Not long ago, we were chatting with someone who mentioned getting caught in a lightning storm on a hike. When we asked which weather forecast they checked, the answer was a sheepish, “Uh… none?” Yikes!
Properly planning for a hike is about setting yourself up for success in the outdoors. A well-thought-out plan helps you avoid surprises, from unexpected trail closures to sudden changes in weather.
Luckily, no one was injured on this hike, but it easily could have ended differently. Trip planning means you’re not leaving your adventure to chance—you’re making smart decisions that keep you safe. All it takes is some practice and a bit of attention to detail, and before long, you’ll wonder how you ever set out without it.
Here’s how to nail it:
- Plan your route
First up: planning your route. And no, this doesn’t mean scrolling through your favourite hiking app, picking a random GPS track, and calling it a day. A GPS track is not trip planning. Sure, it can be a useful tool, but some of those tracks can lead you into dangerous areas, onto private property, or worse—onto trails that only a mountain goat would be comfortable navigating.
Use a variety of resources to plan your route and understand the real-world features you’ll encounter along your hike. Here are some suggestions:
- topographic maps
- guide books
- apps like Gaia GPS and Caltopo
- online blogs from experienced hikers (for example, Hiking With Par is a good one)
| Do you want to improve your backcountry navigation skills? Our Wilderness Navigation Course teaches you how to navigate on and off trail in the mountains, how to use a compass, how to read a topographic map, and much more. It’s a foundational course that will increase your confidence in the outdoors and improve your skills to explore the backcountry safely and independently. |
Familiarize yourself with the terrain—what’s the elevation gain? What’s the difficulty? Are there exposed sections, river crossings, or tricky scrambles? What’s the best bailout point if the weather turns nasty? Plot your course with insight and strategy, not just by following a dotted line.
To make sure your trek doesn’t cross private property, check landowner maps and government websites. Here are some resources:
- Hiking in the Castle Parks? Check out this map.
- Internet mapping tool for recreation areas in Alberta.
- Georeferenced map of the Livingstone Public Land Use Zone.
Calculate your trip time
It’s also important to have an idea of how long your trip will take. A good rule of thumb is planning 1 hour for every 3 kilometres for summer on-trail trips. To that, add 1 hour for every 300 metres of elevation gain. If you descend another 300 metres in elevation, that counts as neutral.
- Check for advisories or closures
Closures and advisories occur regularly due to various factors like wildlife activity, weather conditions and fire bans, or trail maintenance. By staying informed, you can avoid unexpected hazards and plan your route accordingly – avoiding the walk of shame back to your vehicle.
Always check the current advisories before heading out. Here are some important sites to reference:
- Pick a reliable weather forecast
And no, The Weather Network is not a reliable weather forecast for outdoor adventuring. While it’s a good resource to get a general sense of the weather, you’re going to want something a little more dialed in than what they offer.
In this blog post, we dive deeper into four mountain weather apps and tools you can use to plan your adventure. Mountain Forecast is one of our favourite tools to rely on when trip planning – read our tips for using it.
SpotWx is another really powerful and accurate weather tool we like to use for same-day trips. The day before or morning of your hike (or both!), select the RAP model to see information around freezing levels, cloud coverage, wind speed, precipitation and temperature, and lots of other useful insights.
Remember: no weather forecast has 100% accuracy. But being as informed as possible equips you to make safer, more responsible decisions in unpredictable conditions.
- Time of year matters
Seasonal changes can really impact your trip planning.
In the fall, keep an eye on the freeze level. This time of year, it can be raining at the trailhead, but as you start to gain elevation, that rain could turn to sleet or even snow. Each of these conditions demands its own risk management strategy and gear.
In the winter, check the avalanche forecast before heading out:
- Avalanche Canada provides information on danger ratings, closure zones, mountain conditions, and more.
- Gaia GPS has an avalanche forecast for the U.S. and Canada (using Avalanche Canada information).
- Parks Canada posts avalanche information for Waterton Lakes National Park.
In summer, don’t forget to check for wildlife activity, smoke conditions from wildfires, and water levels if you’re crossing any creeks or rivers.
- Alberta Fire Bans is a great resource for wildfire information in Alberta and for British Columbia, check the BC Wildfire Service.
- Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard is another great resource to understand wildfire activity.
- FireSmoke Canada is great for smoke forecasts and fire conditions.
- Water levels and forecasts can be viewed on Alberta River Basins.
- Check road conditions
There’s nothing worse than setting off for your adventure only to hit a roadblock—literally. 511 Alberta gives you real-time updates on road conditions, and if you’re heading into British Columbia, DriveBC is your good resource. Whether it’s a washed-out road, construction delays, or seasonal closures, a quick check before you leave home can save you hours of frustration and backtracking.
- Finetune your packing
Trip planning isn’t just about the route—it’s about packing smart. First of all, there’s something we like to refer to the “10 essentials” of things to pack for each and every trip:
- Navigation tool
- Illumination
- Sun protection
- First aid kit
- Knife
- Fire starter
- Shelter
- Extra food
- Extra water
- Extra clothes
Besides these must-haves, when you know the weather, trail conditions, and terrain, you can pack gear that’ll make your day more comfortable (and safer) depending on the specific conditions of your trip. For example, if you know it’s going to be windy, you might opt for a buff instead of a hat, which could easily get blown off. Rain in the forecast? You know to pack an extra pair of gloves, as one is bound to get soaked through.
- Notify friends and family
Let someone know where you are going and share key details of your trip:
- Location
- Expected time back
- Who you are going with
- Emergency contact information
The AdventureSmart Trip Plan app is a handy tool designed to help outdoor enthusiasts create detailed trip plans and share them with family and friends. It’s available for free on both iOS and Android devices, as well as through web browsers. The app allows you to outline your destination, travel route, equipment, and expected return time. In case of an emergency, this information can be vital for search and rescue teams to find you quickly. The app also sends email and push notifications to your contacts when your trip plan is activated and completed.
Sharing your itinerary with family or friends only works if you stick to the plan and avoid spontaneous side adventures, which can interfere with their ability to find you in case of an emergency.
Great adventures start with great planning
Trip planning is the key to having a safe, fun, and successful hike. A little bit of prep goes a long way when you’re out in the backcountry. By taking the time to plan, you’re setting yourself up to handle whatever the trail (or the weather, or the wildlife) throws your way.
| Do you want to leave the planning to someone else and just enjoy the trek? Join one of our adventures! Our certified guides take care of all the details, from route planning and weather forecasting to packing safety gear and providing expert guidance every step of the way. Keep an eye out for our 2024-2025 winter schedule – coming soon! |