PACKWOOD, Wash. — We met Tami Asars, the author of "Day Hiking Mount Rainier" and "Hiking the Wonderland Trail", at Tipsoo Lake in Mount Rainier National Park to get a refresher on etiquette we should all be using while enjoying our Northwest trails.
Tip #1 - Obey the ‘Stay on the Trail’ signs, and in sensitive areas, like around wilderness lake shores, stay on the trail even when there are no signs.
“You do want to be aware of your footprints and where you're walking. There's some absolutely gorgeous flowers blooming right now. It's kind of the peak of the wildflower season, and we just want to make sure we're doing our part to not disturb the natural vegetation,” said Asars, pointing out a fuzzy Western anemone that looks like something out of a Dr. Suess book. “It's like a bloom you can groom. And it would be awesome in a bouquet, but not the best idea, because those sweet little seed pods need to regerminate and bloom again next year. So, we'll let it be and admire it from afar. But it does look like '80s rock star band hair.”
Tip #2 – Hikers heading up have the right-of-way on a trail.
“Have you ever been on a narrow hiking trail and wondered when you meet another hiker coming down who has the right-of-way? Well, in this case, I have it right away," said Asars who was headed uphill. Technically, it's me, because I'm going uphill and I'm huffing and puffing harder trying to get to the summit."
Tip #3 – Bring no Bluetooth.
Asars says any amplified sound on the trail is a no-go. Headphones are fine, but don’t let listening to music distract you from your surroundings and safety. Besides, “We have the beautiful soundtrack of nature, right?”
Tip #4 – Don’t be a trail TP bandit.
"When nature calls. don't be that guy,” said Asars, pointing to one of the many wads of toilet paper that seem to ‘bloom’ along popular trails.
“Instead, pack your toilet paper out with you. Or dig a cat hole at least 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200ft away from streams, lakes and trails,” she said.
Also, you’ll get hiking karma bonus points for bringing along some dog-poop bags and picking up the litter other people leave behind on the trail.
Tip #5 – When it’s time for lunch, don’t share with the wildlife. “No matter how cute they look.”
Tip #6 – Remember all of the above advice is to keep these areas pristine for our own enjoyment, and future generations. "The number one rule of all of this is to have fun," Asars said. "Mother Nature is magical and awesome!”
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