Bear Creek Preserve - West Entrance - Fall Foliage

Trailhead:

Length of Hike: Hours = 2     Miles 3.5   Elevation Gain - 390ft

Hiking Experience: Beginner                        Fitness Level: Beginner

Cost: $20/hiker - Payment Options

1. Pre-Pay

• Venmo - @rathergohike

2. At location – Cash

Footwear:

Boots: Required. Among hiking equipment, boots rank first in importance. For our terrain, ideal boots provide the following:

• water resistance from      recent water-proofing treatment (we’ll have muddy sections)
• comfort from a proper fit      with enough room for two pairs of socks (see below)
• good traction from a      lugged sole (ex. Vibram®)
• blister prevention from      being broken-in in advance by the wearer

Socks: Required. Light or Midweight wool socks perform best for this time of year.

• Advanced recommendation:      While hiking with a pack, wool socks should be worn with a lightweight      polypropylene liner sock to prevent blisters.
• Gaiters: Recommended.      Gaiters are used to keep dirt, rocks, and water out of boots. Gaiters are      particularly useful in wet (ex: when traversing streams) and/or muddy      terrain. They help minimize erosion and vegetation damage by allowing us      to walk through the mud and avoid widening the trail.

Clothing: Required:

• A Note on Clothing      Materials: Cotton: NO COTTON! While comfortable in the frontcountry,      cotton absorbs and retains water, drawing heat away from the wearer. For      this reason, cotton clothing is deadly in the backcountry and is not      risked on hiking trips.
• Wool: A favorite material      of woodsmen for centuries, wool retains its insulating qualities when wet.      Also, wool is singularly durable.
• Fleece: Fleece is a      synthetic material that draws moisture from skin without actually      absorbing water, which makes for great insulation. Otherwise similar to      wool, fleece is lighter, but bulkier.
• Polypropylene:      Polypropylene is another synthetic material that serves as a great      insulator. It is especially effective as a moisture-wicking base layer      next to skin

Backpack: Required:

• This item is important.      Since this is a short hike, you do not need a large pack but something      sold as a pack for day hikes. Mainly looking for something comfortable to      carry snacks, water, extra, jacket, etc. Make sure its comfortable      with a little weight in it.

Headlamp: Required:

• Due daylight ending early, a headlamp is neccesary. Make sure batteries are fresh.

Water (or drinks) Required

• The amount to carry      depends on temperatures and your consumption amount. I recommend 2 liters      or 64 ounces of water. A minimum of 1 liter or 32 ounces. Note: 32 ounces      adds about 2lbs of weight to your pack.

Food: Recommended

• Snacks are up to you. Due to length of trip, you do not need a lot of food but its good to have      something to snack for energy if needed.

Trekking Poles: Optional

• One or two trekking poles  can be very helpful, especially in descent. Note: For those with knee      problems, trekking poles are particularly helpful as they transfer weight  from the legs to the wrists and arms

First Aid Kit and Whistle: Optional.

Disclaimer:

There will be a waiver to sign upon arrival for the hike.

Hiking is an inherently dangerous activity that can lead to serious injuries including but not limited to slip and fall injuries, fractures, rattlesnake bites, heat exhaustion, poison oak, poison ivy, ticks and frostbite. Always remember to let the event organizer know if you are straying from the group. Stay on the trail, never walk alone and use your own common sense. RatherGoHike cannot assure suitability of any trail to your specific abilities, nor can they assure your abilities are suitable for any of the trails / trips undertaken by RatherGoHike.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in good health and your gear is in good order before participating in a high intensity activity like this one. You're advised to carry everything you need for the activity, including water, first aid kit, any medicine you need, etc. You are responsible for bringing your own personal protection equipment to safeguard against Covid-19.

You understand that participation will include a variety of hazards and dangers, foreseen or unforeseen. These hazards and dangers could result in personal injury, property damage, and death. These hazards and dangers may include, but are not limited to, falling, falling objects, drowning, temperature exposure, equipment failure, improper use of equipment, inadequate or improper instruction or assistance, exposure to wild animals including poisonous animals, insects, debris, plants, unpredictable forces of nature, inclement weather, dehydration, unsanitary food or hydration.

No children under the age of14 and between 14- 18 must have a legal guardian present . Everyone is responsible for their own transportation. You can carpool if you desire, and carpooling is recommended. Participation in the hiking group and carpooling is voluntary. Any guests under age of 18 will need written consent from guardian in attendance.