Slideshow: Trail Hazards

Video: Safe Hiking

ROSR: Staying safe on the trail

ROSRSafety by SLOHiking

Hiking safe in SLO County

The recent spotting of a black bear in town has people thinking about safety while out on the trails around San Luis Obispo County, most however, aren’t worried about the animals.

The area is known for having a myriad of wildlife roaming its free spaces, but they aren’t the first thing in mind for safety. Local resident Mercedes Pascual hikes around town several times a week.

“I always take my dog and pepper spray, but I’m usually more worried about people,” said

Safety on the trail in San Luis Obispo seems to be more focused on avoiding poison oak and the ticks carrying lime disease. Josh Haring is manager of Mountain Air Sports and an avid hiker. He said while there is wildlife to think about, it’s not the biggest safety concern on the trail.

“It’s pretty rare to see any of the bigger threats out there,” Haring said of the bears, mountain lions and rattlesnakes that live where we play.

Haring said the best way to stay safe while hiking is to always go with another person. If you are injured there’s help and the extra noise usually keeps the wildlife at bay.

How to choose a hiking boot.

Josh Haring, manager of Mountain Air Sports in San Luis Obispo talks about choosing a hiking boot.

Black Hill, Morro Bay, CA

ROSRBlackHill by SLOHiking

Dinosaur Caves, Shell Beach, CA

Oso Flaco Nature Trail

ROSROSOFLACO by SLOHiking

Cerro San Luis

The marine layer covers Cerro San Luis on a fall morning - by Rhiannon Montgomery

Cerro San Luis is popular for hiking, jogging and mountain biking enthusiasts in the county.

Health benefits from hiking

Dr. Kourosh Bagheri gives a brief synopsis on the benefits of hiking related to health.

Transcript:
The cardiovascular benefits of hiking, where you train your body to do better. And psychologically, it’s actually very important to consider the psychological effects of hiking, not only does it relax you and help you let go of some of your daily thoughts, but also the psychology of hiking is very important.