What To Pack When Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

Coming to Estes Park for a vacation is a great option for anyone that loves the great outdoors, beautiful scenery and would enjoy going on a hike in the mountains. One of the top things to do in Estes Park each year continues to be to go camping in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you are going to go camping here, it is very important that you are properly prepared. For those that are wondering what to pack when they are going hiking, there are a variety of items that should be included.

Proper Clothing

When you are going to go hiking at this national park, it is very important that you pack and wear the right clothing. Depending on the length of your hike and if you plan on going camping overnight, this could include many different types of layers. The temperature at the national park and in the mountains can vary a lot based on your elevation and the time of the day. Due to this, you should make sure that you check the weather and plan accordingly.

Sunscreen and Eyewear

One thing that will surprise a lot of people when they are in the mountains is how powerful the sun can be. Even if the weather is cold, the thinner layer of atmosphere and bright sun could lead to sunburn. Due to this, you should always wear a proper level of sunblock at all times. You should also invest in a quality set of sunglasses that are designed for those that go hiking in the mountains.

Shoes and Socks

As you are planning for your hike in the mountains, you also need to consider your shoe and socks needs. Having clean and dry socks and a quality set of shoes is very important. Due to this, you should wear shoes that are durable and rugged and can keep your feet dry. If you plan on walking across streams or in other wet conditions, bringing a separate set of water shoes is a good idea. It would also be a good idea to bring a separate set of socks in case your feet do get wet.

First Aid Kit

While you can be an experienced camper and hiker, you should still prepare for the unexpected. Due to this, you should bring a small first aid kit that could help you to manage some minor injuries. Some items that you should include in your first aid kit should include band-aids, tape, disinfectant solutions, and other items that could help you manage an injury until you are able to receive proper medical attention.

Food and Water

Taking a hike of any distance can be physically exhausting for anyone. Due to this, you should make sure that you always have plenty of food and water. This should include having food that can help to keep you full and energized. Since water can be quite heavy, those that are taking longer hikes should also consider investing in a water filtration kit.

Map of Trails and Compass

If you are going hiking in the national mountain park, you could find that there are a lot of places where you can go out. Some of these trails can wind and be harder to navigate. Due to this, you should always bring a compass with you as well as a map of the local trails. This could prove to be very useful if you are ever lost or need to find the right way back.

When you are going to go hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park, it is important that you are as prepared as possible. When you are preparing for the hike, it is important that you pack as well as possible. There are a variety of things that you should pack to ensure you are properly prepared for your hike.