Enjoying the Parks and Trails
When I was in grade school, one of my geography textbooks featured a penguin with her chick peeking out from under her, with the quote, "I heard the sun was shining.” With the sun shining and the warm weather upon us, some of us don’t just peek; we dash outside to make the most of it.
After months of being stuck indoors, we are ready to enjoy our parks and trails. But, of course, we all have different reasons for stepping out; we could be looking to challenge ourselves physically as we hit the trails, nourish our wellbeing or just take in the summer scenery.
As we share outdoor spaces, being aware of some park and trail etiquette will make the experience enjoyable for all.
It is important to follow the “Traffic Safety Act” on yielding as with any kind of traffic. The rule of thumb for hikers is that the person going downhill is the one who yields to those going uphill on an incline. This is because the downhill hiker’s view is less obstructed, giving a clearer view of the surroundings. However, there are instances when it is acceptable or preferred to follow the rules in the opposite direction. For example, when a hiker going uphill requires some rest or wishes to stop and take photos, they need to be the primary yielding party. By being alert and communicating clearly with their fellow hikers, the hiker going uphill can help keep a steady flow of traffic without disrupting anyone around them.
When walking in my neighbourhood park, almost all the cyclists sharing the trail usually notify walkers of their presence by ringing their bells and sometimes announcing “passing on your left” to tell us where they are. The same can be applied when hiking. When we decide to pass those ahead of us, communicating this verbally is a helpful way of alerting them of our presence and intent. Observing the common driving rule of passing on the left is also a good way of eliminating confusion.
Groups of more than one need to hike in a single file unless they have the trail to themselves and stay on course without crushing the vegetation. They still need to keep an eye on other hikers and follow the single file rule when they come across them.
Adhering to the signage around hiking trails or parks is something we should not ignore.
Depending on where we are hiking, we may not have the privilege of garbage bins at our disposal. That being said, we are never excused from the trail’s no-littering policy. We take everything with us that we have brought out (food wrappers, empty beverage bottles, can, and band-aid wrapping) until we can properly dispose of it. Let us also remember that picking any plants or flowers found in national parks is illegal.
Being considerate, friendly and courteous during hikes will make our adventures more enjoyable and pleasant. And who knows? A friendly greeting could get us some valuable information about the hike along the way.
