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Is Your Car Ready For Summer Hiking Trips?

June 9, 2022 by Adeina Anderson Leave a Comment

Successful Hiking Trips

A selfie at Glacier Park. Photo: Adeina Anderson

Getting your car ready is the first step to a successful hiking trip.

Last year, I decided to get healthy and explore this beautiful country I live in. Hiking Glacier Park was top on my hiking trips list, but I knew I needed to prepare myself for a hike this big. I had no idea how many things needed to be done to prepare for the trip. And I had to get my car ready, too!

There is more that goes into it than just changing the oil. Your car is not just transportation, it’s also storage and it may be your refuge. So the need to think ahead to all the possibilities is a key step for preparing for those bucket list hikes.

What You Need to Consider to Prep Your Car for a Hiking Trip

Since you’ll be off the beaten path you need to think of all the possibilities of where you’re going, what you’ll be doing and what the weather and terrain will be like. As you think through your trip, here are the realities you should prepare for:

Related: Ideas for the ideal family road trip + a playlist to get you there! 

Successful Hiking Trips

Hiking gear ready to go in my trunk. Photo: Adeina Anderson

Pack Everything You’ll Need, With Accessibility Based On Priority 

Packing the vehicle is almost as important as what you bring. You want to be able to get to the necessary items when you need them, but how do you know what that will be? The first aid kit, your backpack, and your jackets and shoes should be first and foremost accessible at all times. Things that you don’t plan to use like blankets, candles and extra water can be packed away under the things you know you’ll need.

hiking trips

A snow selfie! Photo: Adeina Anderson

Must Haves To Have in the Car

  • First aid kit
  • Jumper cables or car battery charger (the latter is best)
  • Hand wipes and sanitizer
  • Hiking poles
  • Warming blanket
  • A gallon of water per person
  • Snacks, healthy and salty
  • Jackets for cool and very cold weather
  • Matches and candle
  • Kitty litter if you are going into snowy conditions
  • Extra shoes/socks/boots
  • Extra set of clothes

Related: Is AAA worth it? Reasons to consider joining the auto club.

Successful Hiking Trips

I love how my Jeep Wrangler easily gets us to our hiking destinations. Photo: Adeina Anderson

Things Not to Forget For a Successful Hiking Trip

My first trip out was a huge eye-opener. I researched what I would need on a hiking trip, but you really do need so much more then you think.

  • Baseball cap or winter hat
  • Comfortable clothes – this includes shoes, pants, shirts, socks, and underwear, trust me, it’s all very important
  • Bear spray – I hope you never have to use it, but always have it.
  • Bug repellent – you will want A LOT of this.
  • Sunscreen – get it and wear it all the time.
  • Hydration tablets – these are great for those hikes that are way longer then you thought they were.
  • Backpack – obviously you need this, and be sure to get a comfortable one that has a chest strap.
  • Hiking bladder – these actually help you stay hydrated by allowing you to drink water as you walk.

Related: Travel trips for fur babies…so you don’t have to leave your best pals at home!  

Prepare Your Vehicle For Successful Hiking Trips

Knowing where you are on the trail is key. Photo: Adeina Anderson

Avoid Getting Lost and Prepare for the Terrain

Always let someone know where you are. There are apps that can track your location and in the worst case, you should have friends who can track you on their phone so someone always knows where you are.

And know what to expect from the terrain and weather. Good shoes, and an extra pair shoes, are a must for any hike, but also be sure to have a jacket you can put on as it gets colder or wrap around your waist if it gets hot. A good hat is a plus to protect your head from the sun, and bugs.

successful Hiking Trips

Dirty hands after making a repair in my car while hiking in Oregon.

You’re Going To Get Your Hands Dirty

Anything can happen on a road trip or hike. Of course, one hopes that it’s a fun and exciting excursion, but you never know when you will have to make some minor car repairs (like I did on my last trip). Hiking usually takes you into the woods, the mountains, or along the water, so there are a few must-haves. For example, always have a first aid kit! I cannot express this enough. It is so important. Here are some other things you’ll want to have in the car.

Hiking Trips

With my best companion on a hike. Photo: Adeina Anderson

Remember To Have Fun

I always tell people to be prepared when going on an adventure. Whether it is a short hike or a 10 day, 10 state trip like the one we took, make sure you have what you need. Remember, if you’re prepared you’ll be ready to have fun. Happy Hiking!

With a little planning, you can prepare your car, and yourself, for a successful and fun hiking trip this summer!

  • Bio
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Adeina Anderson

Adeina Anderson

For over a decade, lifestyle expert Adeina Anderson has been a nationally trusted source of information on travel tips, DIY projects, and lifestyle ideas. Sharing the best places to travel with kids and pets, easy and fun home décor projects, holiday crafts, tips on party planning ideas, easy to make recipes, and DIY projects for millions of television viewers and newspaper, magazine and web readers. Adeina is the resident lifestyle expert for many lifestyle talk shows around the country on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX and she has been featured nationally on The Live Well Network and represents some of America’s most trusted companies.
Adeina Anderson

Latest posts by Adeina Anderson (see all)

  • Is Your Car Ready For Summer Hiking Trips? - June 9, 2022
  • Jeep Shares Exciting News, Outdoors and In! - April 14, 2022
  • Traveling with a Pet: Cars and Car Seats for Dogs to Fit Fido’s Style - March 27, 2022

Filed Under: Road Trip, She Drives, Travel Tips Tagged With: hiking trips

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