Even if you're going to the desert, you should still bring a warm jacket since temperatures can dip at night. Handling worst-case scenariosIf you get lost, know that "panic is your greatest enemy," the Forest Service says. For these situations, the Forest Service recommends following its "STOP" protocol: Stop, Think, Observe and Plan. Running water, such as a stream or river, is usually cleaner than stagnant bodies of water, Townes said. kmatija/iStockphoto/Getty ImagesThere are optimal times to rest and eat or expend energy, according to the Forest Service.

Source: CNN November 30, 2021 22:49 UTC