Before leaving
Check alerts, weather, route margin, equipment, water, and return time.
Seasonal PREP
Spring Wildlife and Outings
Spring Maryland planning guide for wildlife distance, wet trails, nesting season, ticks, storms, and changing access.
Plan before instinct takes over.
Seasonal risk is usually ordinary until attention slips: a late start, wet surface, approaching storm, cold water, hunting overlap, or wildlife encounter. Set the decision before the moment arrives.
At arrival
Read signs, parking, trailhead notices, water, wind, crowds, and wildlife cues.
During the outing
Use your stop point, keep distance, and turn around before the plan becomes fragile.
