April brings rain, fresh flowers and hiking.
Rain hiking is excellent. I know, it’s soggy, your clothes get wet and cold… It’s not true!
Here are 10 Tips For Enjoying a Rain Hike:

1- Don’t wear cotton. It gets wet and stays wet. It get heavy and cold and awful.
2- Eat before you hike. Not a huge meal. Calories = heat. Pack a treat too.
3- Don’t stop. Keep moving.

Random Tibetan Prayer Mound above Salt Lake City. A hidden rain hike treasure.

4- Keep out the wind. A nice shell jacket is a must for the trail.
5- Use a hydration pack. Don’t expose your hands. Keep the water coming, just put it on your back.
6- Avoid vegetation constantly brushing against your legs. If you can’t, buy light rain pants.
7- Wear boots.
8- Love nature. There’s no need to brave a torrential downpour. Enjoy yourself.
9- Hot tea at the end of the trail. Provision a thermos with some hot tea as a hike treat.

10- Stretching keeps you limber and aids blood flow. Blood flow = warmth.

You may be rewarded with a vivid rainbow or elegantly drizzled spider webs. Don’t be afraid to bring your camera in a plastic bag to capture the inevitable splendor of vacant trails with hidden sights, sounds and smells.

Here’s my last rain hike find:

See, rain hikes ARE awesome

Written by staff writer: Sara Howe

Sara Howe enjoys rain hiking to and from hot springs in Utah and Idaho. Pack a suit, there’s a good chance you’ll run into her somewhere on the trail this spring.