if you use your phone for photos or directions.
12
Stay on the trail and do not disturb the wildlife or plants.
13
Bring water and a snack. Bring more water than you think you’ll need. I always bring a second water bottle just in case or you could carry a purification system like LifeStraw to use on a clean flowing river or creek.
14
Prepare for the weather. Don’t head out on a long or remote hike if bad weather is predicted. If there is a chance of rain, bring a rain jacket or poncho. For hot and humid days, remember to hydrate.
15
Wear sun protection such as sunscreen, sunglasses, or a hat. You can also wear clothing with sun-protective fabrics.
16
Start with small hikes before taking long ones. If you aren’t used to long or strenuous hikes, start with easier ones to get your endurance up.
17
Let the slowest hiker in the group set the pace. You should not push inexperienced or slower hikers. They will likely get fatigued or hurt trying to keep up.
18
Do not cross rivers or streams with flooding, fast moving water, unknown depth, or in icy conditions. This is dangerous and, like around waterfalls, you could be pulled under or downriver by the current. You could also fall and injure yourself.
19
If you are hiking to high elevations, take time to acclimate. Oxygen is reduced at higher elevations and at over 8,000 feet above sea level hikers can suffer from altitude sickness. Above 9,000 feet, consider hiking to higher altitudes during the day and returning to a lower altitude to sleep.
20
Know when to turn around. Pay attention to your body and take breaks when you need. If you start to feel off or overly exhausted, take a break, sit down, and drink some water. Make sure you leave enough energy to get back to camp or your car.
Those are my 20 tips to stay safe while hiking or visiting waterfalls. Do you have any tips for hikers? Comment below!
You did it again! Thank you from all of us at CFA.
Thank you Charlotte! So glad you liked the tips 🙂