Call before you hike

One habit I got into last year was calling the Forest Service before going out on a hike. One trail I was planning to hike was closed due to a plane crash at the trailhead which triggered a forest fire.

In Nov, there was a major windstorm in Colorado. Many trails on a line about 50 miles south of Salida to 20 miles north are closed this year due to MANY fallen trees. Parts of the trail to Mt. Shavano are covered with 10 feet of trees according to a trail report I read.

I usually do this, too. Earlier this year, I found out that a side trail had been closed, and the main trail re-routed, because a section of the forest was being logged. (This is in Ohio, and the forest is managed as a pulpwood-producing forest, so it's not like they were destroying old-growth woods.) I've also, in the past, learned that streams I intended to rely on were dry, or that other local conditions were changed since my last visit.

It's a good idea.

Unfortunately my experience has been that information from the "office staff" is too often wrong or out-dated. They tend to be overly cautious assuming the lowest common denominator of hiker, so will often say "too much snow" when there really are only a few patches. The young college interns often want to please (answer your questions) so much that they will just pass on rumors instead of verifying accuracy. So except for the very obvious, I do not find a call very useful.

I suspect it varies from region to region. Around here, dealing with Ohio Dept of Natural Resources and NFS offices usually yields good, reliable advice. Perhaps it's because our trail systems aren't as long or numerous, or as subject to sudden and severe weather impact - it's probably easier for them to stay current when there's not as much data to deal with. I've also found they're very forthcoming about saying "I don't know" when they don't know, and that they'll then try to connect you with someone who does (or arrange to relay information once they find out.)

You never know what kind of information you will get. I remember the time I was supposed to lead a dayhike in early May. The ranger station said, "Oh, the valley is still completely covered with snow." Sure enough, the place was almost solid white--not with snow, but with blooming trilliums! The other people on the hike agreed it was one of the most beautiful wildflower hikes they'd ever been on.

Then there is the Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center in Enterprise, OR. I have called several times only to receive outdated information and nothing that hadn't been on their website months before. I know some people who have gotten not just outdated but completely erroneous information from them. They also apparently refuse to accept reports from hikers who have just returned from the field, which amazes me--most USFS ranger stations are happy to have hiker reports. I've found out since that the Wallowa Lake Lodge is a much better source of trail condition information in that area.

Admittedly, with continuing severe budget cuts, the Forest Service folks can't get out into the field as much as they used to, so it's no surprise that their information is often out of date. Keep in mind, also, that you'll probably be talking to a clerical employee in a woefully understaffed office!

The best information I've ever gotten from the US Forest Service was at the Shoshone NF ranger station in Lander, WY. The lady there printed me out a weather report, gave me lots of current info about the west side of the Wind Rivers even though it's in another national forest (she even offered to call the Pinedale Ranger Station for me), and gave me directions to several places in town where I could buy topographic maps, since they were out of the one map I most needed.

I can only say: yes, call the land management agency (ranger station), but do check other information sources as well! If there's a hiker's forum or two for the area you're in, keep tabs on their trip reports. If not, google to see if there are any nearby hiking or climbing clubs (another good info source) or recent trip reports in that area. Locally owned outdoor stores often have recent information for their area or know where to find it. And don't dismiss commercial outfitters as a source of information.

That's a good point: don't rely on a single source of information. Land management agencies are one source, but you list a number of excellent other sources.

Sometimes, especially early in the season, you may be the first person out there. Be prepared to be a pioneer! You may have to turn around if it gets too bad. And do notify the land manager! Even if there's no trail maintenance budget (which there probably isn't), the land managers may be able to send volunteer groups that way. Also, if there's a hiking forum for that area, post a report there. If the trail is free and clear, a lot of folks will be happy to know!

Absolutely! We do this on many of our hikes--we are the first, or among the first, to go into the area. The rangers may not have much info...so when we get out, we always stop and give them a quick report. Most of them are quite astonished at this...but generally grateful for the information.