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By Scott Mims | Community Columnist

Hiking is a great outdoor pastime for those of us who have little to no interest in hunting or fishing. To be clear, I don’t have anything against hunting or fishing, but my exposure to the outdoors growing up was not in deer stands or duck blinds—but rather on the trails of the Smokies.

These days we spend what little free time we have exploring new trails, mostly in Alabama—through state forests, up mountains, along lake shorelines, and to waterfalls, large and small. But I am finding out more and more that weather is the biggest factor that can make or break a hike.

Now, there are a couple of different sides to hiking. It’s tempting to try to create the perfect experience and wait until the temperature falls within that sweet spot. For me, this is above 45 degrees and below 85 degrees. However, Alabama summers are brutal and Alabama winters are unpredictable, meaning that sometimes if you want to get some miles under your belt, you have to “embrace the suck.”

The upper 80s are not so bad as long as you stay properly hydrated, and the woods provide adequate shade in many areas. I recommend packing at least 64 oz of water on a 5-mile hike, in addition to a portable water filter if there is a reliable water source in the area. But seriously, the summer heat is no joke. If you are not used to being outdoors in the heat, I would not go on a major hiking trip until the temperature falls within a more comfortable range.

On the other end of the spectrum, a cool morning isn’t so bad as long as you dress in layers (the base layer should be made of a moisture wicking fabric). Usually, the day will warm up and you’ll start to feel the burn as you get moving. The potential danger would be neglecting to pack a coat or thermal blanket, along with fire-starting gear in case you get lost on a cold night. That said, I would avoid temperatures below freezing due to the increased risk of slipping and falling, and the risk of frostbite.

Rainfall is an important factor to watch, also. A muddy trail is something to avoid, and water crossings can become impassable if flooding occurs. I like to hike shortly after a big rain but only after allowing the ground time to dry out; this way, any waterfalls in the area are more likely to be flowing.

I could go into many more details about hiking preparedness, but I will save those for another column. I will conclude by reminding you to always over-prepare on a hiking or camping trip. Always pack more water and food than you think you will need. And by all means, enjoy the trip.