Navigating Wilderness Trips: Finding Routes and Trails Without Relying on Instagram Influencers
- Kimberley Megis
- Jul 22, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 20, 2025
Exploring the great outdoors can be an enriching and invigorating experience, but relying on Instagram influencers for hiking and wilderness trip recommendations leads to overcrowded trails and superficial experiences.
To craft a unique and fulfilling adventure, conducting your own research is key.
Here’s how you can discover the best routes and trails for your wilderness trips without the influence of social media.
Planning your own wilderness trips and drawing your own routes without relying on Instagram influencers can be incredibly rewarding. This process allows you to tailor your adventure to your personal preferences and capabilities, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. The sense of accomplishment that comes from researching and navigating your own path enhances the overall experience, providing a unique and intimate journey that is truly your own. By crafting your own adventure, you can discover hidden gems, avoid overcrowded trails, and create memories that are genuinely meaningful and original.
While planning your own wilderness trips is deeply rewarding, it's also beneficial to connect with people on Instagram who have visited the places you want to go and hiked the trails you want to explore. We don't want to ban Instagram completely!! These individuals can offer valuable first-hand insights, practical tips, and up-to-date information about trail conditions, potential hazards, and must-see spots.
Engaging with the online hiking community allows you to ask specific questions and exchange experiences, which can enhance your preparation and confidence. Balancing your independent research with advice from experienced hikers on Instagram can provide a well-rounded foundation for a successful and enjoyable adventure.
A Word on Geotagging
The impact of geotagging on remote wilderness places has been profound and multifaceted. On the positive side, geotagging has brought greater visibility to these pristine areas, encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of remote locations.
However, the influx of visitors driven by social media geotagging has detrimental effects. Remote wilderness areas often lack the infrastructure to handle large numbers of tourists, leading to environmental degradation such as trail erosion, littering, and disruption of local wildlife habitats. The delicate ecosystems in these regions are particularly vulnerable to human impact, and the sudden surge in foot traffic can result in long-term damage that is difficult to reverse.
First Steps: Determining Your Distance and Choosing a Region
The first steps in planning a wilderness trip involve determining how far you want to go and selecting a region that matches your interests and capabilities. Start by assessing your fitness level and experience to decide on a manageable distance and duration for your hike. Consider the type of terrain you’re comfortable with and the elevation gain you’re willing to tackle. Once you have a rough idea of your trip length, research different regions that offer the kind of natural beauty and trail conditions you seek. Whether you’re drawn to mountainous landscapes, dense forests, or coastal trails, choosing a region that excites and challenges you is crucial for a rewarding outdoor adventure.
Finding routes:
1. Utilize Topographic Maps and Guidebooks
Topographic maps and hiking guidebooks have been the go-to resources for outdoor enthusiasts long before the advent of social media.
Topographic Maps
US Geological Survey (USGS) Maps: These maps provide detailed information about terrain, elevation, and natural features. They are invaluable for planning routes in unfamiliar areas.
National Geographic Maps: Known for their accuracy and detail, these maps often include trailheads, distances, and points of interest.
I personally use the free version of the app and website Gaia GPS. It offers detailed maps, route planning, and offline capabilities for backcountry navigation.
Get 10% off Gaia Premium with this link!
Guidebooks
Local Guidebooks: Often written by seasoned hikers, these books provide detailed descriptions of trails, including difficulty levels, landmarks, and historical context.
Regional Hiking Guides: Books that cover broader areas but still offer in-depth insights into the most popular and lesser-known trails.
2. Consult with Local Guides, Visitor Centers and Outdoor Stores
Local knowledge is often the most reliable and tailored to your specific needs.
Outdoor Stores
REI and Local Outfitters: Staff at these stores are often experienced hikers and can provide personal recommendations and up-to-date trail conditions.
Specialty Stores: Shops that focus on specific outdoor activities (like climbing or kayaking) can offer insights into more niche trails and routes.
Visitor Centers and Ranger Stations
National and State Parks: Rangers and staff can provide detailed trail maps, current conditions, and safety tips.
Local Nature Reserves: These centers often have information on lesser-known trails and guided hike opportunities.
2. Learn from Hiking Clubs and Organizations
Joining a hiking club or organization can provide access to a wealth of collective knowledge and organized trips.
3. Explore Online Hiking Databases and Forums
The internet is a treasure trove of information if you know where to look beyond social media platforms.
Reddit, Backpacker.com, Hiking Project...
4. Utilize Satellite Imagery
Satellite imagery can offer a unique perspective and provide valuable information for planning your wilderness adventure. Keep in mind that landscapes change! Fires, floods, landslides... But Satellite Imagery is great to get a good idea of what the terrain looks like.
Satellite Maps
Google Earth: This tool allows you to explore terrain and landscapes in 3D. You can identify potential trails, water sources, and campsites from a bird’s-eye view.
CalTopo: Provides access to various map layers, including satellite imagery, which can be used to assess the terrain, vegetation, and other natural features.
Real-time and Historical Data
Sentinel Hub: Offers access to real-time and historical satellite data. This can be useful for understanding changes in the landscape over time, such as seasonal water flow or vegetation growth.
NASA Worldview: Provides daily satellite images that can help you monitor weather conditions and natural events that might affect your trip.
Study Environmental and Wildlife Resources
Understanding the environment and wildlife of your destination can enhance your trip and ensure you are prepared for any encounters.
Environmental Databases
NatureServe Explorer: Offers comprehensive information on ecosystems, plants, and animals you may encounter.
National Park Service (NPS) Websites: Each park’s website provides in-depth information on the local flora and fauna, geology, and climate.
Wildlife Guides
Field Guides: Books like the Peterson Field Guides or National Audubon Society Guides can help you identify plants, birds, and animals along the trail.
So, to recap all of this, here is my personal step by step process:
I determine how far I want to drive depending on how much time I have
I draw a circle on Gaia GPS
I start zooming on the app
I draw a couple potential routes that look interesting on the map and work with my skills and time
Now that I have a couple ideas, I google search each of them individually
I find and read trip reports, blogs, call visitor centers and rangers if necessary
I check satellite images to help me visualize the trail/rivers, camp spots, etc
Now that I have narrowed down my options, I hop on Youtube to see if there are any vlogs or videos or the destination. This helps me visualize too.
If I need more info because everything else was outdated or I'm just not sure about the necessary skills, I now hop on Instagram and chat with local dirtbags
If I can't find anyone and still have doubts, I examine everything (maps, satellite images, etc) again very closely
If this is a multi-day wilderness trip, I now look for potential escape routes in case I need to bail
In the days leading up to the trip, I check the weather forecast consistently
Happy Trip Planning!
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