Homespun
Fun
Take a Hike
Family hiking hacks and trails off the beaten path BY SARA KORBER-DEWEERD
H
aving survived a spring of learning from home, many families are wondering what summer will bring. Will the continued presence of COVID-19 force them to postpone summer vacations? Uxbridge mom of two Emily Fortna planned her family’s vacations long before the
16 JUNE2020
coronavirus was a concern— one to Costa Rica and another with extended family on an Alaskan cruise, both of which may have to be postponed. “While we haven't actually canceled our vacations for this summer, we have been preparing our kids for a much quieter summer than originally planned,” she said.
Canceled vacation plans aren’t the only change we may experience. Kids are already wondering if beaches, parks, and campgrounds will be open. Will they be able to congregate for neighborhood playdates? What will become of the summer tradition of the multifamily outdoor barbecue? As we cautiously resume
the rhythms of daily life, at least one outdoor activity has remained open and accessible—hiking. Whether you enjoy scaling a peak or strolling a wide-open path, getting outside and into the woods is a pastime that has grown in popularity in recent months. Research reveals many health benefits of spending time in the woods. According to the U.S. Forest Service, “exposure to forests strengthens our immune system, reduces blood pressure, increases energy, boosts our mood and helps us regain and maintain our focus in ways that treeless environments just don’t.” It’s no wonder more families are seeking treescapes to enjoy these days. Throughout Massachusetts’ stay-at-home advisory, state parks remained open. Yet the significant increase in visitors to state parks at times made social distancing difficult and even forced state police to close them during peak hours when they reach capacity. “We tried going on a few trails early on but were uncomfortable with how busy they were and people not adhering to good social distancing, so we have mostly been walking and biking in our neighborhood,” said Fortna. Many parents have reported similar situations. Determined to stay active and make the
occasional escape from home, families are on the hunt for “off-the-beaten-path” trails that may be less populated and easier to navigate. Choosing a trail Recently, friends introduced us to a new hiking app that’s perfect for hunting down lesser known trails. The AllTrails hiking app designed for IOS and Android devices allows users to search for hiking trails utilizing multiple browsing categories such as top trails nearby, best views, and trail suitability for dogs, kids, and even strollers. Users can also search for trails by skill level and outdoor activity such as mountain biking or hiking. Once a hike is selected, the app offers a summary of the trail including average foot traffic and difficulty of the terrain, and provides directions to trail parking areas. An optional mapping feature tracks movement on the trail so hikers know if they’re still on course. Even if the GPS signal is lost while in the woods, downloaded maps in the app can still track hikers’ movement. Another great website, Atlas Obscura, claims to be “the definitive guide to the world’s hidden wonders.” It can be used to locate often overlooked sites in an area. We discovered the Holy Hill of Zion trail when we searched for Bancroft Castle. Hiking
