A forecast you can live with for a few days
One sunny afternoon is not a backpacking forecast. Read every night you will be out, then pack and pick the route for the worst one.
Pack for the worst night
You will still be out there after the nice start is over. Read the forecast for every night you plan to sleep on the trail.
A sunny walk in, followed by two wet nights, is a different trip from three dry days. Pack the sleeping bag for the colder, wetter night.
The cold-night rules are the same as car camping, except you cannot walk back to the car. Match the bag and sleeping pad to the coldest night. Bring clothes that can stay dry even if you get wet during the day.
Wind on a pass, or at a camp with no trees, wears you out in a way a valley forecast hides. If the nights look windy, camp lower and in the trees. Stake the tent out before you cook. A good afternoon on the day you arrive is not a reason to ignore the rest of the trip.
Rain changes the route
Rain over several days makes roots slippery. Creeks you planned to step across can rise. The flat spot you marked for camp can fill with water.
If the forecast is wet, pick a shorter loop. Give yourself a way back to the trailhead on the second day. Camp away from dips where water runs. If the forecast is dry and steady, you can spend the extra effort on the scenic miles.
Fire bans and other alerts are a reason to call or check the ranger office before you leave. A trip with a stove and a trip built around a campfire are not the same trip.
Permits, bear rules, and a bridge that is out are separate from the weather. Check those too.
What earns a spot in the pack
Bring insulation for the coldest night. Bring a rain jacket you have worn in real rain. Bring a way to keep the sleeping bag dry if the day is wet. Bring extra socks.
Bring a layer for camp. When you stop walking, the warmth from hiking disappears. A hot day and a cold night can happen on the same trip. Carry clothes for both. Leave the extra shirt at home.
Outside Plan looks across the days at rain, overnight temperature, wind on open ground, and alerts. Read the reasons for each night before you decide how far to go.
More guides
- Reading the forecast before a hike
- What the night will be like in camp
- When a bike ride is worth starting
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