Hiking Safely After Natural Disasters

Explicit

Storms don’t just reshape landscapes—they reshape the hiking experience. In this episode of Shawn & Mike Take A Hike, we’re diving into a topic that many hikers don’t think about until it’s too late: how natural disasters like ice storms, wildfires, floods, and high winds can leave trails dangerous or completely inaccessible. After a recent ice storm in northern Michigan closed several trails for the entire summer, we realized just how important this conversation is.

We’ll talk about how to recognize hazards like “widowmakers” (dangling or broken branches ready to fall), unstable terrain, washed-out trail segments, damaged bridges, and the hidden risks that come with hiking in the aftermath of a natural event. We’ll also discuss how long-term storm damage can affect trail conditions, ecosystems, and wildlife activity—along with how to f ...