Hike Rating System

Hikes are rated according to their distance, pace, and ruggedness. A typical rating might be "B3C". The first letter (or pair of letters) indicates the hike's distance:

• AA = over 13 miles
• A = 9 - 13 miles
• B = 5 - 8 miles
• C = under 5 miles

The number in the middle indicates the pace the leader expects to set (on average terrain):

• 1 = very fast (2.5 mph or faster)
• 2 = fast (2 - 2.5 mph)
• 3 = moderate (1.5 - 2 mph)
• 4 = leisurely (less than 1.5 mph)

The final letter indicates the kind of terrain:

• A = very strenuous
• B = strenuous
• C = average
• D = easy

If there are two letters at the end (for example, "B3BC"), it indicates the terrain is somewhere between the levels indicated by either of the letters alone.

As always, if you have any questions about what the hike will be like, call the trip leader or hiking contact person.