Guide – HykLyt

Land Navigation For Hikers

Terrain Association Via Topographic Map

Terrain association is a comparison of what you can see in real life and matching that with your map. The best terrain association develops when you’re able to locate specific ridges and mountain tops on your map thanks to what are called topographic maps .

With a topographic map you’ll be able to triangulate your location rather easily; simply by finding the largest landmarks around you. A tall rock formation, a tree line, or a riverbed can help you determine which way you need to go.

Topographic maps add contour lines where a regular atlas does not. You’re able to quickly find hotspot locations thanks to how much easier it is to follow the pathing when curvature and depth have been added to a map, unlike the paper maps you’ll come across at every travel center.

There will be multiple colors for different contour lines. These colors will represent a different level of “steepness” and when you have more than one contour line following the same path you can expect a very steep ridge.

Check the map legend for elevation measurements on contour lines.

After having a topographic map, you’ll see that your compass apps are a bit lackluster in comparison. There are apps such as AllTrails Pro that have some topographic features built into it, but those cost a subscription to continue to utilize.

So, How Do You Perform Land Navigation?

In its truest form, land navigation is done with a protractor tool, a 1:25,000 full color topographic map, and a compass that doesn’t stick.

The protractor would be used to encapsulate a radius and that radius would be laid out multiple times, plotting the landmarks along the way, until you reach your destination.

However, for the hiker’s land nav, all you need to do is practice your pace, and familiarize yourself with the direction you’re wanting to travel.

Practicing Your Pace

You’ll want to have a full understanding of how far your pace gets you while hiking. For many, 100 steps is equal to one Klik, or kilometer. A kilometer is also equal to a little over half a mile (0.62 mile/3280 feet).

How do you tell when you’re planning a klik off of eyesight alone?

When you are in the wilderness, a klik is usually going to be what you can clearly see along your horizon. Not the furthest back on the horizon, but the closest horizon object you can make out without any problem. On a clear day, with nothing blocking your view, a person can clearly see roughly 3 miles. So, if you are on flat ground and can see all the way to the curvature of your horizon line, then divide that out by six and there’s your klik!

Remember that terrain will affect your pace. It takes, on average, 100 steps to reach a kilometer on flat land, but if you’re heading uphill you can count on 120 steps, and if you’re heading downhill, you can reduce it to 90 steps.

Plotting Your Kliks

After you have a good understanding of what your pace looks like you can use the legend on your map to estimate how far your destination is, and how many kliks you will be trekking. The map-key should have a mile or half mile stretch measured on the legend of the map.

Use those half mile stretches to get a base understanding of which landmarks you should be able to see at each klik plot point. Then plot the point at these landmarks.

If you travel your first kilometer and reach your landmark, then check the horizon for your next landmark, rinse and repeat, then you’ve now learned how to Land Nav!

The Best Land Nav Checkpoints

You’re going to do a lot better with your land navigation skills if you learn to seek out the best plot points on your map.

The best land nav checkpoints are going to be rivers & streams, ridges, valleys, roads, trail crossings and railroads.

The second best land nav checkpoints will be elevation changes such as hills, cliffs, and spurs.

Now That You Are Ready To Practice Your Land Nav Skills

Keep in mind that you should have tie-offs in your pack. For survival purposes, if you are using land nav to get to safety, or find a source of water, use tie-offs on tree branches every few hundred feet to help guide your way back, if needed.

If you’re just out exploring and going for a trek, remember that the best thing for the great outdoors, is to leave no trace!

This post was written by Evan

Things To Think About While Hiking The Desert

Hiking the desert can be one of the most rewarding experiences. It can also be one of the most relentlessly unforgiving experiences if not planned properly. Here, I’ll list a few things to consider before you face the sandy terrain.

*This image is enhanced, but you will find some amazing stargazing, even to the naked eye, if you’re okay with the isolation of the desert at night, that is.*

Howling Winds

Try to plan your routes on a day to day basis, moving with the wind. Hiking into and against the grain (literally) is not optimal.

You wouldn’t think about howling sounds in the middle of the desert, but you will certainly hear them. It’s wind. And the wind sounds more wild than the wildlife sometimes. As wind picks up speed with very little to block it’s path, it creates a whistling and tonal noise throughout the skies. This can sound like a ghost howling. When you’re in the middle of nowhere, that’s the last thing you feel like hearing. Do not fret! It’s normal. Also, do fret, it’s blowing sand into your equipment!

Keeping safe from the wind is important. Many people don’t take into consideration the wind speeds when they first start learning to hike, climb, or camp. Wind speeds cause windchill and windchill cause dry and irritated skin, cracking, or more serious injuries. Take a buff with you to protect your face. Goggles can really come in handy as well, but that is something I would only pack for a desert specific trip (I keep as light as possible).

The takeaway: Be prepared to dress for the occasion. The desert is known for being hot, but that isn’t always the case. Windchill can happen in any climate and this windchill also carries sand along with it, which could result in some irritation. I suggest utilizing a balaclava, neck-gaiter, or buff with eyewear to protect form the winds of the desert.

Dancing Sands

Sand is… well… a nuisance. I’ve been to parts of the world where you could see walls of sand similar to the picture above rushing your way, allowing you ample time to prepare for it to hit. Dust and sandstorms can pop up seemingly out of nowhere, though. Having a quick setup shelter, such as the tent I use in my Backpacking Gear List, will ensure you’re capable of getting coverage when and where you truly need it.

The takeaway: Sand can become bothersome. To avoid this I typically stow my gear under a v-shaped entryway to my tent. Many backpacking tents come with this option built in by unzipping the entrance and rolling one side, securing it to the frame. My tent is an ultralight quick setup framed NEMO. You’re not going to be able to block all of the sand that’s out there, but it’s a whole lot more comfortable if you’re not dealing with an excessive amount. Waking up and having to brush sand away from all of your stuff makes for a rough start to your morning.

Unrelenting Rainstorms

Rain doesn’t fall often in the desert, but when it does, it really rains. I was in the Middle East the first time I experienced a “rainy season” in a desert. The scarcity of plants in a desert does not mean it doesn’t get water, it just means the water doesn’t stand a chance of permeating the soil. The reason for this? Evaporation.

The heat that beams down on deserts is far too hot for the water to hold for very long. This is because there is oftentimes no cloud coverage to protect the water from the suns’ UV rays, essentially cooking the water out of the sand.

The takeaway: Although you’ll be preparing for desert backpacking, you can’t assume the weather will be always warm and sunny. As much as we’d all like to spend some time sunbathing like a lizard, it’s best to be prepared by packing some lightweight rain gear. I wouldn’t bother bringing Gore-Tex equipment unless you’re making up the weight difference by reducing how many thermals you pack. This opinion is only due to my constant want to shave ounces in my pack. Whichever you decide, make sure you have some warm gear, whether that’s Gore-Tex materials or thermals. The deserts do become cold as well, especially at night.

*Monsoon-type rainstorms can occur in the desert.*

Perfect Packouts

Packing light for desert hikes is the best way to setup your pack. I’ve posted about ultralight weight upgrades to gear previously so I will link that post here just in case anyone is interested in further preparation for a desert trip.

Plants To Know About

Desert plants do not mess around when it comes to defense mechanisms. They protect themselves with sharp spines, hardened shells, and even toxins at times. It is important to know about plants that may help you, instead of hurt you. Here, I’ll list a few of those plants. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, and these plants are not found in every desert environment. It’s important to plan ahead and research the plants and environment of the desert you plan to traverse.

Pinyon Pine – provide an edible seed, nicknamed “pine nuts”. These seeds are high in calories and actually quite tasty!

Agave – provide leaves, flower stalks, flowers, and seeds that are all edible.

Prickly Pear Cactus – provide an edible flat, green pad, and plenty of sugars within.

*In some places prickly pear is fried to eat. In the desert, it can be lifesaving.*

Juniper – provide wood and fiber for fire making and hunting equipment.

*Use the wood for “A-frame” shelters and fire making*, *also, the leaves are great as slow burning fire-starters.*

Animals & Critters

*UV rays can cause scorpions to glow at night. If you see a creepy-crawly that’s glowing, watch for the sting!*

Rattlesnake: venomous and deadly, avoid if possible. They do give off a warning with the rattle, but most of the deadly bites have come from complacency in the wild. Stay alert! They tend to leave humans alone so long as we aren’t crossing them.

*Rattlesnakes are mostly found in the southwestern region of the United States.*

Gala Monster: These are the most venomous lizard in the upper Mexico/southwestern United States regions. They have an extremely potent venom and lightning-fast strikes.

*These lil’ dudes will stick their tongue out at you as if adding insult to injury.*

Wild dogs: mostly in Australia or Africa, the desert packs of dingoes are known to hunt and attack humans when hungry.

*An African species of wild dogs; for you hunters out there; please don’t, these cute friends are endangered!*

Cougars: also known as mountain lions, these big cats are precise, stealthy, and extremely fast. They have a brute strength to them as well thanks to all of that muscle. These are mostly found within the western-US regions.

Killer Bees: Today, Africanized honey bees are found in southern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, western Louisiana, southern Arkansas, and central and southern Florida. These guys can sting, and keep stinging, so don’t poke the bees nest!

A Final Word

The desert can be such a unique experience that I would suggest anyone to go. If you do, just make sure you’re prepared for it. Take your med-kits, bite-kits, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Thank you all for reading!

What About Hydration?

This post doesn’t specifically cover tips about hydration, however, it’s the number one rule while you’re in the desert. To learn more about proper hydration techniques, click in this link, which will take you to one of my former posts with a hydration section.

This post was written by Evan.

***Click here to learn more about HykLyt!***

Hiking The Columbia River Gorge Via Eagle Creek Trail

The signature trailhead for the Columbia River Gorge is the Eagle Creek Trail. This trail is famous for its lush forest scenery and a hiking path that takes you through a waterfall. Yes, through a waterfall! Many trails offer views of the falls but nothing quite like this. Walking through what is known as “Tunnel Falls” gives you the exciting sounds of rushing water, the breathtaking views from the elevation gain, and the elemental feel that Oregon has to offer.

*The Tunnel Falls exit, a hike through a waterfall!*

Speaking of the elements, be sure to check the trail conditions before planning this hike. The trail is located in an area where icy weather is very possible, and, as a polar opposite, forest fires. You can see the trail conditions in the link below:

Eagle Creek Pass Weather Conditions

This trail is at risk of natural storms, high amounts of ice buildup, and forest fires, so it’s best to check the closures notifications as well. You may check the trail closure announcements here:

National Park Service Notice of Trail Closures and Conditions: Eagle Creek

The Trail

Hiking the Eagle Creek trail can be a very short trip of just 4.2 miles if you’re only doing the quick version of the hike. If you are wanting a quick, but moderate-difficulty day hike, this is your place to go. However, many people travel to Oregon to see the Columbia River Gorge because the the trip can be extended to a multi-day backpacking hike of 26.6 miles.

This is what brings me here. I currently live in the Midwest, so I wouldn’t be itching to travel to a hike that’s not worth the time. Believe me when I say, if you’re into thru-hiking and want a good training area, or if you simply want a trail that’s not packed with people, and it also offers the capability to setup camp in the wilderness, then Eagle Creek will not let you down.

How To Get There

If you’ve read my other post about planning a backpacking trip, then you’d know I highly suggest booking an Airbnb or hotel stay within 3 hours from your destination. In the morning it’ll be much easier to drive that final bit if you’ve travelled by car. Backpacking can be one of those things that make for less sleep depending on what type of environment you end up dealing with when you’re spending the night with Mother Nature. So, personally, I like to start off on the right foot *queue applause for corny joke*.

*The bridges on this trail offer amazing views.*

If you travel by plane. Portland is where you’ll be flying into anyhow, so I still offer the same perspective. Sometimes, my suggestion would change based on driving or flying, but, this is not one of those times.

For example: if driving to the Rocky Mountains, my wife and I found a nice little cabin in Stratton and also the city of Castle Rock was quite beautiful. If flying, then Denver is the place to stay.

I don’t get any commission for this, I just want my readers to know that there are options out there. I’ve stayed in some Airbnbs that were really nice, and I’ve stayed in some that were very sketchy. So, if you don’t mind spending a little extra, sometimes a nice hotel is a better pick in my personal opinion. Here’s a quick glance at what the prices look like per night in Portland, OR on Airbnb:

*Airbnb stays are available in the Portland area if you’re interested in visiting while planning your hike through Eagle Creek.*

*Eagle Creek trailhead is a 46 minute drive from Portland. If it’s your first time in Oregon, I highly suggest taking in the urban scenery the city has to offer either before or after your hike.*

Once you’ve planned your stay, you can get to Eagle Creek via Uber, Lyft, Shuttle, or driving. There is a parking fee if you park at the trailhead. There is also an Eagle Creek campsite that you can utilize for a fee. If you have the National Park Pass, then it’s free to enter the campsite, but you’ll still need to pay your parking fee per car. Do not attempt to park along the roadside or you will be towed.

How To Complete The Hike

You’ve got options:

It’s 4 miles to Punchbowl Falls

It’s 6.5 miles to High Bridge

It’s 12 miles to Tunnel Falls

It’s 26.6 miles to Wahtum Lake

The thing about The Columbia River Gorge is that waterfalls are concentrated in this area. There is a five mile stretch that contains 13 waterfalls. The highest waterfall available will be Twister Falls and it rises to 140 feet. So, if you’re looking for amazing waterfalls to hike to, this is one of the places to be!

*Don’t venture too far off of trail without placing markers, the woods in Oregon are dense and can begin to “blend” (looking the same the further you travel*, *risking navigation confusion).*

Completing this hike will require a couple of days so be prepared to setup camp. Wilderness campsites are not pre-plotted here, so if you hike past the 12 mile mark you’ll likely be able to find an area to yourself. There are crowds at the trailhead if you go during “busy hours” but as you hike further out they start to thin out until you find yourself only running into other hikers every now and then. Wilderness camping truly requires you to be prepared so if you need additional information on this you can read my blog post about planning your first backpacking trip.

Reminder: ice crystals form easily in the humidity out here. If the temperatures are expected to drop below freezing while you’re out on the trail, be prepared for it!

For safety, there are cables to hold onto on the high-drop off areas. It’s rainy and muddy in the Pacific Northwest, so watch your step! Trekking poles may get in the way of hanging onto the cable system when needed. A hiking pole may be more trail-friendly in this particular setting.

There are six campsites throughout the trail. You can find the main one here, along with links to the additional, smaller campgrounds available.

Side note: this is an out and back trail.

*You’ll start to see dynamic views as you climb. The best views are always from the top!*

What Gear To Take

I am very fond of traveling light. That includes when I’m backpacking. I don’t just travel light, I travel ultralight. It’s really the best way to backpack and hike. You can conserve energy, make it much further between rest areas, and need for less water.

I have a guide on ultralight equipment. Click here to read the post.

Eagle Creek Park Maps

Lastly, I want to post a couple of trail maps for you. These maps are just of the public park areas but are useful when you’re in the tourist-area.

*Photo credit: Eagle Creek Park Foundation*

Before closing out this post I want to mention the AllTrails app has the capability to download routes before going. This allows you to pull up your location and see where you need to go to get back to the trail if you become lost, even without cell phone reception.

Closing

If you’re looking for a beautiful escape into the wild, Eagle Creek can definitely offer you an amazing experience.

Hopefully, this blog article has helped you with getting more info on Eagle Creek to better plan your stay and help you to have an enjoyable hiking experience.

Tag: Guide