Before you head out

RacePrint matches terrain. It doesn't check conditions, and it doesn't know your plans. A few minutes here covers what it can't.

Before you go

Tell someone. Send your trailhead, route, start time, and the time you'll check in by. Agree that if they haven't heard from you by then, they call 911.

Check trail status. Closures, fire, washouts, and road or gate closures change week to week. See the agency list below before you drive out.

Check the weather where you're going — not where you live. Mountain and gorge weather can differ a lot from town.

Check closures before you drive out

Fire, washouts, and seasonal road and gate closures change week to week, and RacePrint doesn't track them yet. Check the agency that manages the trail:

• Mt. Hood National Forest — alerts and closures
• Gifford Pinchot National Forest — alerts and closures
• Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area — alerts and closures
• Active wildfires — InciWeb
• Air quality and smoke — AirNow
• Oregon State Parks
• Washington State Parks

For wildlife and hunting seasons, check your state wildlife agency:

• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Carry on every run

• Phone, charged, with the route downloaded for offline use
• Water, plus a way to treat more on longer routes
• Food beyond what you plan to eat
• A light wind or rain layer
• A headlamp, even if you plan to finish in daylight
• A small first-aid kit: blister care, an elastic wrap, and any medication you rely on
• A whistle

Add for where you're going

Bear country. Carry bear spray where you can reach it in a second — on a hip or chest strap, not inside your pack — and know how to use it. Bears are most active from spring through fall. Your state wildlife agency lists where bears are active.

No cell coverage. Carry a satellite messenger, or a phone with satellite SOS, and practice with it before you need it. Your check-in person matters even more here.

Snow or ice at elevation. Traction devices for your shoes, and a warmer layer. Snow can linger on high trails long after it's gone in town.

Hot or exposed terrain. More water than you think, and sun protection. Start early.

Add for when you're going

Fall and winter: short days. It gets dark earlier than you expect. The headlamp isn't optional, and an extra warm layer earns its weight.

Fall: hunting season. Wear a bright color, ideally blaze orange. Check your state wildlife agency for season dates.

Spring and summer: ticks. Check yourself and your dog after the run.

Summer and early fall: fire and smoke. Fire closures can appear overnight, and smoke can make hard efforts unhealthy. Check closures and air quality before you go.

This page is a starting point, not a complete guide. Conditions change, and you're the best judge of your own limits. When in doubt, turn back — the trail will be there next week.