Community through carpooling: Tips to make the most of the ride
Looking for a way to make the drive to the trailhead more fun as the days get longer? We chatted with our partners at Western Washington Honda Dealers about how carpooling can help conserve resources — and how it can be a fun way to build community before your boots even hit the trail.
Spring and summer mean longer days and more time for outdoor adventures. As snow melts at higher elevations, many of us head to the mountains, sometimes traveling long distances to get to remote trailheads. Looking for a way to make the drive more fun? Try carpooling! We chatted with our partners at Western Washington Honda Dealers about how carpooling can help conserve resources — and how it can be a fun way to build community before your boots even hit the trail.
Carpooling to hikes has significant benefits. There are the obvious savings in fuel and maintenance costs for your group, along with an overall reduction in emissions. Fewer cars at the trailhead can reduce the wear and tear on already rough roads and relieve parking congestion. Catching a ride with a friend also allows hikers without access to high clearance vehicles to reach trails at the end of pothole-riddled dirt roads. And while many hikes are accessible via public transit, the vast majority require the use of a car. Offering a ride to others helps more people get outdoors and enjoy the many proven benefits of time spent outside.
Carpooling is a fun way to enjoy time with friends and family even before you get to the trail. Photo by Erika Haugen-Goodman.
Spending time together in the car before and after a hike is also a great opportunity to connect with friends and family — or to make new friends. Plus, you’ll avoid the frustration of trying to coordinate your arrival at the trailhead when you don’t have cell service and can’t check in if you’re running late, lost or need to cancel.
Check out the tips below to make the most of your carpooling adventure!
On the drive there
- Use this time to check in and see how everyone feels about the plan for the day. Are there potential hazards to look out for, such as fast river crossings or reports of bees on the trail? Be sure to make space for everyone to communicate and to address any concerns. Pro tip: Set a firm turnaround time and communicate your plans to someone outside of your group. If you haven’t already, take advantage of cell service before you lose it and have one of the passengers text a trusted friend your plans and anticipated return time.
- Chat about what you’re looking forward to seeing on your trip. Will there be wildflowers blooming or fun fungi to search for, or maybe a favorite bird you’re hoping to spot or hear? Pro tip: Before you go, check recent WTA trip reports to see what others have been finding on the trail in the last few days.
- Food for thought — check in to see what everyone packed for snacks! It’s always fun hearing what makes your fellow hikers happy and motivated on trail, and snacks are usually a big part of that. Pro tip: Knowing what snacks your friends are carrying means you’ll know who to hit up when you get tired of what you brought. If you want to be the one everyone turns to for a tasty treat, check out these ideas for trail-friendly snacks and lunches.
Make sure everyone’s gear will fit while still allowing the driver to see out the back of the vehicle. Photo by Catherine Vine.
On trail
- Stick together or make sure you have firm plans for when you’ll meet at the trailhead. Nothing kills the fun carpooling vibe quite like waiting a long time for everyone to arrive at the car. Pro tip: If you won’t be hiking together, you can still set designated check points along the route where you’ll meet up and check in before continuing on. This is especially helpful at trail junctions so that you can ensure everyone takes the correct trail. If you’re carrying satellite communication devices, make sure you’ve shared contact information ahead of time so you’ll be able to communicate.
- Check in throughout your trip to make sure everyone is comfortable with the pace and conditions. Pro tip: Allowing slower hikers to be in front, setting the pace, can help ensure no one feels left behind or struggles to keep up. This will also avoid the dreaded slinky stop, where a slower group member catches up to a break spot only to have the group move on before the slower hiker has a chance to rest and grab a snack.
- Clean as much mud/dirt/snow off you and your gear as possible before getting in the car. Bring along some bags or bins for dirty gear so you keep the car cleaner. Pro tip: Check in with the driver ahead of time to see what their preferences are for dirty gear on the way home, and plan accordingly.
Carpooling can be a fun way to extend your time together with friends and family. Photo by Nansie Ike.
On the drive home
- The trip home is a great time to debrief how the day went and if there were opportunities to make different decisions. Did everyone have a good time and feel safe? What was everyone’s favorite part of the day? Pro tip: Creating a good group dynamic starts with making sure everyone has a voice, no matter what their level of experience. It’s also helpful to do a mental debrief with yourself when you get home.
- Write a trip report to help your fellow hikers, land managers and WTA staff stay up-to-date on current trail conditions. If one of the passengers in your group is comfortable reading and typing while the car is moving, you can use the time to create a group trip report that captures the highlights from your adventure and also any challenges you faced like downed trees or damaged bridges. Pro tip: Trip reports are a fun and easy way to create a journal of your trips together that everyone can enjoy re-reading and sharing. Download WTA’s free app, Trailblazer, and easily file your trip report even before you’re back in cell service!
We hope these tips help you build or strengthen your own carpooling community. Thank you again to our partners at Western Washington Honda Dealers for supporting WTA and our free resources that help hikers get outside!
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