Clear Skies Can Be Deceptive. Here's How to Manage the Unexpected Dangers of Summer Hikes

There's a specific moment at the start of summer when the trails become completely irresistible. The morning sun finally has some real warmth to it, a clean breeze takes the edge off the heat, and the sky drops that dull, rainy gray color it has been wearing for weeks. It feels like the safest, most forgiving time of year to get lost in the woods. And while we instinctively respect the dangers of winter hiking, where untouched snow poses obvious threats like hypothermia and frostbite, the volatile mountain snowmelt of spring and the beloved warmth of summer trick us into letting our guard down.

But hot-weather trekking comes with its own hidden hazards, from loose trail erosion ground down by peak-season crowds to sudden afternoon thunderstorms that cause excess water that can be absorbed by the dry, hard-baked summer dirt.

Continue reading to learn more about managing the unexpected dangers of summer hikes, written by Madison Freeman.