It is important to plan ahead when you are thinking about taking a full day hike. There is nothing better than enjoying the day and relaxing out in the wilderness. But you should always be prepared for all situations, so you are not stranded out in the middle of no where with no one to help you.
It is important to bring snacks along so you are able to maintain your energy. Healthy, protein filled snacks will provide you with the fuel and nutrients that you need in order to continue on your hike comfortably. Even if you do not plan on staying for a very long time or you ate before you started, it is a good idea to pack a granola bar or similar snack in case you get lost and take a wrong turns somewhere. There are plenty of snacks are packaged conveniently so that they are easy to pack, store, and eat on the go.
One of the most important things that you should hike is a first aid kit. You might find yourself injured and be in a area without cell phone service. You should be prepared to bandage yourself up in the event that you are injured in the middle of a trail, far away from your car or other people. This will helpful for scrapes, bites, and twisted ankles. A wilderness survival book is another great thing to bring along with the first aid kit. It is not likely that you will be able to remember exactly how to treat every wound, so the book will be a great point of reference. Always bring the first aid kit with you, even if you do not think the trail you are going to be on is very difficult. It is extremely easy to fall and twist an ankle or scratch your leg on a rock. First aid kits are easy to come by so there is no reason you should not have one.
It is also necessary to protect your skin for overexposure to the sun. You should always remember to use sun protection before a hike, but it will also need for be reapplied throughout the hike. Many people do not know that so they do not bother to bring it with them. The sunscreen will wear off after an hour or two so you risk getting sunburned if you do not bring it with you and continue to reapply. This is especially important while hiking before you are likely to be sweating, and the sweat will wash the sunscreen off faster.
Lastly, never forget to bring water. You are going to get thirsty, and there is nothing worse than being three hours from your car and realizing you are out of water. Failing to keep up your hydration also extremely dangerous, even if the temperature is not hot. You body can dehydrate very quickly and dehydration can cause you to stumble around get injured more easily. It is typically a good idea to bring twice as much water as you expect to drink in order to get hydrated on your hike.