1. Before the day of the hike:
Familiarize yourself with the hike, driving directions, parking areas, and available rest stops. This may or may not include scouting the hike in advance. See the resource list below for hike ideas.
Determine the best meeting place in relation to your hike. If you will be meeting at a different location, such as a county park, be specific as to the location. Provide an address or GPS coordinates.
Short hikes are 3-6 miles, medium hikes 6-9 miles, and long hikes 9-15 miles. Generally, long hikes depart the meeting area at 8:00 am, medium hikes at 10:00 am, and short hikes at 1:30 pm, but the start time is ultimately up to the hike leader. Sufficient time should be allowed to ensure all hikers return to cars before dark.
Provide the month’s activity committee member a description of your hike before the 10th of the month preceding the hike. Include the date, length, location, meeting place, departure time, leader’s name, mobile phone, and email address. Include a brief description of the hike, especially mentioning any difficulties, climbs, or terrain features. If a restaurant or rest stop is planned, include that as well. The phone number should be for a phone you will have with you the day of the hike, not a home phone.
Contact the month’s activity committee member if you need any help.
2. Before leaving the parking lot
Count heads and make sure anyone under 18 is accompanied by an adult or guardian who will be responsible for their actions at all times during the hike. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on club hikes.
Ensure everyone signs the Liability Release sheet. If there are any guests, ensure they complete the non-member information.
Briefly describe the hike, mentioning distinguishing features or difficulties (especially long or steep climbs, bushwhacking, or precipitous areas).
Ensure all hikers have the proper food, water, clothing, and footwear for the conditions. In the interest of safety, the leader may refuse permission to hike to anyone whose food, water, clothing, footwear or conditioning are inadequate.
Remind everyone if they go ahead or leave the group while hiking or driving to the start of the hike, they should do so with the full knowledge of the hike leader.
Designate which cars will be used for the trip and distribute carpool money among the drivers.
Give written or electronic directions to the drivers, count cars, and keep the group together while driving.
3. At the beginning of the hike:
Introduce all hikers and ensure all hikers know the destination of the hike, so if they inadvertently get separated, they can describe it to get directions to the cars.
Review the route, including trail blazes and signage.
Remind hikers when hiking along a road, they should hike single file, facing traffic.
Select a sweep, if possible.
4. During the hike:
Wait at every change in direction to make sure everyone in the group makes the correct turn.
Wait at the tops of big climbs, stream crossings, or other tricky spots to ensure everyone gets through without difficulty.
Take a few short breaks to let everyone catch up.
Make adequate stops for delayering, water breaks, and bathroom breaks.
If the hike will cover the lunch period, plan for a lunch break around noon.
5. After the hike:
Ensure everyone has returned to the cars before leaving the parking area.
Since there is no longer a requirement to do 30 miles it is no longer necessary to send a copy of the sign-up sheet to the membership chairperson. However, it is suggested that you save the sign-up sheet for three months.
Send a brief write-up of the hike to the Log Editor. This should be a bit more descriptive than the original newsletter description. Include the names of the participants.
Start planning your next hike!
York Hiking Club Meeting Places:
At the discretion of the hike leader.
Partial List of Hike Resources:
York Hiking Club Logbook: The logbook contains hike descriptions, and you may be able to contact the previous hike leader for details.
Mason-Dixon Trail: Maps and descriptions of short and medium hikes in the area
York County Parks: Includes park maps
PA State Parks: Page for each park includes maps, advisories, and trail descriptions
Lancaster County Conservancy: Maps of preserves good mostly for short or medium hikes