What are the earmarks of the perfect hike. Well, I imagine that would vary from person to person about as much as what constitutes the perfect pizza. But, the point is if the pizza has the key ingredients that make it enjoyable for us individually then we all like pizza. If a hike includes the essentials that make it enjoyable for each of us then we all will enjoy hiking. Unless, of course, you feel that asphalt and a golf cart are essentials. In which case you have actually moved into something that can no longer be called hiking. So for those who call having to park more than six parking spaces from the front door of Walmart a hike, let me give you some of my essentials of a good hike.

Physically Challenging

I’m not saying anything less than scaling the summit of Mt Everest can’t be classified a hike. I’m just saying for me personally I enjoy hikes that challenge me physically. I like to hike a relaxing trail that meanders up through the countryside, but I really enjoy it if there are some rocks to be scaled in the process.

Spectacular Scenery

If a hike leaves you breathless mentally as well as physically, it’s a hike worth taking. One of the more rewarding aspects of hiking to me is to know that the only way a person can see what I’m seeing is to hike the same trail that I have hiked. There is no shortcut to this view and pictures don’t count.

Solitude

Something lacking in our culture today is the ability to be quiet. To simply take in your surroundings in silence. I love to hike with others and usually do. But I try to hike with those who understand that it’s okay from time to time to just be silent and take in the beauty and tranquility that surround us. Then we resume our conversation and head on towards whatever destination lies ahead.

One of my favorite hikes that encompasses all three of these qualities is to Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park. It starts along the Virgin River and rises quickly from the canyon floor and ascends through Refrigerator Canyon. From there, the switchbacks of Walter’s Wiggles take you to the plateau at Scout’s Landing. The last stretch takes you scrambling up the ridge where only your footing and your grip on the chain keep you secure as you navigate the ridge line some 1000 feet above the valley below. It’s not for the faint of heart. I love it.

Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with a panoramic view of a large portion of Zion National Park. Everyone tries to capture with their camera what they see with their eyes and find the results disappointing. It’s one of those times you try to get a picture but resort to staring in amazement at the beauty and enormity in an effort to absorb all that is that moment. Then you realize some nut is on the rock next to you trying to do yoga. So you let that sink in and resolve to get good at yoga before attempting it in situation such as this.

Not all hikes have to have all of these qualities, but they can be enjoyable nonetheless. In fact, this hike does not always have all of these qualities. For instance, the last time Randi and I did this hike we learned the value of knowing a few key things before doing this hike. Remember what I said about solitude. This is a popular hike and you give up some of that solitude for its other qualities. But this time it seemed a even more crowded than usual. And there was this girl. You know the kind, right? Well, she was a little ways behind us and kept wishing everyone she passed “Happy Birthday.” Strange right? I thought so, too. This was bordering on annoying when I realized she was wishing everyone “Happy Earth Day.”

Makes more sense, but still annoying nonetheless. Annoying that I’m the moron who picked Earth Day to take the most popular hike in one of the most popular national parks. But wait…it gets better. By the time the hike was over, I was convinced that not even Earth Day could account for the traffic we had encountered. It was then I came to a full understanding of why they had not even given my National Park Pass a cursory glance when we entered the park. It was almost like they didn’t care to see it…because they didn’t! They were letting everyone in…FOR FREE. I had chosen to do my favorite hike on Earth Day, on Free National Park Weekend, during the centennial celebration of the National Park Service. So much for solitude!

What are the essentials of your perfect hike? Share them with us. What’s your favorite hike? We’re always in the market for a new favorite hike.

Get outdoors and have a great weekend.

Mike