New hiker guide
If you haven’t signed up with us yet, please visit our page for prospective group members to learn how to complete your application and get started.
Each week our group has four hikes that travel at different rates and styles—something to suit most active seniors.
Our group’s two Tuesday hikes are a great place to start for seniors joining our group for the first time, or for those who prefer easier terrain/shorter hikes.
Our group’s two Thursday hikes are more difficult and may be longer, with greater elevation gain and more difficult terrain to navigate.
Whether a hike is easier or more difficult, our groups all hike at a moderate pace that’s comfortable for all group members.
For the sake of safety and sociability our team always sticks together on our treks. We strongly suggest you read our safety page to understand the roles and responsibilities of fast/slow hikers.
Please note that our hiking group does not allow pets.
What to wear
Layers
The weather can change quickly, especially with altitude—it's good to be able to cool off or warm up quickly.
We travel uphill and downhill, and sometimes sit to appreciate the world around us. These frequent changes can cause our internal weather to change often as well.
Fabrics
Synthetics and silk are great for hikes because they help wick up moisture.
Try to avoid cotton—it is cold and heavy when wet. In a rainy region like the Pacific Northwest, we expect rain on many of our hikes.
Wool helps insulate us against the cold, but is also heavy when wet and doesn’t dry quickly.
Footwear
We navigate mud, roots, rocks, and other terrain hazards on our hikes—aim to be prepared for these environments by wearing the appropriate footwear.
Boots are the best footwear for hiking—they have sturdy soles with a strong grip.
Ankle protection and support helps us maintain our stability as we hike around or over obstacles.
Street shoes, tennis shoes, and running shoes are generally inadequate for hiking.
What to carry
We first recommend you consult the ten essentials of hiking for an excellent list of helpful items to include in your pack. We also recommend:
Lots of water
Supplementing water with drinks with electrolytes (like sports drinks) help us replenish from sweating and exhalation.
Food
Most of our hikes include a lunch stop.
Extra food for emergencies or delays. Dense, nutrient-rich foods can last us a long time and don’t take up a lot of room in our packs.
