Outdoor Lore for Hikers

What does an old fashioned term like "outdoor lore" have to do with hiking?

Hmmmm... some women like to hike strictly for the fresh air and exercise. Getting up and down the trail at warp speed is what it's all about, in order to gain the maximum workout.

Others enjoy the social aspect of shared time on the trail.

Or sometimes it feels good just to to soak up some solitude.

No matter which type of hiker you are, you will be bumping into (sometimes literally) an amazing variety of animals, beautiful flowers, weird rock formations, interesting cloud patterns, gorgeous butterflies, and who knows what else?

And sometimes, they have a message for you that can impact your hiking trip. For example, if you see certain rock types, you might be able to find some fossils.

Or if you spot lenticular clouds forming, you might want to reconsider your turn-around time.

And then there are the folks like me, who just like to know the names of things. That's what lures me onto the trail every time. Who knows what I might see on my next outdoor adventure?

For general purposes, here's a list of hiking field guides you can use to get started.

And here's a list of specific outdoor knowledge resources to help you gain familiarity with everything that you'll encounter on your hikes.

REPTILES

INSECTS

STAR GAZING

WEATHER

EMERGENCY SHELTER

Had enough outdoor lore? Return to the home page for more hiking options.