Things to Know to Have a Fun Hike in Pleasant Hill
 

Some Benefits of Hiking
 

• Lower stress levels, improved mood, and enhanced mental wellbeing

• Reduced risk for heart disease

• Lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels

• Improved control over healthy weight and lower body fats

• Improved bone density and osteoarthritis outcomes

• Increases in flexibility and coordination

• A better quality of life

• Enhanced relationships with friends and family and a better life
   

How to make hiking more fun?
 

1. Fishing at the rivers and lakes. Your family and friends may sulk at the monotony of walking for hours on end.

2. Geocaching- it is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers’ specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.

3. Foraging for Berries-  berries can creep along the ground, grow on a vine or bramble, come from a tree, or grow on a bush.

4. Photography and Swimming.

 

Tips to Make Your First Hike Successful and Fun
 

1. Start easy and find a good trail that meets your fitness level.

Find a local, short but moderately difficult trek and learn about it. Do your homework and figure out when the best time to go is, how much elevation you'll gain, how far you'll be walking, and what others are saying about the route. When you get started, pace yourself. Don't try to hurry it; you're not in a race. Take your time to appreciate the surroundings and environment rather than rushing through it. It's not often that you have the opportunity to see things like this outside of work or at home.
 

2. Find a Hiking Partner

If you have friends who hike, ask them to take you on a trek. Most people are happy to share their expertise.
 

3. Check the weather.

The weather might change at the drop of a hat, which is why it's crucial to check the forecast a few days before your excursion as well as an hour or two beforehand. With this data, you can pack and dress accordingly, as well as alter your plans if necessary. If thunderstorms are expected, you may need to postpone.
 

4. Pack the  Essentials.

Important things to pack to stay safe in the outdoors become your best friends on the trail, so get to know them:

• Appropriate Footwear

• Map and Compass/GPS

• Food and Water

• Rain Gear & Dry-Fast Layers

• Safety Items (flashlight, fire, and a whistle)

• First Aid Kit and Sun Protections

• Knife or Multi-Tool
   

5. Function over fashion.

You will be miserable on your hike if you’re caught wearing the wrong clothes and shoes. Go for synthetic, moisture-wicking clothing and skip the cotton, skip the cotton, Wool is the way to go. It provides warmth and dries quickly in cold conditions. Wear light hiking shoes with synthetic and wool socks to prevent blisters. Painful feet on the trail are no fun.
 

6. Hiking with Kids and Dogs

Kids: Enjoying nature with youngsters is an amazing experience. Hiking may be done by almost any age group, from infants in baby carriers to high schoolers who walk on their own two feet.
 

Tips:

• Keep kids dry, warm, and fed

• Choose a short hike and stop often to look at plants, rocks, animals, etc.

Dogs: If you're going to a national park with your four-legged companion, the first thing you should do is check if dogs are permitted. The majority of national parks in the United States, for example, disallow even a leashed dog to go on the same path as humans. Dogs are allowed in many national forests and state and local parks, although regulations vary. Almost everywhere, leashes are required. 
 

Tips:

• Have your dog carry its food and water in a dog -pack 

• Stop often for snacks and water

• Always pack out filled poop bags. Also, while you’re hiking, it’s poor form to leave a poop bag on the side of the trail for later pickup.
   

7. Follow trail etiquette aka Leave No Trace.

The wonderful thing about the outdoors is that it's open to everyone. Pack out your trash, make the route better than you found it, follow the rules on signs, respect the animals and be considerate of others. When others are trying to find peace, don't blast your music. Seriously, don't be that person. We all use these places and we have to keep them untainted and unique.