This time of the year can be great to head outside and take on a hiking adventure, but if you're not prepared, that hiking trip could quickly become dangerous.
Here's some ways you can keep safe before you head out:

1. Selecting a Trail:

Before you take off on trail, it's important to know which one is best suited for your age and skill level.
One way of figuring out what's best for you is checking out the Ridge to Rivers website. The interactive map tool helps you route your loops and trail before you even leave your car. There, you can figure out the difficulty, length and elevation.
Sara Arkle, the foothills and open space superintendent for Boise Parks and Recreation, suggests families try a loop like Hulls Gulch to get antiquated with hiking and gauge how everyone feels after. No matter what your age and ability though, there's a trail that can fit your needs.

2. Having the Right Equipment

Making sure you're properly dressed and aided with the right equipment is important, says Arkle. This includes keeping things like the season in mind. Also be sure to have study, reliable shoes, at least 12 oz of water, and a small snack with you. Try picking out an item with carbohydrates for energy-- apples and granola bars are good examples. Another good idea is to have a guide book or a map handy, just in case you get lost.

3. Leave Plants & Animals Alone

Arkle tells hikers not to be surprised to see creatures like beavers, coyotes, birds, and rattle snakes on the trail, as the area is their home. If you ever meet an animal, your best bet is to leave it alone--do not attempt to give it food to coax it toward you.
On the plant side, in addition to wildflowers, Poison Ivy can make an appearance too. So as the rhyme says--leaves of three- let them be!
Another big no-no is walking off the course--as Arkle explains that you can cause serious damage to an ecosystem. Instead the best thing you can do is to leave animals and plants alone, while enjoying your hike.

4. Knowing what to do while lost

The first thing to do is to take proper steps NOT to get lost, says Arkle. This includes using Ridge to Rivers to plan out your trail, buying a guide book, and always staying on trail. She also suggests that a "turn around time" can be helpful. This means if you and the group don't get to a certain landmark by a certain time to "turn around" and head back. Always tell someone else where you're going too, and what time you were thinking of heading back.
But if you do get lost, the biggest thing is not to panic, says Arkle. In many cases, you can look for landmarks, such as downtown Boise or Bogus Basin Road to get you back on track.