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Before the Trail: The Art of Family Hiking Prep
The Hardest Part: Just Getting Out The Door
They say the hardest part of any adventure is just getting out the door. I don’t know who they are, but after years of family hiking trips, I think they might have been watching my house.
Picture this: it’s hiking day. A simple day hike. Nothing too strenuous, but the kind that promises fresh air, some exercise, and hopefully, a break from screens. The plan is to leave early, beat the midday heat, and enjoy the morning stillness. But at 7:00 AM, our house looks like a sitcom set in fast-forward.
Mom on a Mission: Herding Cats and Packing Snacks
I’m darting from room to room, arms full of water bottles, snacks, day packs, rain gear, and dog supplies.
“Where are your socks?” I yell to no one in particular.
“Who ate the last apple?!”
“Have you packed your hats and windbreakers?”
My husband emerges from our bedroom — calm, composed, and fully geared up like he’s leading an Everest expedition. His backpack is enormous, shiny, and equipped with enough gadgets to survive a week in the wilderness.
The 10-Year-Old’s Masterpiece
Our 10-year-old is also “getting ready” in his own way. He’s perched on the floor, meticulously packing his snacks into a bag the size of a sandwich. Every granola bar and every gummy bear has to fit perfectly.
Meanwhile, he hasn’t even thought about his socks or shoes. When I ask him where they are, he shrugs, completely unbothered.
The Dog’s Perspective
The dog is watching me from her bed, eyes full of judgment. She’s probably thinking, Where’s my food? My water? My leash? I add her supplies to my mental checklist and keep moving.
Enter the Teenager
Somewhere around the 27th trip to the kitchen, my teenager finally makes an appearance. His hair looks like he styled it with a pillow, and his cell phone is glued to his hand.
He stops in the doorway, squints at the chaos, and says in the most exaggeratedly ironic tone, “What’s going on? What are we doing?”
Mom’s Breaking Point
At this point, I’m halfway into my own day pack — still barefoot, mind you — frantically stuffing in extra layers, bug spray, and a first-aid kit.
My husband is outside checking the weather app for the fourth time, oblivious to the storm of activity I’m trying to manage. The breakfast table is still a mess, the dog is doing zoomies, and I’m questioning why I thought this hike was a good idea.
The Magic Moment
But then, somehow, it all comes together. Shoes are found. Water bottles are filled. The breakfast table is cleared (ish). The dog is fed. My teenager is bribed off his phone.
We load into the car, and as we drive away, the house is finally still.
On the Trail
And just like that, the chaos fades. We step onto the trail, and the madness of the morning melts away. The forest is quiet, the air is crisp, and my family — quirks and all — are together, ready to make memories.
Why It’s Worth It
Because that’s the thing about hiking with a family. It’s never just about the hike. It’s about getting ready, the chaos, the laughs, and the little moments that make it all worth it.
Even if you have to remind your teenager five times to pack his socks.
Happy trails everyone!