By Marie Ammerman
With a strong El Nino predicted for the coming winter, it’s important to review safety procedures for high water conditions.
The most important things, of course, are preparation and awareness. No matter what area you are going to, be sure to check the weather several times, including right before you leave, and always pay attention to severe weather warnings. If there’s a ranger station or visitor center associated with the area, consider calling them to find out the state of any streams, and the expected weather. Also ask about the condition of the trails if there has been any recent rain which could have caused erosion. As always, plan escape routes that will take you around potentially dangerous stream crossings.
Once you’re on your way, watch the weather. Even if skies are clear right over your head, thunderstorms at higher elevations could send higher volumes of water down active streams or down dry gullies and washes you may have to cross. In some places this can happen with astonishing speed; hence the term “flash flood.” If there is a snowpack above you, try to create a route that will allow stream crossings in the morning, before the sun has hit the snow and caused melting that will swell the streams downhill.
You’ve heard that it’s not good to cut switchbacks, and erosion is the reason. Trails are designed to keep erosion to a minimum by using switchbacks, and when people create straight trails that cross those switchbacks, they are also creating a path for water to run straight downhill and erode the banks of the trail, causing trail collapse and/or landslides that cover the trail. As you hike, not only should you stay on the established trail, but also keep an eye on the path as it runs along gullies, canyons, or any steep place. Heavy rains can sometimes undercut a trail, and you will want to stay far from the edge if you see this situation up ahead.
As always, remember that turning back and living to hike another day instead of taking potentially deadly risks is always the wise choice!
