Pack the car the night before.
Start with the car
The Montour Trail runs more than sixty miles through the hills west and south of Pittsburgh, and plenty of the trailheads are a short drive from Bridgeville. Most good trail days go wrong in the parking lot, not on the path, so the car comes first.
Check tire pressure before you leave. Cold mornings drop pressure, and a bike rack plus a full trunk adds weight. A Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor lets you set the number and walk away while it fills. Keep an Everlit Survival Car Emergency Kit in the trunk all year. It holds jumper cables, a tow strap and first aid basics, which is the short list of what you need when a trailhead lot is empty at dusk.
Pack for the people
- Water and more water than you think. Refill points are not everywhere.
- A spare pair of Aviator Sunglasses for Men Women in the door pocket for the ride home into the low sun.
- Comfortable shoes for the walk from the lot. Grounded Barefoot Footwear for Women Men pack flat and slip on over tired feet.
- A light snack and a few bandages, even if the kit in the trunk has more.
Bring the dog without bringing the mud home
Dogs love the trail and the creek crossings love dogs. A Pets Antibacterial Dog Paw Cleaner filled with water and left on the floor mat makes the cleanup two minutes long. Keep a pack of Finger Wipes for Dogs & Cats in the glovebox for faces and ears, and a Squeaky Dog Toy Balls (6 Colors) for the grassy stretches.
After the ride
Back home, vacuum the trail grit out of the car while it is still dry. A cordless Super Power Mini Car Vacuum Cleaner handles seats and mats in a few minutes. Then put the inflator back in the trunk, refill the water jugs and the car is ready for next weekend.