No matter where or how far you’re going, there are some things that everyone should have access to when hiking. I’ve been on a lot of hikes, and have made the mistake of not bringing these things before- my lessons learned is your gain! Some might seem obvious, but others are things that never crossed my mind until I was on a hike and found myself desperately needing something I didn’t have. You can be better! 

1. Tissues: You don’t need a tissue until you really need a tissue. Especially when dealing with elevation changes, your sinuses can get fussy. My nose gets really runny on hikes (anyone else?), so tissues have become a true must-have. Plus, if you’re ever in a real bathroom bind while on the trails, you’ll be very glad to have a paper product on hand.
2. Hand sanitizer: This was another essential I didn’t consider until I had to use a port-a-potty before we hit the trail and there was no hand washing station. IMO, there is no worse feeling than having to start something knowing that your hands are gross. This is a great hand sanitizer because it’s plant-based and sustainable, yet effective.
3. Identification: Just in case. I also bring my insurance card.
4. Lip balm: It can get blistery out there! Especially if you’re not wearing a hat, sunscreen and lip balm are essential to protect your skin/lips from the elements.
5. Band-Aids: Better to have these on hand for a variety of things- like getting a blister on your feet or a cut on your hand!
6. Sunscreen: Always, always, always!! This is probably a more obvious one, but it bears repeating. You should be wearing sunscreen every day, but especially when on an exposed trail and out in the sun for hours at a time. Even if it’s cloudy, or cold, or you know there’s lots of tree cover on the trail- always, always, always wear sunscreen. I recommend this sunscreen for your face– it’s non-greasy, non-drying, and doesn’t clog your pores (which is especially important when sweating!). This is the body sunscreen my entire family uses, from beach days to hiking trips.
7. Makeup remover wipes: Sometimes after a hike we want to grab something to drink/eat or explore the town we’re in before heading back home. Even just the drive home can be enough to let the toxins from your sweat seep into your pores and start breakouts. Bringing makeup remover wipes in your car or hiking bag (I keep a couple in a ziploc bag) allows you to give your skin a little post-hike “bird bath” to prevent clogging pores.
8. Eye drops: This was a recent discovery when we went on a particularly dry + dusty hike, and I was absolutely miserable and blinking like 70 times a second. Especially if you wear glasses or contacts, you’ll be glad to have some backup eye drops in case something gets in your eye, or it’s super windy/dusty and your eyes dry out.
9. A sweater: In Colorado, the weather can change really suddenly- especially in higher elevation areas. You might start in shorts and a tank top but at the top it could be 20 degrees cooler and super windy. Especially if you want to have a celebratory beer (or just even a snack) at the top, you’ll be glad to have something extra to keep you comfortable.
10. A plastic bag: Because they have a thousand purposes and you never know when they’ll come in handy!

Did I forget any other hiking essentials to bring on every hike? Let me know in the comments!