All out of town hikes have a local car pool meeting place.  The location and time is also listed on the hike information. If you plan to car pool, gas money is donated to the drivers.

Drivers and riders benefit from carpooling. You get conversation, you meet new people, and the driver gets a navigator.

• Hiking Boots: (Rough Terrain/Woodland Hiking) They should be comfortable. Good ankle support makes hiking up and down the escarpment much more comfortable. Good treads work well in muddy conditions. Waterproof boots are nice, and they work well in the winter too. Even in hot weather, you should wear heavy sweat socks. A good trick is to wear two pairs. Thin socks inside heavy socks slide a bit, preventing blisters. If the thin socks are polypropylene, they wick sweat away from your feet.
    
• Good Walking Shoes: (Cement/Blacktop Hiking) A good pair of walking shores is recommended.  They should be comfortable and give you the cushion that you need to help keep your knees, hips and back from jarring, grating and hurting with every step on the hard surface.
   
• Water: and/or other non-alcoholic beverages.  Figure on bringing at least a liter of water, and even more on a hot day. (Water is required)
   
• Lunch: Bring only if mentioned on the hike information.
   
• Appropriate Clothing: In colder weather, you should bring warm, layered clothing, e.g.. underwear, a turtleneck or lighter shirt, sweater and/or a light jacket). You will get warmer as you start hiking, so plan on being able to manage your temperature. On rainy days ponchos have been known to become necessary. The fun hikes are often the rainy ones.
   
• Money: For gas donation and dinner. Dinner is optional, but should be clarified with the driver.

• Stay behind the Leader, and in front of the Sweep.  The hike Sweep is a designated last hiker as a safety measure.
   
• Stick together. Keep the person in front of you in sight, and watch for the people behind you. If you cannot see the people behind you, yell forward for the group to stop.
   
• Try not to dawdle. A group can move no faster than the slowest member. The hike leader has planned a hiking route and arranged for times. There is only a certain amount of time available to hike.
  If someone really pokes along, it spoils the day for everyone else.
   
• If you have to make a stop in the woods, let the hike sweep know.  We don't want to lose you.
   
• For any reason you leave the hike group you are on your own.  Let either the sweep or leader know you are leaving the group.
   
• No smoking or alcohol beverages on the trails or in carpools.
   

• Respect the privacy of people living along the trail.
• Leave the Trail cleaner than you found it - carry out all your litter.
• Leave flowers and plants for others to enjoy.
• Do not damage live trees or strip off bark.
• Protect and do not disturb wildlife.
• Leave only your thanks and take nothing but photographs.

• Level 1
  Well defined trails, some blacktop/cement and gentle inclines. Hiking boots not required, but trails may be wet. Recommended for new hikers.
   
• Level 2
  Generally on a trail. May be hilly, some rough spots or obstacles. Hiking boots/good walking shoes suggested. Recommended for new hikers.
   
• Level 3
  Rough terrain. Long climbs and descents. Hiking boots suggested.
   
• Level 4
  High steep sections, rocky, tree rooted, with and undefined trails. Hiking boots a must. Recommended for a agile experienced hikers.
   
• Level 5
  Undefined or defined trails.  The hike will be filled with constant steep hills, rough terrain and hazards.  Hiking boots a must. Recommended for a physically strong experienced hikers.
   

To join the hiking club:

1. Contact Membership using e-mail: cohc_hikingclub@yahoo.com  for the necessary information. Membership is $18 a year.
2. Sign up on a day hike.  The membership chairperson or a representative will be there to help you.