Adventure Smart TN

Congratulations to Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park for being honored with the 2021 Tennessee State Parks Award for Customer Engagement! 😀👏🎉
The park uses videos, virtual classes, social media and more to keep park visitors informed of events and opportunities to enjoy this special place. https://bit.ly/3h3F6OI

It seems that many hikers—even experienced ones—may not know or always remember this, but hikers going uphill have the right of way. This is because in general hikers heading up an incline have a smaller field of vision and may also be in that “hiking rhythm” zone and not in the mood to break their pace. Often an uphill hiker may let others come downhill while they take a breather, but remember that’s the uphill hiker’s call.

If you’re about to pass another hiker from behind, a simple “hello” is often the best way to announce your presence. Remember, many of us can zone out on those long, steep inclines! When passing, always stay on the trail to reduce erosion.

Trail etiquette is even more important when you’re hiking in a group. Always hike single-file, never taking up more than half the trail space, and stay on the trail itself. Over time, those off-trail boot prints can badly erode switchbacks and destroy drainage diversions. When a group meets a single hiker, it’s generally preferable for the single hiker to yield and step safely to the side.

Remember, when in doubt, just treat other hikers, bikers and equestrians the same way you’d treat the trail itself—with respect. Then get back to enjoying that solitude.
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Since mountain bikes are considered more maneuverable than hikers’ legs, bikers are generally expected to yield to hikers on the trail. However, because those mountain bikes are often moving considerably faster than said legs, it’s usually easier for hikers to yield the right of way—especially if a mountain biker is huffing and puffing up a tough incline. A biker should never expect a hiker to yield, though.

Because mountain bikers move faster, hikers should also be aware of their surroundings on shared trails. Conscientious mountain bikers will call out as they come down steep slopes or blind switchbacks, and should also let you know if there are other bikers following them. https://bit.ly/3i2CqAy

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Most campgrounds do not have regulations regarding lights in your campsite, but consider how your lights affect others who may be trying to sleep or enjoy the darkness a campground can provide. Keep lights shielded and pointing down. You may want to turn it off completely so you can enjoy that beautiful night sky. 🌟 https://bit.ly/3klkmVt

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Please note that it's considered rude to enter or pass through another occupied campsite without the occupant's permission. Likewise, you should not set up parts of your campsite that encroach on your neighbor's site. 😊 https://bit.ly/3klkmVt

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Quiet hours are posted in most campgrounds, typically for a range of time (such as 10 p.m. - 6 a.m.). While some people like to stay up late, others like to get up early. Be courteous to your neighbors and observe the quiet times. Use the time to enjoy a symphony of natural sounds. However, courtesy does not end when quiet hours do, so keep in mind that others are sharing the campground as well, and see that your fun does not get in the way of others' fun. https://bit.ly/3klkmVt

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Be Respectful of the Land and Other Hikers! 😊
Almost every group of people have some unwritten rules to help make things more pleasant for all those participating. Hikers are no different. Following a few unwritten rules can help make your hike and the hike for others more pleasant. Among some commonly observed practices are:

😊 Hike quietly. Speak in low voices and turn your cell phone down, if not off. Enjoy the sounds of nature and let others do the same.

😊 If taking a break, move off the trail a ways to allow others to pass by unobstructed.

😊 Don’t toss your trash – not even biodegradable items such as banana peels. It is not good for animals to eat non-native foods and who wants to look at your old banana peel while it ever-so-slowly decomposes? If you packed it in, pack it back out.

😊 Hikers going downhill yield to those hiking uphill.

😊 When bringing a pet on a hike, be sure to keep it on a leash and under control. Don’t forget to pack out pet waste as well.

😊 Don’t feed the wildlife. While many animals stay hidden, others are not so shy. Giving these creatures food only disrupts their natural foraging habits.

😊 Leave what you find. The only souvenirs a hiker should come home with are photographs and happy memories. (And maybe an improved fitness level!)

😊 When relieving yourself outdoors, be sure to do so 200 feet away from the trail and any water sources. Follow Leave No Trace principles.

😊 Walk through the mud or puddle and not around it, unless you can do so without going off the trail. Widening a trail by going around puddles, etc. is bad for trail sustainability. Just because it looks easy to cut the corner off of a switchback doesn’t mean it is a good idea. Help preserve the trail by staying on the trail.

😊 If hiking in a group, don’t take up the whole width of the trail; allow others to pass.
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If you’re a hiker with young children, you don’t have to put your hobby on hold until they head for college. And if you’re a parent who is new to hiking, there couldn’t be a better time to start!
Here are a few great tips for making hiking family-friendly:

😊 Have fun and be flexible. If this is your number one goal, everyone will be happy. Remember that you are trying to introduce your family to hiking; they won’t want to do it again if they don’t have fun the first time. Change your plans if things are not working out.

😊 Give the kids some control. Let the kids set the pace and allow them to make some choices along the way. Let them decide which trail to take or where to stop for lunch. They will naturally want to explore their surroundings and examine new bugs, spider webs and birds. You could carry a few toys for them to play with out on the trail if they seem to get distracted. Better yet, see if they can make their own inventions using only things they find on the trail, such as a few rocks, sticks, leaves, etc. Just make sure to put it all back when you leave.

😊 Bring snacks and plenty of fluids. Make sure to stop and drink frequently. Kids may be so interested in their new environment that they don’t realize how thirsty they are. High energy foods and plenty of water will keep them in good spirits.

😊 Dress yourself and your children in layers. Be aware of your child’s body temperature. If you are carrying a child, he or she may be cold while you are burning up. Or conversely, you may feel chilled while your child is warm from running around and playing. If you have several kids, especially ones that may want to run ahead, dress them in bright visible clothing so you can more easily spot them.

😊 Pick a short, interesting hike and allow lots of time. Choose a trail with a destination such as an overlook, waterfall, historic site, stream or lake. Allow them time to investigate interesting things along the way. To start, choose a place close to home so your children don’t get restless on a long drive.

😊 Teach, sing, and play games with your kids. Discuss how long the trail is, trail etiquette, signs of impending weather, how to use a compass and read a map, and how to identify plants and animals.

😊 Safety first. Give each of your kids a small pack with a healthy snack in it as well as a kid-sized water bottle. They may also be old enough to carry their own jacket in the pack. Importantly, put a safety whistle in each pack. (If the kids don’t have their own pack, attach the whistle to a zipper pull.) Review with the kids – each hike – what to do if they should become separated from you. Ensure that they know stay put and blow their whistle in 3 sharp bursts. Sometimes kids “get it” it better if they’re told to use the whistle to “find Mom or Dad” rather than if they’re lost, since being “lost” is not always readily apparent to them. https://bit.ly/3e7Lu65

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Few things can break the natural feel of Tennessee's outdoors quicker than passing someone on a trail that's blasting the latest hit single through a tiny speaker. Don't be that person!
If you enjoy listening to music while you’re hiking and camping, try to monitor how loud it is. When approaching other hikers, turn it down, so that you’re not creating noise pollution. Particularly, please refrain from carrying and blaring portable speakers in the woods. Headphones or earbuds are an alternative, but using them means you will be less aware of your surroundings.

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If you’ve ever stuck your hand under a school desk or accidentally placed your new shoe in a giant wad of sticky gum, you already know that spit-out bubble gum can be pretty gross. What you might not know is that it can also be pretty bad for the environment. Gum litter, along with cigarette butts have become a major source for litter. 80–90% of chewing gum is not disposed of properly and it’s the second most common form of litter after cigarette butts. Chewing gum is made from polymers which are synthetic plastics that do not biodegrade. Littered gum can also make it’s way into the food chain.
Here are some handy tips to help dispose of your gum properly:
🍥 Save the chewing gum wrapper for when you have finished chewing. Use this wrapper to enclose the spent chewing gum until you have access to a trash can.
🍥 Carry a small packet of tissues along with your chewing gum pack. If the chewing gum pack does not have individual wrappers, use a tissue to enclose the spent chewing gum. Dispose of the tissue and spent gum at the next nearest public trash can.
🍥 Most importantly, do not spit gum onto any trail, pavement, sidewalks, streets or parking lots.

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Be polite and courteous! Don’t cut through someone’s campsite to save time, especially at the wee hours of the night. Many campers have motion lights and dogs that will wake the parties. A good idea for moving around a campsite at night is to bring a red light. A red light omits enough light to see, while not enough to wake someone trying to sleep.

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Follow these five simple rules of dog hiking etiquette to help your dog showcase his best manners on the trail. Our pets are a part of our family and we love including them on our outdoor adventures. Remember when hiking with your dog, you’re responsible for your dog’s behavior just as you are for your own behavior.

🐶 Choose A Dog-Friendly Hiking Trail ~
Research the best places to take your dog hiking, and go online or call the ranger station associated with your hiking destination to find out if dogs are allowed on the trails there.

🐶 Abide By The Leash Law ~
Know the leash law for the trail you plan to hike, and honor it.

🐶 Yield Trail Right-Of-Way To All Others When You Hike With Your Dog ~
Simply put, this means get your dog out of the way—beyond the “sniffing” range—of other hikers, horses, and cyclists.

🐶 Tread Gently On The Trail With Your Dog ~
The best rule of thumb: leave all plant and animal life exactly as you found it for others behind you to enjoy.

🐶 Pack Out The Doggy Doo ~
You are responsible for cleaning up your dog’s waste—nobody coming along after you wants to land in it!



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