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Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. And as it gets warmer, you might feel compelled to grab your friends or family and head to a local beach or go for a hike.
But we all have horror stories from nature outings gone wrong. You got an awful sunburn on a cloudy day when you didn’t think you needed to wear sunscreen, or you got so lost hiking you had to call an Uber to pick you up. Maybe you walked through overgrown brush and had to pry ticks off your clothes.
Sometimes mishaps are unavoidable, but we asked Silicon Valley outdoor experts and officials to share their advice on how best to prepare for these excursions so misadventures are less likely to happen. Here’s what they had to say:
Weather and hydration
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Ranger Jessica Lucas, who patrols about 35,000 acres of open space along Highway 35, said she rarely sees people bring enough water on their hikes. She recommends bringing about 1 liter of water for every 3 miles you plan to hike.
Hike early in the heat or make it short and sweet, she said. Temperatures change drastically on the Peninsula – it could be 95 degrees and drop to 50 degrees and foggy in an hour, she said. This can lead to hypothermia. She recommends wearing a windbreaker to reduce sweating because wet clothes can be freezing and dangerous.
“Across the board, people want to go outside and be in nature, and they’re not prepared, and that’s how they get into trouble,” Lucas said.
If you bring your dog, they’ll need 8 ounces of water for every hour of the hike, she said.
Midpen’s Trail Explorer web tool lets you plan an outing in one of their preserves by filtering for shaded trails.
Sun protection
The American Hiking Society recommends applying sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside to prevent sunburn.
The nonprofit advises people to reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if exercising outdoors.
Lucas recommends wearing a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirt while hiking to protect your skin.
Rodent-related illnesses
Recent headlines about the outbreak of hantavirus on a South American cruise ship have led to increased inquiries to the Santa Clara County Mosquito and Vector Control District on how to safely clean up after rodents, according to Community Resource Specialist Beverly Perez.
That particular strain of the hantavirus, Andes, isn’t generally found in California, but the Sin Nombre strain is. Sin Nombre virus is mainly found in the droppings and urine of deer mice. Human cases are rare and typically result from breathing in dust contaminated by infected rodent urine or feces.
If you’re cleaning your home or vacation spot – whether it be your crawlspace, attic or backyard – you’ll want to take precautions cleaning up after rodents. Perez’s guidelines include wearing protective equipment, such as latex, rubber or plastic gloves, respirators or dust masks; using a household disinfectant or homemade bleach solution; and avoiding sweeping, vacuuming or using a high-pressure hose for cleanup.
Santa Clara County residents can also contact licensed technicians for free outdoor home inspections. They assess appropriate baiting and trapping procedures, locate potential entry points and give guidance on repairs. Call 408-918-4770 or schedule online at vector.santaclaracounty.gov.
Mosquitos and ticks
A combination of rainfall and scattered heat waves has created ideal conditions for mosquito breeding across the Bay Area, according to the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District. An increase in mosquito populations raises the risk of diseases spread by mosquitoes, like West Nile virus.
The district recommends using EPA-registered insect repellents or oil of lemon eucalyptus. It advises people to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and light-colored clothing to help prevent mosquito bites when outdoors. You should also regularly empty or cover any containers around your property that can collect standing water since they serve as common mosquito breeding sites.
Vector Control also provided tick bite prevention tips in its May newsletter, with suggestions including doing tick checks and showering after hikes. There are higher tick counts this year because the grasses are taller, Midpen ranger Lucas said.
Vector Control is giving away tick bite prevention kits to San Mateo County residents that include a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, a tick removal device and tick repellent samples. Visit smcmvcd.org/tick-bite-prevention-kit to request one.
Poison oak
Poison oak is prevalent right now because of rain during winter, according to Lucas.
“Leaves of three, leave them be,” she advised, noting one of the warning signs of poison oak.
The plants can cause allergic contact dermatitis, according to Johns Hopkins University. If you come into contact with poison oak, wash your body with Dawn dish soap and water when you get home, Lucas said.
Reactions happen in about 24 to 72 hours. The rash doesn’t transmit from one person to another, but if you touch skin or clothing that has plant oils on it you can get a rash.
To reduce itching, use calamine lotion; steroid cream; baths with baking soda or colloidal oatmeal; or steroid medicine by mouth or shot, Johns Hopkins advises.
Avoiding getting lost
Before you head out on your trip, download an offline map through apps like Avenza Maps in case you lose cellphone service. The app is free for casual recreational use.
At Midpen preserves, there are free paper maps at all the trailheads.
Snakes
It’s also “stick or snake?” season.
If you encounter a snake, give it space to cross safely, Lucas advised. If you are bit and know it was a rattlesnake, call 911. Don’t do anything that will make your heart race, she said.
Beach safety
As you drive into Half Moon Bay on Highway 92, you’ll spot electronic message boards with messages like “Don’t turn your back on the ocean.” This is part of a San Mateo County effort to keep beachgoers safe.
Even on calm days, sudden large waves and strong currents can pull swimmers away from shore, according to a May 20 San Mateo County press release.
Before you go, check National Weather Service advisories, which often include warnings for rip currents, high surf or hazardous conditions, according to the city of Half Moon Bay. Rip currents are powerful channels of water that flow away from shore. They will appear as areas of choppy, discolored or foamy water moving seaward.
“If caught, remain calm and conserve energy,” the city website says. “Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then angle back toward land. Yelling and waving for help can alert lifeguards or other beach-goers.”
Sneaker waves are unexpected, larger waves that can rush far up the shore and can drag people into the water. The city of Half Moon Bay advises people to stay back from the water’s edge, especially when on rocky coastlines.
“The ocean’s beauty comes with unpredictability,” the city website states. “Follow posted warnings, avoid alcohol near the water, and remain alert to your surroundings. By taking these precautions, you can minimize risks and focus on enjoying your time at the beach.”
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