Hiking in the Ozark Mountains is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature at its finest. There are a few things worth knowing before you set out on your first hike here in the Ozarks though. Just a little preparation can make a big difference in how much you really enjoy your time spent in the forest.

The tips below are intended for 1-4 hour day hikes. You'll need more gear for longer hikes or overnight trips. For some really wonderful information on hiking here in the Ozarks go to Tim Ernst's web site and take a look around, then order some of his great books.

Best Time to Hike the Ozarks:

• October - May
• The bugs are mostly gone and it's cooler outside. Summer is usually much to hot out to enjoy the deep forest areas. You're better off at the swimming holes, lakes and streams in summer time.

Before You Go:

• Tell someone where you're going and when to expect you back.
• Check to see if there is a Hunting Season open before you go out.
• Be sure to apply some "Bug Spray". I use "Repel" bug spray with Lemon Eucalyptus. This works great for ticks and chiggers and seems to do Ok for mosquitoes. Get naked before you leave and do this right. Spray it lightly on all your skin (except your face) and rub it around a little to make sure you're completely covered. You really need to cover ALL your skin. Especially your waistline, between your legs, behind your knees, and under your arms. After you dress, lightly spray a little more on your clothes. If you hike during the beginning or end of the season without using bug spray you're sure to get bit by both ticks and chiggers. If you use the spray like I've mentioned, you shouldn't have too much trouble with bugs.
• Start drinking water before you hike. The water you carry will last longer.

What to Wear:

• If it's cool outside, wear long pants made of heavy denim (Levi's) and layer your shirts starting with a short sleeve tee shirt and a long sleeve over shirt.
• Bring a light weight jacket.
• If it's warm you can wear shorts on the trails without a problem.
• Good shoes are a must, even the groomed trails can be slippery or rough and uneven. I like light weight Hiking Boots but a decent pair of tennis shoes will work fine.
• Wear warm clothes if it's cold. If you layer your clothes you can easily take them off if you get hot, but you don't want to be miles away from your starting point and get tired and cold. I've made a habit of carrying an extra long sleeve shirt when I hike with someone who says they don't need to bring one with them. They always end up wearing it and I don't have to give up my warm clothes or feel guilty.
• If it's Hunting Season wear a Bright Orange vest or jacket and hat. You really want to be seen!

What to Bring:

• Bring enough water for each person hiking with you. I bring at least a quart for even a short hike.
• Bring some food along. Crackers and cheese, beef jerky, an apple, some energy bars or candy bars are all good.
• Bring a camera. Even a cheap camera is better than no camera. It's the times you don't have one with you that you miss the picture.
• Bring a small flashlight. They're fun to have along and I almost always end up using mine.
• Bring some binoculars if you have them. You can pick up some at Wal-Mart now for under $20.00 bucks.
• Bring a good map and compass and practice using them on all your hikes. You'll feel more comfortable having a clue to your whereabouts. You might also want to get a "GPS" unit. I talked my sweet wife into getting me one for Christmas and I really recommend them (both GPS units and wives).
• A "Bic" lighter or waterproof matches.
• A pocket knife.
• A small first aid kit.
• One of those small plastic rain ponchos are always nice to have along.
• Bug Spray (see above)
• You'll need a "Fanny Pack" or "Day Pack" to carry all your stuff.
• Bring a friend if you can find one that will go. It's more fun to share your discoveries. Don't let going alone stop you though, I do it all the time.

What to watch out for:

• Snakes. We got `em here all right. Poisonous snakes are in the woods and waterways. But none of them are looking to bite you. In fact, it's rare you'll even see them. Leave them alone if you do. They will bite if they feel threatened. Be careful when climbing around rocks and boulders, don't stick your hands or feet into rocky crevices, piles of brush and sticks, or behind fallen logs. Snakes like to live in these places and I try to be aware of that when I'm in the forest.
• Ticks and Chiggers. As I mentioned above, use bug spray. If you don't, they'll get you out here.
• Wildlife. It's a good idea to stay away from any wildlife you see. Watch and enjoy them from a distance. We have bear, deer, elk, beaver, otters and lots of other critters that live in our forest and streams. Poking around their dens and burrows can make them pretty mad. Especially if there's a mother with young ones inside. I learned this the hard way from a 30 pound woodchuck who made it very clear that she had a clear title on the hole in the ground I was poking at with a stick. I'm still amazed that I could run so fast. Especially through all those pricker bushes. Did I already mention that you should bring a small medical kit?
• Be careful around cliffs and ledges. They can be slippery, the drop offs can be very steep and it can take a long, long, time to smack the rocks at the bottom (Ouch!).
• Weather. It's always a good idea to check the weather forecast before you go out. If you see some major storms on the way it's best to wait them out. Our local forecasters are pretty accurate around here. I don't let a 25% chance of rain stop me, but a major storm front on the radar sure will. Creeks and Rivers will go from dry to raging water in just a few minutes when there are heavy rains around. You may not even know it's raining upstream when all of a sudden water seems to come from nowhere and fills a dry creek bed.

While you're out there:

• Learn to hike and enjoy the forest without leaving a trace of your being there. No one should ever be able to tell you've been in the woods. Avoid leaving anything at all behind. This includes banana peels, apple cores, cigarette butts, etc. I've heard it a bunch of times, "Bannana peels are organic, they'll decompose fast". That's not true. A bannana peel will last for a lot longer than you think and it will be ugly the whole time it's decomposing.
• Bring a bag with you every now and then and pick up after those who don't follow the above rule. You'll feel good about leaving the forest a little cleaner that you found it.
• Try being quiet. You don't always have to be perfectly quite but if you've never sat quietly for even 1/2 hour in the forest then you're really missing something. I never realized how much the noise I made while hiking impacted the normal routine of forest life until I sat perfectly still for a short while and observed. After a bit all the critters will forget you're there, come out from hiding, and go back to their daily business.
• Hiking off trail is an exciting challange. It's a chance to see places that most people will never see. If you've never hiked off trail then you might consider taking short distance hikes and using trail blazers to mark your trail. Learn to read topographic maps and use them to plan your hikes, then bring them with you.
• Don't over do it. If your only set up for a 1-2 hour hike don't try to stretch it out to an all day event. It's no fun being hungry and cold and 3 miles from your starting point. Take your time and enjoy yourself. Be careful, and be safe.

When your finished:

• Remove all your clothes and place them in the washing machine or a plastic bag until you can wash them. The clothes may have ticks and chiggers on them and they'll chase you around your home trying to bite you if you let them.
• Take a shower and scrub down good. If there are any bugs left on you this will get them off.
• Congratulate yourself! You've got off the couch, away from the computer, and experianced the best the Ozarks have to offer. Now start planning your next trip!