"Hey, Hiker!" 



Hello, hiker, how does it go ? 



How far to camp a mile or so ? 



Just a little way farther, 

 Just around the next corner, 

 Just this big hump and another, 

 Just a mile or two more. 



How far is a mile, I'd like to know, 



When you're hitting the trail on a tramp ? 



Oh, a mile is as far as you've yet to go 

 Till you've hoofed it on into camp. 



Rhymes of the Rangers 



"Ranger, what's the best time to hit the trail?" 



The Old-Timer reflected, recalling many seasons in the mountains. 



"Well, it all depends," he surmised, finally. "June's when the trails 

 thaw in these parts. June's when the mountain flowers poke their heads 

 through the snow. Some would say June's the time to hit the trail. But 

 then there's July when the trails are drier and the woods are in full 

 leaf and the snow's all melted except on the north slopes of the peaks. 

 On the other hand, by August the bugs are gone and camping is more 

 comfortable. For myself, I like to hit the trail about September, when 

 the season's over and there's a touch of autumn in the air. You can 

 take your choice." 



"What kind of a mountaineer are you?" he asked, as if by after 

 thought. 



"Oh, fair to middling, but nothing wonderful." 



"Not what I meant," insisted the Old-Timer. "How do you classify? 

 Club mountaineer, free-lance mountain climber, 

 nature lover, trail rider, or just a plain ordi 

 nary hiker? There's all kinds on the trails, 

 you know." 



"I didn't know it made any difference, but 

 I guess I'm just a plain hiker." 



"It makes a difference in what you're try 

 ing to do in the mountains," explained the 

 ranger, "and that has something to do with 

 when you'd best hit the trail. F'r instance " 



He went on to explain that club mountain 

 eers come in bevies, pitch their tents near some 



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