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If you have been following me for a while, you know that I am originally from North Carolina. We moved out west 4.5 years ago and it is quite the adjustment. We said goodbye to humidity and hello to elevation and very dry skin haha! If you are not originally from the west, welcome to the desert! Because this is potentially new terrain, here are some important tips for hiking in the desert:

Tips for hiking in the desert

• Drink more water than you normally would. It’s the desert! When hiking, I like to use a hiking pack with a water bladder like this one. Regardless of a water bladder or bottles, consider factors like the shade available on trails, how cloudy/sunny the weather is, and how hot it is outside. A trail with no shade on a sunny day would require about double the water than if it was a cloudy, cool day.

• In addition to bringing water, consider bringing a water filter as well so you can filter on the trail. Of course just with any tips for hiking in the desert, this may be more or less necessary depending on how long your planned hike is.

• In addition to water, when you sweat you lose electrolytes, remember to replace these as well. If you sweat a lot like me, check out my favorite deodorant for people who sweat a lot.

• Dress in layers as the temperature fluctuation is no joke. Although it seems counter-intuitive, consider lightweight wool clothing. Wool is moisture wicking, temperature regulating, and doesn’t smell. Learn more in this blog post here.

• Chapstick is your best friend as it is dry.

Heading out west soon? Plan your trip to the Utah Mighty 5 National Parks using this blog post.

• Sunscreen is important even in the winter. If you’re in the Utah desert, Utah has DOUBLE the national average of melanoma incidence for a reason. Apply and re-apply.

• No matter what, make sure someone (who isn’t on the hike with you) knows where you are if you are going on a hike. You likely will not have cell service, so don’t plan on it.

• LEAVE THE TRAIL BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT – similar to leave no trace, except you can always help make things better. Pick up trash, follow trails (and avoid the “social trails”), and be a good human being.

• Regular sneakers may cut it for many hikes, however consider getting some hiking shoes/boots for better traction.

• Always check in with rangers for latest information on trails, road conditions, etc.

• The “All Trails” app available for both iOS and Android is super helpful for finding hikes. You can also use the routes with your phone on GPS and download trail maps before you leave.

Are you planning to head to the desert? What tips for hiking in the desert do you want to share? Let me know in the comments!

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• Best Hikes in Utah
• Hiking Tips for Beginners
• Easy Hikes near Salt Lake City
• Hiking and Social Distancing
• 21 Places to Visit in Utah that aren’t National Parks
• 11 Things to do in Kanab

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