Five-Star Trails: Louisville and Southern Indiana. Valerie Askren
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for a day hike. But any paramedic will tell you that the products listed here—again, in alphabetical order, because all are important—are just the basics. The reality of hiking is that you can be out for a week of backpacking and acquire only a mosquito bite. Or you can hike for an hour, slip, and suffer a bleeding abrasion or broken bone. Fortunately, the items listed pack into a very small space. You may also purchase convenient prepackaged kits at your local outdoor retailer or pharmacy, or online.
Ace bandages or Spenco joint wraps
Adhesive bandages
Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin or the generic equivalent)
Athletic tape
Benadryl or the generic equivalent, diphenhydramine (in case of allergic reactions)
Blister kit (such as Moleskin or Spenco 2nd Skin)
Butterfly-closure bandages
Epinephrine in a prefilled syringe (typically by prescription only, and for people known to have severe allergic reactions to hiking mishaps such as bee stings; check the expiration date)
Gauze (one roll and a half-dozen 4-by-4-inch pads)
Hydrogen peroxide or iodine
Note: Consider your intended terrain and the number of hikers in your party before you exclude any article listed above. A botanical-garden stroll may not inspire you to carry a complete kit, but anything beyond that warrants precaution. When hiking alone, you should always be prepared for a medical need. And if you’re a twosome or with a group, one or more people in your party should be equipped with first-aid material.
General Safety
The following tips may have the familiar ring of Mom’s voice as you take note of them.
Always let someone know where you’ll be hiking and how long you expect to be gone. It’s a good idea to give that person a copy of your route, particularly if you’re headed into any isolated area. Let him or her know when you return.
Always sign in and out of any trail registers provided. Don’t hesitate to comment on the trail condition if space is provided; that’s your opportunity to alert others to any problems you encounter.
Don’t count on a cell phone for your safety. Reception may be spotty or nonexistent on the trail, even on an urban walk—especially one embraced by towering trees or buildings.
Always carry food and water, even for a short hike. And bring more water than you think you’ll need. (We can’t emphasize this enough!)
Ask questions. Public-land employees are on hand to help. It’s a lot easier to solicit advice before a problem occurs, and it will help you avoid a mishap away from civilization when it’s too late to amend an error.
Stay on designated trails. Even on the most clearly marked trails, you usually reach a point where you have to stop and consider in which direction to head. If you become disoriented, don’t panic. As soon as you think you may be off-track, stop, assess your current direction, and then retrace your steps to the point where you went astray. Using a map, a compass, and this book, and keeping in mind what you’ve passed thus far, reorient yourself, and trust your judgment on which way to continue. If you become absolutely unsure of how to continue, return to your vehicle the way you came in. Should you become completely lost and have no idea how to find the trailhead, remaining in place along the trail and waiting for help is most often the best option for adults, and always the best option for children.
Always carry a whistle, another precaution that we can’t overemphasize. It may become a lifesaver if you get lost or hurt.
Be especially careful when crossing streams. Whether you’re fording the stream or crossing on a log, make every step count. If you have any doubt about maintaining your balance on a log, ford the stream instead: use a trekking pole or stout stick for balance and face upstream as you cross. If a stream seems too deep to ford, turn back. Whatever is on the other side isn’t worth risking your life for.
Be careful at overlooks. While these areas may provide spectacular views, they are potentially hazardous. Stay back from the edge of outcrops, and make absolutely sure of your footing—a misstep can mean a nasty and possibly fatal fall.
Standing dead trees and storm-damaged living trees pose a significant hazard to hikers. These trees may have loose or broken limbs that could fall at any time. While walking beneath trees, and when choosing a spot to rest or enjoy your snack, look up!
Know the symptoms of subnormal body temperature, or hypothermia. Shivering and forgetfulness are the two most common indicators of this stealthy killer. Hypothermia can occur at any elevation, even in the summer, especially when the hiker is wearing lightweight cotton clothing. If symptoms develop, get to shelter, hot liquids, and dry clothes ASAP.
Likewise, know the symptoms of heat exhaustion, or hyperthermia. Lightheadedness and loss of energy are the first two indicators. If you feel these symptoms, find some shade, drink your water, remove as many layers of clothing as practical, and stay put until you cool down. Marching through heat exhaustion leads to heatstroke—which can be deadly. If you should be sweating and you’re not, that’s the signature warning sign. Your hike is over at that point: heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that can cause seizures, convulsions, and eventually death. If you or a companion reaches that point, do whatever you can to cool down, and seek medical attention immediately.
Most importantly, take along your brain. A cool, calculating mind is the single most important asset on the trail. Think before you act. Watch your step. Plan ahead. Avoiding accidents before they happen is the best way to ensure a rewarding and relaxing hike.
Watchwords for Flora & Fauna
Hikers should remain aware of the following concerns regarding plant life and wildlife, described in alphabetical order.
MOSQUITOES Ward off these pests with insect repellent and/or repellent-impregnated clothing. Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt may offer your best protection. In general, mosquitoes are at their worst during spring and early summer. In warm weather, mosquitoes typically hatch four to six days after significant rainfall. However, recent mild winters in the Louisville area have extended the mosquito season to basically whenever nighttime temperatures don’t dip below freezing for a prolonged period of time. When examining your hiking options, consider the presence of low-lying areas (including wetlands) and bodies of water such as lakes and ponds, which may provide a breeding ground for those little minions of evil. In some areas, mosquitoes are known to carry the West Nile virus, so take extra care to avoid their bites. Several cases of West Nile are reported in Jefferson and surrounding counties each year.
POISON IVY, OAK, & SUMAC Recognizing and avoiding poison ivy, oak, and sumac are the most effective ways to prevent the painful, itchy rashes associated with these plants. Poison ivy occurs as a vine or groundcover, three leaflets to a leaf; poison oak occurs as either a vine or shrub, also with three leaflets; and poison sumac flourishes in swampland, each leaf having 7–13 leaflets. Urushiol, the oil in the sap of these plants, is responsible for the rash. Within 14 hours of exposure, raised lines and/or blisters will appear on your skin, accompanied by a terrible itch. Try to refrain from scratching, though, because bacteria under your fingernails can cause an infection.
Wash and dry the affected area thoroughly, applying calamine lotion to help dry out the rash. If the itching or blistering is severe, seek medical attention. To keep from spreading the misery to someone else, wash not only any exposed parts of your body but also any oil-contaminated clothes, hiking gear, and pets. Again, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt may offer the best protection.
SNAKES Rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, copperheads, and corals are among the most common venomous snakes in the United States, and their hibernation season is typically October–April. But despite their fearsome reputation, rattlesnakes like to bask in the sun and won’t bite unless threatened.
You will possibly encounter the copperhead while hiking