We appreciate your willingness to lead hikes. We also welcome your feedback about your trail experience. Please contact one of the Trip Committee Chairs with your comments.
We would also like to thank the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council of San Francisco, California, and the Mazamas of Portland, Oregon, for their input to this manual.
The leaders of any OHC activity have responsibility for the success of the activity. They have the authority and are encouraged to screen all activity participants. If the leaders judge that a person is not properly equipped or is not qualified to participate, that person may be denied participation in the activity. Qualifications to be considered include physical condition and proper equipment such as boots, sufficient water, appropriate clothing for the weather, etc. The well being of the entire party should always be considered and the leaders must carefully evaluate anyone who, in the judgement of the leaders, could constitute a hazard either to him/herself or to the group. If problems are anticipated the person should be denied participation.
A parent or guardian must accompany children under 18 years of age.
It is imperative that the hike you signed up to lead takes place on the date and at the location, which was specified in the hike schedule. If any co-leader cannot be there for the hike, he/she must arrange for someone else in the Club to take his/her place. The three typical ways you can find a replacement are: 1) calling club members you know 2) asking your co-leader if she/he knows of anyone who might be able to step in and 3) asking club members at upcoming hikes you attend. These three methods almost always result in finding a replacement leader. If they fail, however, let the Day Trips Committee Chair know the efforts you’ve made and the names of members you have contacted. Day Trips Committee members will then try to find a replacement leader for you by using their club contacts. If the above efforts fail, as a last resort the Day Trips Committee Chair will arrange for an e-mail to be sent to club members announcing the need for a replacement leader. If all efforts fail, either the remaining co-leader can lead the hike on his/her own (assigning a sweep on the day of the hike), or the Day Trips Committee Chair will arrange to have an e-mail sent out canceling the hike.
Your hike will be listed in the hike schedule which is mailed to all dues-paying members and is available at the
Planning – The hike co-leaders should scout their hike 2-6 weeks before the actual hike takes place. For your convenience, a list of all parks, open spaces and other pertinent agencies in the nine Bay Area counties and their phone numbers and websites are shown on the Club’s website, Orindahiking.org. This list is a valuable source of information for arranging and organizing hikes. The Club policy is that the first and second Saturday hikes should be the same. In like manner, so should the hikes for the third Saturday and the Sunday following the fourth Saturday. The hike for the fourth Saturday will be a separateshort hike. And for those months having five Saturdays (four or five per year), an “Extreme” especially demanding hike will be scheduled on the fifth Saturday. For the hikes which will be done two weekends in a row, hike leaders for both weekends should do the planning and pre-hiking together. This prevents disappointments due to trail closures caused by a variety of reasons or if the first hike is changed or cancelled due to bad weather. The two identical hikes should only be changed due to unsafe conditions or inclement weather. Any information about your hike area, such as history, flora and fauna, geology, etc., may be researched and presented to the group at appropriate places along the way. This kind of information makes the hike more interesting. (See Interpretive Information on next page.) Contact the person who is to bring the refreshments to confirm that he/she will do so.
e-Mailed Hike Description- No later than a week before the hike, a description should be e-mailed to the Newsletter Editor for dissemination to OHC members. The hike description should include such information as hike distance, elevation gain, trail difficulty, and driving instructions for those wishing to drive directly to the trailhead.
Hike Classifications – Most, but not all, hikes will be listed in the moderate range. The co-leaders will make the final determination when they do the pre-hike. Club members can call one of the co-leaders to further discuss hike difficulty if they wish. Following is the OHC hike classification system:
Classification Distance Elevation gain
Easy less than 8 miles less than 1000’
Moderate from 8 to 10 miles from 1000’ to 2000’
Strenuous more than 10 miles over 2000’
E/E = less than 8 mi. & less than 1000’
E/M = less than 8 mi. & from 1000’–2000’
E/S = less than 8 mi. & over 2000’
M/E = from 8 to 10 mi. & less than 1000’
M/M = from 8 to 10 mi. & from 1000’–2000’
M/S = from 8 to 10 mi. & over 2000’
S/E = more than 10 mi. & less than 1000’
S/M = more than 10 mi. & from 1000’–2000’
S/S = more than 10 mi. & over 2000’
Other checklist suggestions to look into:
a) Sufficient, safe, trailhead parking.
b) Availability of toilets at trailhead and bathroom breaks on trail.
c) Appropriate place for lunch.
d) When planning one-way hikes involving a car shuttle, before leaving the Community Center be sure you have sufficient cars and that every driver understands what to do.
e) When planning a hike be sure to determine the difficulty of the hike according to the classifications on the previous page and let the Newsletter Editor know so he can e-mail the members this information.
Interpretive Information – Outings are recreational but can be interpretive also. To be interpretive the leaders can either have a naturalist, docent, or other educational resource accompany the group or the leaders themselves can get pertinent information about the area to be hiked. This information could include geological facts, natural history trivia, stories of days-gone-by, something about the fauna and flora, current facts and issues and other information. If you make your hike interpretive the hikers should come away from the trip on the trail with new knowledge and an expanded appreciation of the area. Remember that long and too frequent interpretive information can make the participants bored. A good idea is to have two or three interpretive 5-minute rest breaks throughout the trip. Of course, any historical or significant landmarks along the way should be pointed out. Interpretative talks should be intriguing — the talk ought to provoke interest on the part of the listeners and provide enjoyment. It should be imaginative — try to communicate in innovative ways and with enthusiasm. Be informative — convey meaningful information geared to your group.
Directions – The hike leaders are responsible for giving adequate directions to anyone who is driving to the trailhead on the day of the hike. Copy a portion of a road map and highlight the route to take in color or sketch out a map by hand and write directions. No matter which method you use, be sure you include written directions, as some members like to follow a map and others prefer written directions. Make enough copies for each driver. It might be advisable also to have maps of the hike area for the hikers.
Safety – The hike leaders should do their best to assure the safety of the group. This begins with the planning of the hike. Consider whether the route chosen is one that can be safely negotiated by a large group of people with varied hiking experience. It is acceptable for the hike leaders to change the hike plan during the hike if this protects the well being of the group. Everyone on a hike is required to sign a waiver before each hike. This is for the protection of the hike leaders and the Club.
Equipment – The Club owns 2-way radios, water purifiers, a first-aid kit and clipboards. The radios, first-aid kit, and clipboards should be used on each Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday hike. Water purifiers are advisable if the hike is on a very hot day and water will be available from streams. This equipment can be picked up from the Equipment Caretaker. Sign-up sheets for each hike should be used and will also be available from the Data Entry Associate. Make sure that the 2-way radios have fresh batteries and are ready for operation. If water filters are advisable be sure to have these on hand. Do not forget the first-aid kit.
AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
When hikers arrive for your hike at the steps of the
1. Arrive at the
2. Make sure you have the sign-up sheets on a clipboard. Either one of the co-leaders or one of the first arrivals should handle the sign-ups as each hiker arrives.
3. Make sure you have maps and/or directions to hand out to all drivers to aid them in reaching the trailhead.
4. Make sure that the refreshments are on hand unless it’s a Wednesday hike or street stroll.
5. It is important to understand that the co-leaders are in charge on the day of the hike and that the hike is the number one priority that day. At the gathering point or trailhead people should be discouraged from making announcements, handing out flyers, selling anything, or in any other way interfering with your management of a successful hike. Any such activities can be done at the lunch break with the approval of the hike leader or at the end of the hike.
6. About 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time get the attention of all hikers and facilitate the organization of carpools. Make sure that everyone has a ride. Then hand out the directions to the drivers
7. Next, briefly describe the nature of the hike: where it is, how long it will take, and any special considerations, like entry fees or parking suggestions. Mention any special rules that might be in force at the particular park or wilderness area. Stress safety.
8. Discourage the participation of anyone who does not appear to have at least the minimum equipment and water for the day’s hike. Be sure to check footwear if hiking boots are necessary.
9. Emphasize that each hiker carries at least a quart of water, especially on long hikes.
10. Just before you depart for the trailhead have everyone form a circle to count off and give their name.
11. Proceed by car to the trailhead, leaving the Community Center on time.
AT THE TRAILHEAD
Once everyone appears to have arrived at the trailhead, have them again form a circle and count off with their name. By doing this you can see if all carloads of people have arrived. This becomes your head count for the group. Inform them about rest room locations, if any, and about the specifics of the trail route. Every hike should have two leaders who are equally familiar with the hike route. The co-leader at the front of the group is called the “lead”. The “sweep” is the co-leader who brings up the rear. Explain to the hikers who will be the lead and who will be the sweep and explain their functions.
The Club owns two-way radios that are to be used for the lead to communicate with the sweep. This is important in case of emergency or so that the lead does not get too far ahead. It is up to the leaders to make sure the radios are working and the first-aid kit is on hand. Have the sweep carry the first-aid kit and know how to use the contents.
ON THE TRAIL
Whenever you reach a trail junction along your route ask for a volunteer to act as the junction guide until the sweep arrives. This will avoid having someone take a wrong turn. Make sure that everyone knows who the sweep is. No hiker is to be in front of the leader or behind the sweep.
On streets, hikers should walk on the side of the oncoming traffic. Bikers should give way to hikers and hikers to horses. When horses are near, move off of the trail ten feet if possible and remain quiet and do not move.
Keep your walking pace comfortable for the whole group. (Do not go too fast.) Pace those in the lead so that you are not strung out so far that the rear is a long way behind. Since not everyone hikes at the same pace, have the faster hikers wait periodically for everyone to catch up, then allow the slower hikers a break before starting out again.
Lunch is a good time to allow for Club announcements. As a courtesy to the hike leader, anyone wishing to make an announcement should obtain his/her approval beforehand.
Arrange “potty” breaks as needed.
Trail Etiquette and Safety
Observe regulations.
Pick up litter, not flowers and plants.
Be safe and considerate.
Stay on the trail; do not take short cuts.
Uphill hikers have right-of-way.
Respect private property.
Move to the right if someone overtakes you.
Move uphill ten feet off the trail for horses.
On roads with cars, walk on the left side facing the oncoming traffic if safe.
AFTER THE TRIP
At the end of the hike you should take a count to make sure no one is missing. After that is a good time to allow for flyers, T-shirt sales, and other Club business. Then, ENJOY the treats!
The co-leaders should stay until everyone is gone, to clean up any garbage, items left behind and to be sure that nobody gets left behind without a ride.
Make sure the sign-up sheets are mailed or turned-in to the Data Entry Associate. Also, make sure that the 2-way radios, first aid kit and clipboards are passed on to the leaders of the next hike, whether it be a weekend hike or a Wednesday hike or, failing this, returned to the Equipment Caretaker.
P.S. – Please note that the names associated with the Titles in this Handbook are printed in each copy of the Newsletter.
GOOD LUCK and HAPPY HIKING!!
June 2004