How to enjoy hiking Marin’s trails more

Today, I am reflecting on matters that may lead to more hiking enjoyment. As Muhammad Ali said, “It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.”

Or consider the advice of John Wooden, the most famed college basketball coach of all time. It is the first day of practice, and his star UCLA recruits are eagerly awaiting wisdom from the Wizard of Westwood. He holds up a sock and shows and tells them how to smooth it out so there are no wrinkles. He illustrates how to put their shoes on and double tie them so they don’t come off during the game. His point: It is the details that can undo you or make you the best.

Ultimately, I am talking about hiking joy. How fresh you feel while hiking is important. When fresh, you notice more, you appreciate more and you enjoy more. Conversely, when you are fatigued, you concentrate on putting one foot in front of another — and notice less, appreciate less and enjoy less.

Go light and lighten your spirit: Recently, I lifted my day pack and thought it was heavier than it should be. I dumped everything out, and looked with new eyes at several extraneous, irrelevant and unneeded items. They included light rain wear not needed here in summer, three different maps, two pair of light gloves and accumulated miscellany. I stored some for use in other seasons or terrain and discarded the dregs.

Then I lifted my 20-year-old empty day pack. Until then, it had never seemed burdensome, but now empty, it seemed heavy. I purchased an inexpensive, lighter day pack with desirable features. With my newly reduced contents, it weighed less than my old day pack empty. I had reduced my carrying weight by 5 to 7 pounds, and could feel the lightness immediately. Five, 6 or 7 pounds may not seem like much, but even on a moderate hike it makes a huge difference. Try it out for yourself.

Your feet deserve your utmost consideration. Most up-to-date hikers wear road or trail running shoes as they are lighter than hiking shoes or boots. But for running shoes used for hiking, the fit, cushioning, heel stack and sole construction are more important than saving a few ounces of weight. I use a rugged trail-type running shoe — which although slightly heavier, gives me the ample cushioning I need and the grip I want for my hikes. Make sure running shoes are appropriate for your use and terrain and make sure they are comfortable. Break them in slowly with increasingly longer and more difficult hikes. As always, the choice is yours.

A note about water: Water weighs slightly over 2 pounds a quart. I always make sure I have enough water to avoid discomfort, dehydration and ultimately heat exhaustion or heatstroke. But I fell into a rut of routinely taking excessive water, rather than adjusting it to the weather, length and difficulty of my hike. I found that in most cases I was taking more than needed. So, I started taking less — often 2 pounds less. It makes a difference.

Hiking poles: If you are young and spry, you may not need them. But for those of us who are older, they save stress on hips, knees, ankles and feet, provide stability where footing is difficult and prevent falls.

The main error I see with hiking poles — other than the failure to use them — is that they are adjusted too low, and cause the hiker to bend over. If you set them mid-chest, they will be perfect on the level and for most inclines. In the Sierra, I have seen experienced hikers, while descending steep inclines, raise their poles to shoulder high. Once again, do what is comfortable for you.

Picking the route: The choice of route is key. If there is a stretch that is particularly spectacular, I prefer to traverse it early in my hike, when I am the freshest and able to enjoy it more. For instance, I choose to hike Cataract Gulch from the bottom, rather than from above, as from the bottom I see all the best waterfalls and scenery in the first .6 miles. It also satisfies my preference to go uphill early, rather than at the end when I am more spent.

If it is going to be hot, I prefer significant tree cover. In all weather, I favor a hike along or near water. I like trails where there is the possibility of seeing wildlife. In the spring and early summer, I prefer trails with wildflowers. And always I seek the possibility of exploration or surprise.

In the abstract, I prefer a loop hike, but often an out-and-back hike is preferable. I may take it because the outbound stretch is more enticing, or I wish to experience an enjoyable stretch from the opposite point of view. An out-and-back one also allows me to shorten the hike and return from anywhere if I am low energy or pressed for time.

My final rule is that for the right hike, I will break all my preferences.

A hike is never an objective entity. You and the path are in a relationship. You may be joined by companions, mood, weather and wildlife. Like a river, you never step into the same hike twice. Bring your own amazing tangle of experiences with you, and make the hike yours.

See you in two weeks for a dramatic hike that almost all can do.

A longtime avid hiker and Marin resident, Jim Holden is the author of two nonfiction books: “It Happened in Marin” and “Adventurous Lives, Daring Acts.” He can be reached at MarinhikingJim@gmail.com.