How to Plan a Last Minute Hike without Overthinking it

If the urge to hike hits fast and you’re too busy trying to plan a last minute hike, you might overthink it enough to actually ruin the hike.

Overthinking your hiking plans will definitely kill spontaneous hikes. It’s not necessary, either. It’s good to plan for a hike, but there is no reason to plan so much that it takes away from enjoying the hike in the first place.

The goal of this guide is simple. I want to show you how to plan a last minute hike quickly but still focusing on safety, simplicity, and a stress-free hiking trip. Your hiking plan doesn’t have to be perfect.

Start with This Simple Question: How Much Time Do I Have?

When you plan a last minute hike, you need to consider the amount of time you have to hike. There are two parts of that, usually. Consider the time it takes you to drive and get to the trailhead and the time it takes to do the hike. You don’t want to run out of daylight while on the trail, right?

Try to pick a hike that fits your schedule rather than one that resonates with your ambitions because a schedule-friendly hike is going to be a hundred times better every time.

Shorter hikes are always more satisfying than last minute hikes. How is this true? Because you’re stressing over last minute hikes and that takes the joy away from the actual hiking.

Choose a Trail You Don’t Have to Research to Death

When you need to plan a last minutes hike, go for a trail that’s familiar, popular, local, and well-marked. This way, you don’t have to spend too much time researching it. Time is too precious to waste.

It’s okay to skip deep trail research if it’s an easy enough trail that everyone and their brother has done it thousands of times and has no major issues with it.

If you start getting red flags about a trail in your research, then why not save that trail for another day? Because that trail will require deeper research, your time will be required for that. Focus on easier-to-hike trails for last minute hikes.

Check Only the Essentials (Nothing More)

When you plan a last minute hike, try to just focus on the essentials in terms of safety and being able to finish the hike in time.

First of all, check the weather forecast to know if it’s safe to begin with and what to wear. Check the current weather forecast for the day of the hike. You should also check what the weather forecast will be a few hours later.

Check what time sunset is and then consider your drive time to the trailhead and how long it will take you to hike there and back before sunset.

Try to look for any obvious recent trail alerts that are current. You should also ensure that there are no closures occurring at or near the trails. Check the official website of the trail system if it’s available.

Use the “Always Ready” Gear Rule

At the very least, take the most important gear with you for a quick last minute hike.

Take the 5 most important essential hiking gear items. This includes plenty of water, snacks, comfortable footwear, layers, and your phone (with a charger included). These items are usually all you need for shorter last minute hikes.

You could also have all your gear, water, and food packed and waiting by the door or in your car before you plan a hike, just so you’re ready to go at any time.

Set a Turnaround Plan (Not a Mileage Goal)

One of the most important steps to consider when you plan a last minute hike is to set a turnaround point.

Pick a good time that will allow you to get back to your vehicle before dark. Choose a landmark or energy level as your turnaround point. Don’t hike for distance, hike for being able to make it back on time.

Once you choose a good turnaround point and stick with it, that will significantly reduce stress and decision fatigue because you have made a plan to put into action, as long as you stick to it.

If you’re worried about distance and time, you’re not going to have fun. Why go on a hike if you don’t have fun doing it? If you properly plan a last minute hike focusing on the important parts, the hike might be one of your best hikes ever.

Tell One Person Where You’re Going (Quickly)

Make sure you complete one of the most important safety tips of hiking – telling someone where you are going before you go.

Just send them a text with your itinerary. Give them a quick but full rundown of the trip. Tell them where you’re parking, starting, and ending, and what trails you will be hiking.

You need to make sure they understand the information you’re giving them otherwise, if they have to report you missing, they might not be able to give authorities the right information.

This task takes about 30 seconds to 1-minute to complete. It gives you peace of mind, too. Keep yourself safe by letting someone know where you will be hiking.

Accept that the Hike Doesn’t Have to Be Epic

A last minute hike doesn’t have to be epic because, in most cases , it won’t be epic.

A short hike still counts. Short hikes can give you plenty of stuff to see if you become more open-minded about what to look at in nature. Short hikes are also still a form of exercise.

A short hike still gives you fresh air and steps, and that’s really what matters after all, isn’t it?

Quit thinking about completing bucket list hikes. Instead, consider just being a consistent hiker. You’ll get way more benefits from it, including a healthier lifestyle.

When You Shouldn’t Do a Last Minute Hike

There are some cases you shouldn’t go on a last minute hike at all.

Severe weather is one of those cases. Whether it’s severe thunderstorms or a blizzard, don’t risk your safety for a hike. You’d also be risking the safety of Search and Rescue officials who are trying to locate you if you go missing.

Don’t plan a last minute hike on new-to-you trails, remote areas, or paths that are poorly marked because chances are, you’ll get lost.

Don’t plan a last minute hike if you’re going to be pushing daylight hours. Don’t push your physical limits either because that’s how you get injured out there. Just save the hike for another day and actually enjoy it.

When all else fails, make sure you are doing something that feels right in your gut rather than something that you want to achieve or get better at.

Final Thoughts About How to Plan a Last Minute Hike

Last minute hikes should be about freedom, not failure. The best hikes are the ones you don’t overthink because you get to enjoy all of them. Get outside, adjust as needed, and enjoy the trail.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!