Short day hikes are also a beneficial form of exercise.  You can control your speed and terrain elevation.  One day you can focus
on endurance over flat trails while another day can be spent sprinting and climbing up steeper terrain.

One day hikes commonly take place on easily accessible trails in your area.  Therefore, you can discover hidden nature treasures
that are in your backyard.  You can venture out for a day of leisurely or extreme hiking.  Instead of setting up camp for the night, you can return to the comforts of your own home.

What hiking gear is necessary for a one day trip?  It depends on the weather, terrain, and experience level of the hikers. However, there is basic hiking equipment that you will need. When choosing a hiking backpack, opt for a smaller pack.  You don’t want to spend your day trip lugging around a heavy backpack.  It is a good idea to bring extra clothes in case your clothes become wet or the weather gets cooler.  The key is to dress in layers.

It is vital to keep well hydrated, especially in the hot summer months.  Avoid the intense heat of the afternoon sun.  One gallon of water per person is recommended.  A sports drink such as Gatorade is also an option.  Steer clear of sodas and alcohol.  These drinks are diuretics and will dehydrate your body.  Bring snacks that have substantial good carbohydrates and protein such as nuts and granola.  Protein rich fitness bars are also a practical option.  Bring extra food just in case you spend a longer time on the hiking trail then expected.

Safety should be high priority on any hiking trip.  Bring a map, compass, and flashlight.  Bring the following items to combat any hiking emergencies:  waterproof matches, whistle, fire starter, space blanket, and emergency shelter.  These items are beneficial when you are unfamiliar with the hiking trail or you expect to hike through difficult terrain.  There are other safety items to consider.  Consult a hiking professional in your area for more tips and advice.

The sun, wind, and bugs can become a nuisance while hiking. Make sure to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and bug repellant. Nothing can ruin a hiking adventure like bug bites and an aching sunburn.  Always wear sunscreen even if the weather is overcast. Find a waterproof and sweat resistant sports sunscreen and reapply sunscreen every 4-5 hours or more frequently if you are prone to sunburn.

One day hiking trips are a great way for recreational hikers to experience trails in their area and exercise at the same time. Start a one day hiking group with your friends as a social get-together.  What are you waiting for?  Get your gear and get started today!

by Monica Harty
Benefits of a One Day Hiking Trip

Cedar City, Utah can be great during all 4 seasons, fall, winter, spring and summer. Any time of the year is a great time to do some cedarcitytours. Cedar City is close to Cedar Breaks National Monument, Brian Head skiing/boarding/mtn biking park, Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Dixie National Forest, seen the fantastic ancient Indian rock art in Parowan Gap? Have you see Mammoth Cave, lava flows, Panguitch Lake, Three peaks, Thunderbird Gardens, seen Flanigan Arch, Southwest Wildlife Foundation Nature Center, or Ashdown Gorge?

Visiting Utah can be quite an adventure experience. The major airport to fly into the region is normally Las Vegas for Southern Utah. Cedar City has a growing and new airport on the outskirts of town. The small 10 minute city is perfect for getting around. It has most of anything anyone would want, and you can get to most of it in about 10 minutes or less. It is home to a wonderful university, Southern Utah University. SUU enrollment seems to be growing each year. There is also Southwest Applied Technology as well as George Wythe College.

As a perfect location for outdoor activity, Utah has 5 National parks and 3 National Monuments, in addition to the dozens of state parks. There are plenty of adventure choices. Red rock canyons, sandstone cliffs, the desert, the best snow on earth skiing, Joshua trees, slot canyons, canyoneering, travel, tour & adventure await your cedarcitytours. The National parks are: Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park.

If that’s not enough of the most incredible landscape anywhere, the 3 National Monuments are: Cedar Breaks National Monument, Dinosaur National Monuments and GSENM, Grand Staircase National Monument. How about adding two National Recreation areas to the mix and maybe you’ll never want to leave Utah. The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area all add up to one of the most spectacular places on earth to visit. Here are some of the things you can do.

• Hiking
• Camping
• Biking
• Golf
• Boating
• Beaches
• ATV
• Museums
• Scenic Drives
• Dog Sledding
• Snowmobiling
• Horseback Riding
• Hunting
• Antique Shopping
• Festivals/State Fairs
• Rafting
• Ice Skating
• Fly Fishing
• Wildlife
• Lake/Rivers
• Alpine & Nordic Skiing/Snowboarding

Another city is Saint George in southern Utah and just a couple of hours north of Las Vegas. It has an elevation of 2,880 feet above sea level. St. George has an average annual temperature of 59.9° F with summer temperatures well into the 100s. Palm trees and red rock cliffs are the norm in Saint George along with all the convenience of a city of 100 thousand.

Cedar City is well known as festival city. It is home to Southern Utah University, The Utah Shakespearean Festival, The Utah Summer Games, The American Children’s Christmas Festival, The Cedar City SkyFest, Neil Simon Festival, Himmelsk Festival Royal, yearly Cowboy Gathering, Rodeo, July Jamboree, Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire, Groovefest, and Paiute Restoration Gathering & Pow-wow. Cedar City is very close to Brian Head Ski Area. Close enough to be in the Vegas desert, ski during the day with views of Cedar Breaks Red Rocks and back to the desert for dinner. You’ll enjoy your cedarcitytours!

Bob Therrien is a travel writer and has traveled all over North America. He currently operates the website at http://www.cedarcitytours.com

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Utah has five National parks: Arches National Park,  Bryce Canyon National Park,  Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park.

If that’s not enough of the most incredible landscape anywhere, there are 3 National Monuments. Cedar Breaks National Monument, Dinosaur National Monuments and GSENM, Grand Staircase National Monument. How about adding two National Recreation areas to the mix and maybe you’ll never want to leave Utah. The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area all add up to one of the most spectacular places on earth to visit.

When hiking in Utah, be sure to have a good map and know what to expect as far as your terrain. Always bring plenty of water and have good shoes to hike with. You will see some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States.

The photograph you see was taken in 1974. It was taken in place called “Robbers-Roost”, famous for the get aways that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid frequented. People would not follow the outlaws down this narrow canyon. Rapelling was the only way out.