Hike It Off Magazine Issue Seven

HIKE IT OFF

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A WILD ANIMAL ON THE TRAIL?

PART FOUR: SNAKES PAGE 7

SUMMER HIKES WITH A COOL PAYOFF PAGE 24

THIS IS INDIAN LAND: HOT SPRINGS

NATIONAL PARK PAGE 15

FOR THE LOVE OF LIFE; REASONS TO HIT THE TRAIL PAGE 76

EDITOR'S NOTE

7

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A WILD ANIMAL ON THE TRAIL? PART FOUR: SNAKES

15

THIS IS INDIAN LAND: HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

24 SUMMER HIKES WITH A COOL PAYOFF

49

WILD WOMEN IN HIKING: SYDNEY WILLIAMS

62

HOW TO DEEPEN YOUR ECOLOGY; THE QUIETING HIKE

68 SETTING SUMMER HIKING PLANS

76

FOR THE LOVE OF LIFE; REASONS TO HIT THE TRAIL

81

TIME TO TAKE A HIKE AFTER A YEAR OF EMOTIONAL EATING

87 WELCOME TO THE WOODS

93 LETTERS TO THE LOLLYGAGGER

editor's note

Hike It Off was conceived a few years ago deep in the heart of the Sierra over a campfire and strong mountain cocktails. My husband, and Co-Founder Tony Purinton, and his best bud Rick Beach, always came home with much more than memories and bruises while on their many hiking trips.They are notorious for mantras and catchy sayings inspired by their biggest muse, the mountains.They would discuss putting some of their favorites on tshirts.They always wanted clothing that represented the way they felt about hiking, but could never find what they were looking for in stores. Hike It Off was always the first mantra they talked about putting on a t-shirt, but once they were back to the daily grind and distractions of life, the t-shirts never became a reality.

Then something happened that would change everything for us On June 4th, 2014 while celebrating my birthday, the universe decided to change our lives forever. While stepping over some rocks on a trail I have hiked a hundred times before, I lost my balance and in a split second shattered all three bones and dislocated my right ankle. We had no idea how much our lives were about to change, lying in the dirt waiting for help to arrive

When you are unable to do what you love and are forced to be still and really think about your life and what is most important, your perspective changes. After two surgeries, a prognosis of a year of recovery, and an uncertain outcome, the thought of not being able to hike again was a real fear that crossed both of our minds daily We both realized then how much hiking meant to us and even though this was the most difficult obstacle we had ever needed to overcome, we knew that the universe in its tricky little way had created an opportunity for us through this misadventure.

While I was in recovery, Hike It Off was born. I was determined to bring this dream to life- both in the t-shirts Tony had always envisioned and in writing, my true gift. Now we live, breathe, eat, and sleep Hike It Off It is our dream, medicine, and future. We are so honored to be able to share it with hikers that are just like us. Hikers who live to hike it off!

Jaime Purinton

Jaime Purinton EDITOR IN CHIEF

”

Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

What should you do if you encounter a wild animal on the trail?

Part four: Snakes

Series By: Duke Brady, Survivalist

Pacific Rattlesnake

Duke Brady is back for part four, and the final article of "What to do if you Encounter a Wild Animal on the Trail" and this time he is teaching us about snakes. Duke is an environmental scientist, backcountry guide, and part time TV survival expert. He has trekked and "scienced" from the arctic shores of Alaska to the sweltering jungles of the tropics. He has spent some quality time out in nature, joining the food chain with a bit more zeal than an average day hike.

Snakes on a Plain

Danger Noodles, Nope-Ropes, Slithery Sticks. Whatever you call them, snakes are amazing and adorable and you will never change my mind. Unfortunately for them, many people have phobias, fears, and a general lack of education about how to act around serpents and within their habitat. Justifiably, despite their admirable prowess ("look ma, no hands!") and cute nature, some are venomous enough to do bodily harm or death, therefore requiring us to hit the reptilian books before hitting the trail. And no, snakes are not poisonous; I've eaten plenty.

Red Diamondback Rattlesnake

Tip the Scales in you Favor

Just like any other friendly fauna we've discussed in this series, knowing who you're dealing with will inform you of how to deal with them. Prerequisites for this include understanding where you are and what might live there. Here in the West, we can usually use the shape of a snake's head as diagnostic: Triangular shape, Watch your nape. And although I just made that saying up, it can be useful here in the Western United States, since rattlesnakes are fairly common, have said head shape, and are our only native venomous slithereen. To the untrained eye, many nonvenomous species may have the appearance of more caustic fellows; consider learning these differences as another "permit" to your wilderness experience. And although U.S. numbers of venomous snake bite deaths are low (around 5 deaths out of 7,500 bites annually), the more you know, the more you'll go. I think I just made that saying up as well.

No Fang You

Rattlesnakes are ambush predators, and can hunker in place for hours after finding a prey's den or suitable strike site. They're brilliant enough to manipulate vegetation for a better shot, but they wouldn't know to not strike an errant ankle that came stomping through its blind. Know where you're stepping, and if the other side of a log/rock/shrubbery may harbor a nice little snake stakeout. Rattlesnakes do actually rattle like crazy as a warning if cornered or threatened, and it's worth hearing that frightening cacophony from the comfort of your home before your next venture. April through October are typically when reptiles will be most active, and if you're East of the Rockies, you'll also have Copperheads, Cottonmouths, and Coral snakes to be

aware of as well. The more you're in their prime season and habitat, the more vigilant you'll have to be.

Copperhead

Don't Gamble with Snake

Eyes

Any snake bite should be scrutinized to determine your next steps. If you have been bit, it is critical to try and identify the snake, using all sight and sound evidence. Nonvenomous snake bites should follow protocol for local wound care, infection monitoring, and tetanus considerations. If you think or know you have been bitten by a rattlesnake, there's about a 25% chance it's a dry bite, with minimal or no venom disbursed. Regardless, all suspected rattlesnake bites should be treated as life threatening, and these next steps should be taken immediately:

-DO try and stay calm. Separate yourself from the animal and to safety, but have someone safely track it in order to obtain identifying data.

-DON'T try to "suck" out the venom, rub charred cow dung on it, cut an X into the bite area, or utilize those useless "hicky machines" that label themselves as Snake Bite Kits. They don't work, they just suck.

-DO immobilize the affected limb, but do not compress or constrict (NO TOURNAQUETS). If it's a leg/foot, that patient should be carried as much as possible.

-DO document as much as you can about the snake and its environment as well as progression of symptoms in the patient since envenomation.

-DO transport the patient to a hospital ASAP, and preferably one that you've confirmed has antivenin (call ahead or make this part of your pre-planning).

Side note on Dogs: All of the above rules apply to pooches, replacing Hospital with Emergency Veterinarian Clinic. Many will have antivenin, as dog envenomations are unfortunately commonplace. If you're an avid outdoors person who loves your dog, please consider Snake Aversion Training for your pet, and keep them on a leash until you are certain they can navigate snake territory safely.

Cottonmouth

Train the Pain Away

The only people that deserve to get bit by snakes are usually the ones whose parting phrase is "Check this out, hold my beer...", but if you do find yourself in a sticky situation, try to keep your wits about you and remember what you've learned. In Wilderness Medicine, we train in mock scenarios to give ourselves a "cellular memory" and execute proper lifesaving procedures in auto-pilot, under extreme stress and adrenaline response. Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness First Aid training are a must in my book for everyone, even less avid hikers and campers; I've helped people with my training in urban settings more than in the wild. Visualize how you would deal with a snakebite situation, and do some of that pre planning in a fun and educational practice scenario. It may just save your life!

Follow Duke on Instagram here.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

LucyMuddLottson,LouLottson,RobertLottson, MaryMaude,TallChiefThompsonholdingVictoria, MaryThompson,WillieThompson.PhotocourtesyCharles BankWilsonCollectionCirca1903

The smallest National Park has a rich indigenous history. At "just" 5,550 acres, Hot Springs National Park could fit inside the uncontested largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, almost 2,400 times over. Located in the county seat of Garland, Arkansas, and tucked next to the town of Hot Springs, the region first piqued the interest of non-Natives when it was declared the Hot Springs Reservation by a U.S. act of Congress on April 20, 1832. It was well before the idea of national parks existed, and the first time in the post-colonial county, the land was set aside expressly for preservation and recreation.

Shortly after the congressional act, Hot Springs began to be developed as a "spa town" and became incorporated in 1851.

However, the seemingly idyllic embrace of the unique area has unsurprisingly played a long and critical role in the cultural, medicinal, spiritual, and utilitarian needs and practices of several Native American tribes. Based on the earliest known archaeological evidence, estimates say indigenous people were the original inhabitants of what is now called Hot Springs National Park for circa 8,000 years, with Native Americans calling the region home for about

3,000 years before colonization. Some scholars believe the Quapaw lineage is traced to the Pacha or perhaps the Casqui, which lived in Arkansas in the sixteenth century. A Quapaw oral story tells of the tribe's immigration from the Ohio River Valley, which aligns with the Hernando de Soto expedition.

Curiously, little archaeological evidence exists of tribes using the hot springs themselves, though that may be due to the springs' inherent tendency to wash away such clues. The hot springs are only present on one part of Hot Springs Mountain, the lower west slope, and there is much more indication of indigenous usage of the region in other parts of the mountain. Still, there is one documentation considered reliable by researchers that is dated in 1771, well before the federal government creates Hot Springs Reservation. According to Jean-Bernard Bossu, who stayed with the Quapaw Tribe, "The Akanças country is often visited by western Indians who come here to take baths. " He called the

water "high esteemed by native [sic] physicians who claim that they are so strengthening. "

Bossu was born in France and made his way to the Midwest by way of New Orleans. Intrigued by the various Native American tribes, he sailed the Mississippi River from the land of the Natchez to "les Akanças" (Arkansas) territory—a tribe correctly and known initially as Quapaw. The Quapaw were known to regularly interact with the French throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The Quapaws' initial historical western accounts are recorded in 1673 when they met a group of French explorers. These explorers called the Quapaws les Akanças, or "People of the South Wind, " and quickly called the nearby river and countryside by the same name.

He called the w

"high esteemed by native [sic]

physicians who claim that they are so strengthening. "

Martha Myrtle Angel & Unidentified Boy

The authenticity of Bossu's numerous reports and claims of his interactions with the Quapaws may be fodder for scholarly debate. Still, it is quite likely that his note of the tribe's strong connection to the hot springs is correct. However, his writing of "western Indians" leaves much room for interpretation and suggests the hot springs were used by more tribes than the Quapaws exclusively.

The History of the Quapaw Tribe

Quapaws are part of the Dhegiha Siouan language speakers (along with the Osage, Kansa, Ponca, and Omaha). In the seventeenth century, the tribe spread across four villages located along the Mississippi River. Today, three of these villages are located in what is now called Desha County. Quapaws further divided themselves into two moieties, or divisions, including Earth and Sky. They comprised of twenty-one clans. The four villages were home

to longhouses that were homes to numerous families, all of which surrounded the central plaza. The council house, where meetings by the village chief and elders were held, was located near the plaza. The Quapaws were unique amongst other tribes in the area as a patrilineal culture, with ancestry traced strictly through the father's family. This culture meant that wives moved in with their husband's families, and traditionally, they could not marry within their own moiety.

However, the Quapaw did intermarry with the French, which furthered their allyship. The Quapaws are known to have fought alongside and otherwise supported the French during times of war, helping to defend the Mississippi River from the Chickasaw (who aligned with the British). France ultimately gave up the Louisiana colony—which included Arkansas in 1762 to Spain. However, the Quapaw maintained their French ties while also extending their allyship to the newly-formed Spanish colonial government.

True Eagle aka Thrach-tche

Like many Native American tribes, the Quapaw divided their labor between men and women. It was a traditional male hunter, female gatherer dynamic. The women farmed maize, sunflowers, beans, squash, and other vegetables and plants, while the men mostly hunted wild game, including bear, deer, and bison. The Quapaw hunting territory stretched from what is today called Little Rock to throughout the Grand Prairie. Novaculite (colloquially known today as "Arkansas Stone") was quarried in Quapaw territory and was a key raw material to create tools. There is a broad range of population estimates of the Quapaw tribe in the seventeenth and eighteenth century, ranging from 3,500 – 7,500. The 1698 smallpox epidemic drastically reduced the estimate to 800 –1,200, according to some scholars. Through the eighteenth century, further epidemics and raids from nearby tribes, particularly the Chickasaw, continued to reduce the Quapaw population and ultimately unified two of the four tribal villages. The two tribes did reach peace in the 1780s, which

was a catalyst for the Quapaw welcoming the Chickasaw to their homeland, followed shortly by the Choctaw and Cherokee. Still, by the 1811 U.S. Census, there were twice as many white settlers as there were Quapaw in the area. It was a rush that was overwhelming to Native Americans in the region.

ceding of land

The Quapaw actively traded with other tribes and their white neighbors, the latter of which was growing at increasingly high rates. Corn and horses were especially commonly traded. As the white population grew at breakneck speed, the Quapaw land became more and more desirable. Since the so-called "settlers" arrived, the Quapaw did not catch the United States' eye as they did for the French and Spanish but when the U.S. united the river banks via the Louisiana Purchase, it left the Quapaw in a non-strategic position.

An 1818 treaty segregated the Quapaw to a one-million-acre

reservation that ran from the Ouachita rivers to Arkansas. In this treaty, the Quapaw gave up thirty million acres to the west and south of Arkansas. In return, they received $4,000 in products and a yearly payment of an additional $1,000 in such goods. This agreement was deemed not good enough for the "settlers, " who still wanted the Quapaw land remaining along the Arkansas River. After six years of intense pressure, the Treaty of 1824 was signed which ceded much of the new reservation back to the U.S. The Quapaw were given some land on the Red River and Caddo Parish in Louisiana, $4,000 in goods and $2,000 per year in additional goods, but only for the next eleven years. The treaty was highly specific, even allowing some reserved land on the Arkansas River for eleven "mixedblood" families. This was likely due to the extensive intermarriage between the Quapaw and French in decades past.

Disaster Ahead

In keeping with the new treaty, the Quapaw headed to Caddo in 1826 but were met with non-stop disaster. A flood destroyed their crops, and 60 Quapaws starved to death. Many consider intentional confusion of the treaties' bureaucracy that gnawed away at the tribe's confidence in the U.S. government and its agents. Six months after the move, the tribe split, and one-quarter returned to the Arkansas River, led by Sarasin, a Quapaw leader, leaving principal Heckaton behind.

The U.S. government begrudgingly gave 25 percent of the annual goods to Sarasin in Arkansas but did not allow the funds to be used to buy any land. This was a means of trying to force Sarasin back to Caddo. Most refused to go back and instead became squatters in what is now called Pine Bluff in Jefferson County. They became hired hands, hunting and picking cotton for numerous white families. Committed to returning home in full force, the tribe

leveraged their annuity and convinced Governor George Izard to purchase agricultural tools and fund schooling for ten tribal children. By the end of the decade, every Quapaw came home to Arkansas. This did not go over well with the U.S. government. By 1832, the tribe was told that only Sarasin would be allowed to stay. One year later, the Quapaw were in dire conditions, many finding refuge in nearby swamps. This led to the Treaty of 1833, which delegated 96,000 acres to the tribe. Many did not make the move to the new reservation, which further split up the tribe.

Quapaws Today

Today's Quapaw Nation is in northeastern Oklahoma. They were recognized by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act as one of the historic tribes from eastern Arkansas and are today consulted with on all Native Americancentric archaeological sites based in Arkansas. The reclamation of Quapaw land is slow but blossoming. In 2014, Quapaw

Nation bought 160 acres close to Little Rock Port Authority, where hundreds of Native American graves are said to be located. This site is less than 60 miles from what today is called Hot Springs National Park. The Quapaws requested Federal Trust status from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2014, which was ultimately granted but not before some non-Native Americans involved claimed that the real reason for the application was to build a casino. Pulaski County filed a request to deny the Quapaw application in 2015. However, in early 2019, the Quapaw Nation application was approved. The Quapaw remain one of the primary Native American tribes associated with what is now dubbed Hot Springs National Park. They maintain that the park holds a beloved cultural significance and regularly visit Bathhouse Row today. Built in 1922, the bathhouse was named Quapaw. Still, many consider that strictly for promotional reasons and not as a genuine homage to the park that spans what is traditionally Quapaw territory.

Getting out for a hike is a reward in itself. Stretching out the legs, feeling the warmth of the sun, taking in some views, and breathing the fresh air are just some of the many perks. Whether you prefer the warmth of a hot spring, the cool spray of a waterfall, or a dunk in the ocean, all these hikes offer a cool payoff.

Cummins Falls- Cookeville, TN

While the distance on this hike is short, the route to Cummins Falls (pictured on previous page) requires hikers to hike through the Blackburn Fork Scenic River, requiring balance and scrambling over rocks. This State Scenic river and the area surrounding it are also prone to flash flooding, so be aware of the weather. Muddy conditions can make the hike more challenging. Leashed dogs can also enjoy the three-mile out and back trail.

Start the hike on the Overlook Trail that begins behind the kiosks in the parking lot. Hike for .4 miles until you reach the overlook. Spend some time getting a view of Cummins Falls from above- a different perspective than when you get up close to it. Continue until you reach the Blackburn Fork River trail at about the one-mile mark.

The Blackburn Fork River trail begins with steep stairs as it descends into the river gorge. After the stairs, the trail flattens out as you follow the banks of the river. You will turn left once the trail reaches the river. Before you enter the river, change into water sandals (think Chacos or Tevas) for the quarter-mile journey in the water upriver.

The trail is not marked as you head upriver. Based on recent weather, you may have water up to your knees or water up to your ankles. The closer you get to Cummins Falls, the more rocks you will need to navigate. The falls are 75 feet tall. Visitors can swim into the falls. Large rocks around the falls are perfect for drying off and enjoying some time just viewing the water cascading down. Don't miss the fossils in the limestone rocks along the banks. Wildflowers bloom on the hillsides in the summer months as well. Minnows and bass may swim by you on your way to the falls. Make your way back to the trailhead retracing your path in the river, along the riverbanks and on the trail. There are bathrooms at the parking lot. Since Cummins Falls is within Cummins Falls State Park, there is an entrance fee for this hike. You also need to apply for a Gorge Access Permit to complete this hike.

Devil's Bathtub- Blackmore, VA

A natural sandstone watering hole, the out, and back 3.2-mile long hike to the "bathtub" is rated moderate. While the name may scare you, this hike has very little elevation gain- just 590 feet overall. The most difficulty comes from the 15 or more water crossings where rocks may be slippery, and water may go up past your knees.

The hike begins on an old rail bed and will descend to the first stream crossing . Be sure to take the trail to the left at . 25 miles to stay on the trail for Devil ' s Bathtub . The trail will hug the Devil ' s Fork stream , crossing it many times over . Yellow blazes will guide you along the trail that changes from time to time due to erosion and flooding Keep your eye out for the old coal car past the

5 mile mark .

As you get closer to the pool , the trail will begin to descend along the bank . A rope is present to assist hikers especially needed on the way back . Don ' t be tricked by the devil when you reach a watering hole at around 1 . 7 miles fed by a waterfall . This is an enjoyable spot , but you need to continue to reach the true pool . A wooden sign at 1 . 8 miles designates that you are at the " bathtub" a 10 ft long by 3 feet wide deep blue - green pool fed by a waterfall . After a dip , use the rope to help you back up the stream bank . Retrace the stream crossings as you head back to the parking lot .

This hike has become more popular over the years , so weekend parking is sometimes at a premium . Be careful of the no trespassing signs when parking as well . Low clearance cars will have difficulty accessing the trailhead . This area is prone to flash flooding , so be sure to watch the weather before attempting this hike . Those looking for a longer hike can add on the Devil ' s Fork Trail to create a 7 . 3 - mile loop with 1 , 600 feet of elevation gain . Leashed dogs may also enjoy this hike .

Dungeness Spit Trail- Sequim, WA

With only 135 feet of elevation change , the 10 . 5 - mile

rou ult , but it ' s the miles of beach sand that make the trail moderately rated . The trail can be accessed year - round with the New Dungeness Lighthouse ( with its continuous light since 1857 ) and museum as the turnaround point . Note that this trail is a part of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge , meaning it is excellent for bird watching , but dogs are not allowed . Bring something to collect sea glass along the route . Be sure to watch the tide levels , as low tide is the best time to visit where the sand will be wet . There is an entrance fee that can be paid at the kiosk in the parking area .

This hike begins with a paved trail through a canopy of

forest - the only shaded part of the hike . Salal and moss surround you before you make your way downhill approximately 130 feet down to the beach in less than a ½ mile .

Now along the shore , the trail is fairly flat and a mix of cobbles and fine grain sand . The Spit is one of the longest naturally occurring sand spits in the U . S . Dip your toes in the sand or the cool waters of the Dungeness Bay . Make a sandcastle , go fishing and grab the binoculars to watch the waterfowl and shorebirds along the hike . Large pieces of driftwood make great spots to take a break and just enjoy the sounds of the water . The round trip time estimated to complete the hike is approximately five hours plus time at the lighthouse . Views are abundant all along the trail , so turning around early is always an option .

Bald eagles , cormorants , and other birds are common visitors along the spit . The trail continues until you reach the lighthouse . The lighthouse is open for free tours daily 9 - 5 . Even if the lighthouse isn ' t open , take the time to climb up the 74 stairs to take in the panoramic view of Vancouver , Canada , the spit and the Strait of Jaun de Fuca on clear days . Be sure to fill up your water bottle for the hike back to the parking lot . If you are very interested

in lighthouses , consider the New Dungeness Lighthouse Keeper Program to spend a week as a lighthouse keeper . The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is open daily from 7 am to a ½ hour before sunset .

Fifth Water/ Diamond Fork Hot Springs- Spanish Fork, UT

A 2 . 5 - mile hike into the Uinta National Forest takes visitors to a hidden set of hot spring pools accessible year - round . Visitors may choose to ski / snowshoe , fat bike , or even hike in with spikes during the winter

months but be aware that the route is now 6 miles each way due to road closures . With only 575 feet of elevation gain , nothing is challenging about the hike except perhaps the final push up to the pools .

The trail skirts Sixth Water Creek before crossing over a bridge at 1 . 0 mile . The trail will now follow Fifth Water Creek . Much of the trail is shaded as it climbs up and down . Large boulders alongside the trail offer a great place to rest , especially the mushroom - shaped rock before you cross the bridge .

The trail has areas of erosion and steep drop - offs , so keep an eye out , especially if bringing younger hikers along . Most of these areas now feature fences for safety . You will pass several primitive campsites that may or may not be occupied . Expect to start smelling sulfur as the waters of the creek begin to turn a milky blue around the 2 . 0 - mile mark .

The pools offer a refreshing soak . As you head up the hill , the pools get warmer , culminating at the " Honey Pot . "

Enjoy the scenery before heading back to the trailhead .

There is a large parking lot for the Three Forks Trailhead , along with a pit toilet .

Florida Trail at University of Western Florida Dunes

Preserve- Santa Rosa Island, FL

Recognized as one of the eleven National Scenic Trails in the United States , the Florida Trail is 1 , 000 miles long .

Consider a hike at the University of Western Florida

Dunes Preserve for a unique view and a chance to dip your toes in the Pensacola Bay or spend a day on the water after hiking . This portion of the trail on Santa Rosa Island is all sand and a 3 . 4 - mile round trip . Hikeable yearround , your leashed pup can even enjoy a day on the sand , especially with the Pensacola Dog Beach right across the street . Sunset is a popular time to hike at the preserve .

There is no immediate access to the trail via a parking lot , so you can plan to be dropped off for the hike start that is along CR 399 or turn the hike into a 5 . 5 - 6 . 4 mile loop / out and back while parking at a beach parking area and either taking the dunes both ways or the paved bike trail back . Bring along the water and apply the sunscreen liberally as you begin your hike up and down the dunes . Follow the blaze posts as you hike along . At times , the posts may be hard to see with the windblown landscape .

You may need just to find the safest path on the dunes that will leave no trace . As the trail continues , it passes

through a maritime forest and marshland .

The trail will pass by the Bayview Campsite , where tent pitching on the sand is permitted . Continue through more marsh as the trail gets closer to the Portofino condo towers . The trail will meet up with the paved Pensacola Beach Trail . This paved section serves as the turnaround point . Benches offer a place to take in a snack and the view .

While you may take the paved beach trail back if making a loop , we recommend taking the dunes back for a bay and ocean view , including views of the Gulf of Mexico . Enjoy some time playing on the sand and in the water

Goldbug Hot Springs- Salmon, ID

Enjoyable year - round , the 3 . 5 moderate out and back hike to the Goldbug ( Elk Bend ) Hot Springs offers a great payoff . With a total of 950 feet of elevation gain , the hike offers no warm - up with a steep hill to start through the sagebrush . Once at the top , the trail will level off .

The hike ( snowshoe / spikes in winter ) begins on private property , so continued access relies on the considerate behavior of visitors . Once you pass through the gate , you will now be on National Forest Land . The trail will be a mix of overgrown vegetation to a scramble over rocks . Rockslides cover the trail in sections , and you will want to avoid the cacti on the part of the route .

As you reach the box steps , look out for a mossy waterfall - covered cave and take your time on the steep uphill to the pools as the reward will be worth it . Once you go over a small bridge , the pools will come into view . Several pools are ranging in size and temperature to relax in . Fed by a creek , the top pool is the warmest . The pools become colder the further out from the top pool you adventure . Retrace your steps back to the parking lot after a soak of

the muscles . A restroom and plenty of parking is available at the trailhead . A composting toilet is also found along the route . Camping is available in the area . Consider a nighttime trip to the hot springs for amazing star views . Bring your leashed pooch on this hike . Don ' t forget to stop and take some photos as the landscape views are incredible .

Gold Strikes Hot Springs- Boulder City, NV

The hike to Gold Strikes Hot Springs is as much about the challenging hike as it is the hot springs . A six - mile out and back , there is almost 1 , 500 feet of elevation gain and requires hikers to climb eight fixed ropes and scramble over rocks . This hike is not suited for children because of the terrain , and it is best to keep the pooch at home for this hike . Gloves are also recommended . It ' s important to note that this hike is closed from May - September due to extreme heat . Plenty of water and snacks are recommended as the hike is exposed . Flash floods are also common in the area .

Hikers can expect it to take 3 - 4 hours each way , and there is a checkpoint station before the hike begins to get challenging . The beginning of the hike is relatively tame and flat until the 1 . 5 - mile marker when you encounter a large boulder . Look right , and you will see a strap for stability and some steps to climb down . Arrows help hikers pick the safest routes as they begin to hike amongst the red rock canyon walls .

The hike has an overall elevation change of 950 feet , give or take . Desert bighorn sheep are commonly seen scampering the canyon walls with ease . The first hot

spring you encounter is likely dry , although the area is prone to flash floods , so some water may be present . Keep hiking until you find the second hot spring . This one typically has water , but a " secret " cave called the Cave of Wonder is probably the most exciting part of your stop here . A stream and a set of small waterfalls will lead you to the third and most popular spring to soak in .

The best part about the hot springs , beyond the relaxation , is the views of the Hoover Dam and the Colorado River from the pools . Cliff jumping is also common in the area . Visitors recommend a dip in the river ( about ¼ mile downhill ) before you enjoy the hot springs . The hike back out is said to be more difficult getting up the ropes . Leave plenty of time and energy for the hike back .

High Dune on First Ridge Great Sand Dunes National Park- Alamosa, CO

The most common dune to hike up at this national park , many visitors mistake the High Dune on the First Ridge to be the tallest and highest dune in the park . It isn ' t as five dunes are over 700 feet tall within the national park . Alas , this approximately 3 miles out and back ( depending on the route you take ) will have your calves burning and

After crossing Medano Creek , hikers zig - zag their way up the ridgeline to the top of the dune . There is no set trail to follow as the dunes are continually changing . On average , it takes about 2 . 5 to 3 hours to hike up . From the top , you can typically see the whole dune field . Be on the lookout for unique vegetation , including rice grass and scurfpea , and wildlife like the kangaroo rat and Abert ' s squirrels in the forest areas around the dunes .

As the dunes can reach temperatures over 100 ° F in the summer , and thunderstorms are common in the summer , getting an early morning start is recommended . Sunrises are epic from the top of the dunes . Storms move in quickly year - round , and the wind is common in the

afternoons . After the hike , enjoy some cool downtime in Medano Creek . Tubing is popular during late May through June , where snow runoff creates perfect conditions . Don ' t miss the chance to take a ride down the dunes on a sand sled as well .

Laguna Loop and Coastal Trail- Point Reyes Station, CA

This trail , located north of San Francisco , is a trail that offers a bit of something for everyone . A grassland trail that follows past the coastline covered in dunes and scrub . The loop trail is five miles long and rated easy to moderate , making it perfect for even little hikers . There are about 300 feet of elevation change , mostly on the way back inland . The trail is mostly exposed , so bring lots of water . Vegetation tends to take over the trail , so long pants are recommended . You can camp at Coast Camp - a popular spot for hiking in and hiking out . There is a bathroom and water access at the camp if needed . Bikes are allowed on the Coast Trail from the north trailhead to the campground .

We recommend you begin the trail off Muddy Hollow Road , where Coast - Trail North begins . Hike south on the trail as you enjoy ocean views as you head slightly

downhill on a double track . You will follow the trail southeast as you head towards Santa Maria Beach . You will see the campground near Santa Maria Creek that is reachable via the Santa Maria Beach spur trail . Don ' t forget to take a few swings on the giant eucalyptus tree .

Deer , raccoons , coyotes , and rabbits are frequently sighted along the trail . Take some time enjoying the water and the views of the coastline and bluffs before heading back on the Fire Lane Trail . As you head inland , the trail will slightly climb . Head left at the fork to continue onto the Laguna Trail . This trail will take you back to Muddy Hollow Road .

An alternative starting point is the Laguna Trailhead if there is no roadside parking available off Muddy Hollow Road . Note : bikes are allowed on the Coast Trail from the Coast Trail ' s northern trailhead near the Hostel to the Coast Campground , but no further .

Little River Canyon National Preserve-Lookout Mountain, AL

With over 26 miles of trails , Little River Canyon National Preserve offers many choices and opportunities to cool off in several swimming holes . Most of the trails are short

but steep and rocky as you make your way down to the river . As long as you keep your pup on a leash , they can also enjoy a cool off in the water . This area is also known as a great spot for bird watching . You can hike the YCC Loop - a 3 . 5 mile intermediate loop trail , the ½ mile Path to Learning Trail - an educational path detailing the ecology and geology of the area or the 16 mile De Soto Trail that connects the Little River Canyon National Preserve and DeSoto State Park . There are also miles of backcountry you can hike before visiting one of the watering holes .

The most popular swimming hole is the Hippie Hole off the Martha ' s Falls / Little Falls Trail . A rugged one mile trail from the parking lot takes visitors to Martha ' s Falls . The trail begins easy enough but becomes rooted . A

descent of 100 feet takes you down to the rocky slope and down to the water . This is the kind of place you can spend the day at . Cliff jumping is also popular here .

Another popular hike is from Eberhard Point to the floor of Little River Canyon . It ' s a steep descent down to the floor of the canyon , making this a difficult - rated hike . It is a short 0 . 8 out and back with 350 feet of elevation change ; it offers several places to cool off in the summer months . Cliff jumping is also popular at Eberhard Point . Be sure to keep an eye out for the Canyonland Park and Zoo ruins that was once located in the area . If the water levels are low enough , you can connect this with the Powell Trail for an additional 0 . 75 mile out and back with wildflowers that line the trail .

A little known swim area can be found on the Lower TwoMile Trail . It is about a ½ hour hike down to the river to reach the swimming hole . The ½ mile hike down is steep and rocky , but the payoff is fewer crowds ( if any ) . Many rocks are perfect for relaxing on , and a sand beach makes this an ideal cool - down spot . The climb out is steep as you climb back up with an elevation change of 164 feet over rocks that are often slippery .

Lost Lake Trail- Seward, AK

The hike to Lost Lake is a moderately rated 7 - mile trek with 2 , 600 plus feet of elevation change . It is a part of the longer Iditarod National Historic Trail . If the 14 - mile round trip distance seems a bit much , there are plenty of opportunities to camp near the lake . There is much to see and explore around the lake , including multiple glaciers and chasms . A filter and lots of water are recommended for the hike . Most hikers can complete the entire route in 6 - 7 hours .

The trail begins in a forest of trees at the base . The most elevation change happens as you make your way above the treeline . As you head along the trail , it will open up to views around the two - mile mark as you leave the forest for an open mountainside covered in flowers with abundant views . If the local wildlife hasn ' t snagged them yet , there are wild salmon berries , raspberries , and blueberries you can pick to snack on as you enjoy the views . The trail will level off at four miles as hemlock , and an often wet meadow awaits you . As you climb the ridgeline , you will be able to see your first views of the lake in the distance around the six - mile mark . As the trail heads down , you will join the Primrose Trail on the east

side of the lake .

Enjoy a night camping at the lake or enjoy the beautiful waters of the lake before making your way back to the trailhead . Be aware that the lake water is quite cold , so many hikers just settle for dipping their feet in . The noise from water pushing and pulling into various coves is quite relaxing . Many visitors also like to bring a few pebbles home from the lake to remember the hike by .

While you can make the trek to the lake year - round , MaySeptember is the recommended time frame to see wildlife ( bear and marmots especially ) , wildflowers , mushrooms , and the change of seasons . Be aware that the trail can be quite muddy based on recent weather . Snow may be on the trail into mid - June and you will likely encounter snowmobilers in the winter , while the summer months bring lots of mountain bikers . Your pup can even join you on the adventure as long as he / she is leashed .

Rim and Gorge Trail Hike Robert H Treman State ParkIthaca, NY

This hike has it all when it comes to waterfalls and will pass by 12 waterfalls total with a chance to even dive into the pool of the Lower Falls via a diving board . Leashed dogs can enjoy this loop but are not allowed in the swim area of Lower Falls . There is an entry fee for cars from April - November at this state park . There are bathrooms at the Old Mill , near the main entrance , and Lower Falls . Note that you may have to adhere to specific ascend and descend directions on the trails due to COVID - 19 restrictions .

There are two ways to complete this hike based on whether you want to climb in the beginning or climb at the end of the hike . Park in the upper parking lot if you don ' t mind a climb after your swim . Park at the main entrance to get the hard work over with first . If you park at the upper parking , visit the Enfield Falls Mill ( the Old Mill ) - an old grain mill on the National Register of Historic Places . There is also a waterfall behind the mill .

Begin this five - mile moderate hike from the upper entrance on the Gorge Trail . You will cross a stone bridge . Keep going past the sign for the Rim Trail . Go left and follow the path to a second stone bridge . You will now enter the gorge area - a prime place for Instagram photos because of the beauty . The trail will continue as you head through the gorge area and to a third stone bridge and then down a stone staircase to its first waterfall - 12 to 15 feet high .

Continue on the path and around a few corners until you reach the highlight of the park - the 115 foot Lucifer Falls . There is an excellent viewing area of this impressive waterfall off the stone stairs . The trail will be a mix of stone and dirt now as you continue along . You can cross the wooden bridge now to meet the Rim Trail for a shorter loop if need be , but we recommend you keep going .

If you continue , the trail enters the forest before it joins back near Enfield Creek . You will pass a series of smaller waterfalls , all unique in their own way . One last staircase takes you up to the Rim Trail . Follow the path through the gate to Lower Falls . Lower Falls is a 50 - foot waterfall with swim access , including a diving board .

After taking a swim and dive in Lower Falls , begin the ascent up the Rim Trail . The trail gains about 500 feet of elevation with little to no scenery . The trail will switch back and get steep as you make your way to an upper viewpoint of Lucifer Falls Shortly after the viewpoint you

Courtney Johnson is a book author , freelance writer and teacher based in Erie , CO . Most of her days are spent chasing her 7 year old daughter on the bike trails , ski runs and up climbing routes . You can follow her adventures at : https://adventureswithmylittleray.com/.

WILD WOMEN IN HIKING

Meet Sydney Williams, Founder of Hiking My Feelings

I LOVE Sydney.

She is an incredible human that dedicates her life to helping others.

Need someone to talk to about those things you don't feel comfortable talking to anyone else about? Sydney has your back and knows how to listen like no one else.

Need someone to cheer you on? Sydney will be there shaking her pom-poms.

Need someone to light your path? Sydney's light is bright enough for the both of you.

She is such a special soul and I am lucky I got to give her the chance to tell us about herself in the next few pages.

Jaime: Who is Sydney Williams? What sets your soul on fire?

Sydney: Sydney Williams is a human on a healing journey. In this life on this planet in this meatsuit, I've climbed the rungs of the ladders in Corporate America, published a book, jumped out of airplanes competitively, rowed on the Kansas River in uniform as a Jayhawk, survived multiple sexual assaults, married my best friend, hosted more than 200 events as a the founder of a non-profit called Hiking My Feelings and have helped thousands of people on their healing journey.

Hearing other people's stories and helping them connect the dots sets my soul on fire.

Jaime: How did HMF begin?

Sydney: Hiking My Feelings started as one of those blissful moments you see in movies, where the hero magically comes up with a great idea, as if a universal 2x4 just smacked them in

the face. For me, that happened at the top of Stonewall Peak outside of San Diego, California. I was a recently diagnosed diabetic who had just given up a sixfigure salary, cushy benefits, and the title I had always wanted (Chief Marketing Officer) to finally prioritize my health and happiness. I was training for my second attempt at the Trans-Catalina Trail when I was standing on

top of the mountain and realized that the sense of calm that consumed me in an otherwise chaotic time in my life could be attributed to how I had been managing my diabetes. Instead of eating and drinking my feelings in times of stress or sadness, I was hiking my feelings.

It started as a hashtag and a blog post in May 2018, and today it is the title of my first book, a movement, and a nonprofit on a mission to improve community health by introducing folks from all walks of life to the healing power of nature. Since we started the first Hiking My Feelings Tour in 2019, we've hosted more than 200 events around the US, helping folks connect the dots on how trauma manifests in our minds and bodies, and how the outdoors can help us heal.

Jaime: What has been the biggest challenge for you with starting a non profit organization? What kind of support do you need? Sydney: The biggest challenge I've had along this journey is believing in myself. From the outside looking in, this is probably surprising, as I'm incredibly confident when I'm in my zone of genius - writing, public speaking, leading this organization, facilitating our programs, hosting events, etc. But until recently, when I closed the laptop or returned to the van after an event, I would find myself anxious as all get out, evaluating everything I said, battling imposter syndrome, and questioning my ability and qualifications to lead this organization and facilitate this space.

The support that helped me

along the way was the support I finally had the courage to ask for. I stopped trying to do everything myself and slowly loosened my death grip on my to-do list and allowed Barry (my husband) to take the reins on our video content. I did everything myself for the first two years - I wrote all the programs, applied for grants, wrote and published the book, recorded the audiobook, developed our website, wrote everything for social media,

pitched brands for sponsorship, etc. If I failed, I wanted it to be my fault. I didn't even stop to consider that I could be successful, or that I could ask for the help I needed.

Day-to-day, I wouldn't be able to do what I do without Barry's support. More often than not, he's the one making breakfast and making sure I stay fed and hydrated during the day. He helps keep me on track and focused - I have a LOT of ideas and I have a tendency to try to do everything at once. Within Hiking My Feelings, he learned how to edit videos in 2019 and documents this journey for us, and he taught himself how to use Adobe Audition to finalize my audiobook when I ran into a dead-end with my skill set. He also plans our entire tour schedule, logistics, and picks the hikes for our group events.

keep this mission moving forward. We are finally starting to see the fruits of our labor for the past 2.5 years and are winning grants and partnering with incredible brands and organizations that are putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to helping us improve community health and increase awareness of and access to outdoor recreation.

Jaime: What is one piece of advice you’d give to yourself 10 years ago that would have helped you tremendously?

Sydney: Ten years ago I would have told myself that what I experienced in college was sexual assault and I would have encouraged myself to get the help I needed. I didn't tell anyone about my assault for more than 11 years, I swore I'd take that secret to the grave. And I almost did, multiple times. The fact that I survived the assault itself is one thing, but to make it through the aftermath, carrying the weight of that trauma by myself for more than a decade, it's a miracle I'm still here to do this work. Once I shared my story with Barry, it was like the floodgates opened and I couldn't contain the story anymore. It took on a life of its own and I committed to a

lifetime of sharing that story with anyone who would listen, as it was hearing other survivor's stories that helped me find the language to articulate what happened to me and finally begin my healing journey.

Jaime: What is your all time favorite trail?

Sydney: My all-time favorite trail is the Dawson-Pitamakan Loop in Glacier National Park. It starts and ends at Two Medicine Lake campground and is one of the most stunning hikes I've ever had the privilege of enjoyingsweeping views, tons of wildlife, and the perfect mix of uphill and downhill - just challenging enough to get your heart pumping but not enough to make you hate life. Second favorite would be backpacking the Grand

Canyon of the Tuolumne in Yosemite National Parkcamping near Waterwheel Falls was a holy experience.

Jaime: What is the single most important thing a person can do for themself to become the best version of themselves?

Sydney: Take responsibility for your healing journey. What happened to you so far and what has happened to your ancestors wasn't your fault, but your healing is your responsibility. If you're the first one in your family to break the cycle of generational trauma, it will be the hardest work you ever do, but on the other side of all the pain, questioning, confusion, and boundarysetting is the happiest, healthiest life you could possibly imagine. Pro-tip: Healing isn't a destination to reach - it's a lifelong journey.

You aren't broken, lazy, or doing it wrong when you can't heal yourself overnight. Reading a book, taking a course, working with a therapist - none of those things will magically "fix" you. You have to consistently show up for yourself, do the work to unlearn the lies you've internalized as truth, and start to blaze your own trail to selflove. We're all broken, none of us need to be "fixed" - we just need more tools in our toolbox to be able to grow into the best versions of ourselves.

Jaime: How does hiking heal?

Sydney: When I say hiking helped me heal my mind and body, I want to be super clear on what I mean by that and how it happened. When I'm hiking, I'm not listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or music. It's just me, the voices

in my head, and the sounds of the world around me. If we never allow ourselves to disconnect from the distractions, we'll never be able to reconnect with ourselves.

Hiking with no distractions empowers me to hear my inner voice and my inner critic.

If you've ever heard the phrase "you've got issues in your tissues" or "trauma is stored in your hips" - it's true. A great book that explains this is The

Body Keeps the Score. For me, intense physical activitydifficult hikes and backpacking trips - allows me to hear my inner voice and access the memories and experiences I've worked really hard to numb and suppress. When you're on the trail, anything goesMother Nature can handle your pain, your joy, and anything in between. Don't be afraid of the release that is possible when out in nature.

On the physical side of things, I hike as much as I can to manage my diabetes. The CDC recommends 30 minutes of movement 5 days per week to prevent and manage diabetes and by now we all understand the physical benefits of of taking a walk in the woods. But the healing power of nature is rooted in the mental, physical, and spiritual benefits that are available when you go for a hike. You're moving your body, you're disconnected from the distractions of a technology-driven life, and you can find connection with the world around you.

body. Hiking My Feelings = Hiking It Off. Whether I'm working through a difficult encounter with someone in my life, or just blowing off steam, hiking can serve as a great way to move that energy through my body so it doesn't get stuck and take root in the form of mental or physical dis-ease.

Jaime: What does the future look like for HMF?

Jaime: What does “hike it off” mean to you?

Sydney: I "hike it off" all the time! When I get frustrated with myself or other humans, I go for a good stomp up a hill to get the energy out of my

Sydney: This year, we've kicked off our community health initiative - Take a Hike, Diabetes. We're on a mission to hike one million miles for diabetes awareness with the help of our community, and we are excited about what the future holds as we move toward this goal.

When we toured the US in 2019, we heard that a lot of

folks don't feel safe or represented in outdoor spaces. When we were doing research for the #TakeAHikeDiabetes campaign, we noticed that those folks come from the communities with the highest prevalence of diabetes. In our mind, if we can increase awareness and accessibility to outdoor recreation, then community health will improve. So this year, we are connecting the dots on diabetes in a few ways:

1. Encouraging people to get outside. Our Virtual Activity Challenge, hosted on the Kilter app, incentivizes folks to get outside and track their hikes, walks, runs, and rolling workouts for diabetes awareness. With the help of our partners and sponsors, we have some epic prizes

available to encourage you to keep exploring the world around you. Folks register like they would for a marathon, pick or start a team, and sync the Kilter app with a fitness tracker (Strava, Garmin, MapMyRun, Apple Health and Google Fit are currently supported), and they can win epic prizes just for taking a hike (or run, walk, roll). We're stoked to partner with Salomon to offer a free pair of X Ultra 4 GTX shoes each month, UST Gear has donated a tent every month, and Gossamer Gear has donated two backpacks every month as well - with more partners signing up each month and offering even more prizes.

2. The #TakeAHikeDiabetes Tour. This summer we're showcasing urban hiking trails to demonstrate that you don't have to travel far to experience

the healing power of nature, you can find these adventures in the cities and towns where you work, live, and play. We kick off the tour in Chicago on June 1 in partnership with the Outerbelt Alliance. The Chicago Outerbelt is a 220mile trail around the city and most of it is accessible via public transportation. We're hiking from Lake Michigan to Detroit (270+ miles) in July in partnership with the Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance, and we wrap the tour in partnership with the Capital Trails Coalition in Washington, D.C. in September. Along the way, we will be hosting activities and meetups at campsites, parks, and on the trail to invite local difference makers, community leaders, brands and organizations to join us. We will be interviewing folks who are helping make the outdoors more inclusive, as

well as the folks who are supporting the local diabetes community. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us virtually or on the trail within any local guidelines for COVID19 and group gatherings in each area that we're passing through. Jaime: Anything else you’d like to share? Sydney: One of the things I'm most interested in exploring on the road this year is the relationship between trauma and diabetes. When we look at my personal experience managing type 2 diabetes, this is absolutely true. When I didn't get help after I was sexually assaulted in college, I developed unhealthy coping mechanisms to help numb the pain and avoid flashbacks. I would eat Ben & Jerry's for breakfast and drink a bottle of

wine to myself every night more often than not. After more than a decade of those behaviors, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I mean, take a look at the prevalence of diabetes by racial group:

14.7% of Native Americans/Alaskan Natives

12.5% of Hispanics

11.7% of non-Hispanic Blacks

9.2% of Asian Americans

7.5% of non-Hispanic whites

If you look at these groups and think about issues like poverty, access to healthcare, education, food deserts (and food swamps), the pay gaps in America, and the historical trauma experienced by these communities - colonization, racism, slavery, oppression, systemic issues - trauma may have a significant relationship

with diabetes diagnosis and management.

When it comes to the opportunities that come our way, we always ask ourselves two questions:

1. Does this feel good?

2. Will this make the world a better place for everyone, not just for some of us?

If the answer to both is yes, then we move forward with enthusiasm and gratitude, and I would encourage folks to take stock of their life right now and upcoming decisions and look at life through that lens, even if only for a day.

For more information about Hiking My Feelings and to follow visit

www.hikingmyfeelings.org

HOW TO DEEPEN YOUR ECOLOGY; THE QUIETING HIKE

by Daniel Shkolnik

If you set out on a hike today, at first glance, all might seem well. The rivers may run white and blue, and bars of the sun may kiss the rocks along your path. But by the time you return at day’s end, two to six species will have been wiped off the face of the Earth. According to philosopher and environmentalist Arne Næss, unless we fundamentally change our relationship to the natural world, every hike we take will be more silent than the last.

Arne Næss didn’t do philosophy for the sake of philosophy but for the sake of action. In 1970, he chained himself to rocks with other environmentalists to prevent the damming of the Mardalsfossen waterfall in his native Norway. He was an avid mountaineer and led the first expedition up Tirich Mir in the Hindu Kush range of Pakistan. He often climbed into the jagged fjords of his homeland to the mountain cabin he built by hand in 1937. In that cabin, sitting just beneath the sky, Næss wrote most of his books and developed his blend of ecology and philosophy called “ecosophy T,” of which the most well-known concept became deep ecology.

Næss saw “shallow” ecology as a “fight against pollution and resource depletion.” The central objective of shallow ecology, thought Næss, was “the health and affluence of people in the developed countries.” The “deep movement” by contrast sought a society-wide transformation of those developed countries; it was a departure from the utilitarian pragmatism of western businesses and governments, which, Næss believed, was what had brought about the current environmental crisis.

It’s hard not to draw parallels between Næss and Thoreau. Both wrote philosophy in cabins, both were avid hikers, and most importantly, both had a profound spiritual connection to nature. By this, I don’t mean a supernatural spirituality, but a naturalistic one emphasis on the natural.

Upon his passing in 2009, Mary Evelyn Tucker, co-founder, and codirector of the Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale, said of Næss:

“His philosophical perception did not end with ideas in the mind but extended to the living quality of nature itself. His skin met the skin of trees, plants, flowers, water, and most of all mountains. … he challenged all of us to ‘think like a mountain.’ If this alone did not break us open from arm chair philosophizing probably nothing would.”

Næss was not religious in the traditional sense; rather, he aimed his reverence at the vast waves of rock he loved to climb, at the rumbling chants of the inner Earth, and at the green miracles that erupt along its rim each spring. According to Næss, if your ecology is to be deep, it is not enough to put batteries in your engine, solar panels over your shingles, and biodegradable cartons in your fridge door. At its core, deep ecology calls for a fundamental change in how we understand the very nature of nature; it calls us to embrace the entire planetary ecosystem.

OK. Thats beautiful and all, but what does that actually look like?

Wade Davis, a Canadian anthropologist, and ethnobotanist may help make sense of what Næss meant. In his 2003 TED Talk, Davis spoke about the cultural worldviews of indigenous people and how their understanding of the natural world differs from the Western standard.

“I was raised in the forests of British Columbia to believe those forests existed to be cut. That made me a different human being than my friends amongst the Kwagiulth who believe that those forests were the abode of … the Crooked Beak of Heaven and the cannibal spirits that dwelled at the north end of the world … ”

Davis says the same about a mountain: is it a pile of ore to mine? Or an Apu spirit of the Andes that will direct your destiny? His point isn’t that we should return to believing in spirits or that CEOs and policymakers go “journey beyond the Milky Way” like the jaguar shamans of the Yuruparí. Instead, his point is that our worldview guides how

we relate to and treat the natural world.

The dominant modern culture is but one adaptive variant of untold millions it is not necessarily final, true, nor best for life on Earth (or for us). Humanity expanded across the globe by adapting its cultures, not its genes. That same knack for cultural adaptation ushered in new tools, tech, societies, and thus, our present planetary crisis. The way forward it seems, must include a shift in collective culture, one where we come to understand the burning Amazon, the darkening oceans, and the crumbling bee hives as inextricably linked to our collective destiny.

Despite its parallels to the spiritual zeitgeist, Næss’s thought is not New Age. Most of his ecological recommendations involved complex policy, economic, and technological changes. Deep ecology calls for reducing populations, environmentally sustainable technologies, and non-interference in the natural world, among other calls to action. However, these bold changes might be too aggressive for many to accept without an accompanying cultural change. Who would turn in their cellphone and refuse to fly in airplanes? Who would forsake the bullish growth of their stock portfolio? Who dares take up the dark art of population control?

So far, the answer has been clear: not us. Or at least, not most of us. Næss and Davis both point to that if we only look at the natural world through the lens of utilitarian game theory instead of universal reverence, we may be emotionally and societal unable to make the changes necessary to swerve our planet from catastrophe. Game theory alone may lose us the game.

Næss had no illusions. The cultural, political, and infrastructural shifts needed to implement his vision of deep ecology are monumental and slow-going. In the New York Times, his obituary said of Næss that he was pessimistic about the 21st century but optimistic about

the 23rd. By then, he suspected the turbulent growth spurt of our civilization’s adolescence would be over, and our species would enter a hard-won maturity. Of course, what happens two centuries from now is anyone’s guess. But when our grandchildren’s grandchildren set out from their doors to hike the shoulders of mountains and descend the sloping hips of the Earth, they’ll undoubtedly look out on a different world. What world they see and how they see it depends on us.

Daniel Lev Shkolnik writes about alternative and emerging forms of spirituality and meaning-making. He's written for Vice, Patheos, Ozy, and is a regular contributor to Ink CT. He hosts the Re-Enchantment podcast and is a member of the Open Div project.

SETTING SUMMER HIKING GOALS

by Christine Reed

Setting #Goals for 2021 Hiking

At the beginning of a new year or a new season we tend to look ahead and look back. We want to set goals and reflect

on our successes. In hindsight, it seems as if nothing went as planned in 2020. Whether that meant you stayed off trail completely or adjusted your hiking to accommodate the

Christine offers expert advice on goal seeting for your summer!

"We want to set goals and reflect on our successes."

rules and regs of a COVID era, most of us have got some making up to do. It can feel pointless trying to make plans right now while we all still hang in limbo, wondering what our access to travel and trails will be this summer. Maybe the heartbreak of canceled trips and crossed-out dates on the calendar has left you feeling uneasy about setting yourself up for another round of disappointments. But if a full year of the pandemic has taught me anything, it's that getting outside cures all that ails. And that a change of plans is better than no plan at all.

In March 2020, I was sitting on a beach in Key West, eating a chocolate-covered key lime pie on a stick and solidifying my winter tan. I was working from a friend's apartment and marveling at how fortunate I was to have landed a remote gig in the travel industry, no

I was snowed into my partner's bedroom in Denver, unemployed, and wondering if we were going to run out of food before the grocery stores restocked rice and beans.

less! I'd been living full time on the road for almost two years, trying to manifest a way to keep it going, and it had finally come together. Two weeks later, I was snowed into my partner's bedroom in Denver, unemployed, and wondering if we were going to run out of food before the grocery stores restocked rice and beans.

POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor

Throughout April, I barely got out of bed. I devoured every book I could lay my hands on and was eternally grateful that my partner had a secure job. I glared out the window every time it snowed, lamenting I had to leave the beach and return to Denver. As the lockdown went from a temporary precautionary exercise to a new way of being, I realized I couldn’t stay

cooped up in the city any longer. The information became more apparent that the safest place to be is outside, so another vandwelling friend and I hatched a plan and headed to Wyoming one of the country's least populated states. A summer full of climbing and backpacking later, I was renewed and refreshed, ready to return to my home base in Denver. As another summer fast

approaches, I don't want to waste any good weather days wallowing in bed, so I'm planning this time. And you can too!

There's no wrong way to go about setting hiking goals for 2021. Whether you're vaccinated and comfortable and decide to hit the road, or you want to hang around your backyard a little longer, here are some ideas to get you thinking.

POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor

Hike by Number

Miles: Choose several miles to hike – per week, month, or the whole season.

# of Hikes: It may be a little late to join the 52 Hike Challenge if you're trying to finish by the end of the year, (or not if you're ready to crank out some double hike weeks), but you can choose several hikes to complete for the summer hiking season.

Elevation Gain: A fun way to up the challenge of your season and make significant ascents a part of your summer.

Hike by Trail

Greatest Hits List: Check out some listicles (or previous issues of Hike It Off) for "best hikes" in your local area and work your way through them.

POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor

Segments: If you're fortunate enough to have access to a long trail, but a thru-hike isn't in the cards, section hiking is the perfect way to piece together the journey.

Peakbagging: Depending on where you live, there may be a quintessential tick list all made up for you; some classics include Colorado 14ers, The Six Pack of Peaks, and New England 4000ers.

Water Features: Spend the season on a scouting mission for water-- waterfalls, swimming holes, rivers, hot springs, oh my!

Volunteer

Give Back: Find out who manages your local trail systems and how you can help. Opportunities abound to donate your time or money to help maintain the paths that make your summer worth hiking.

Hike by Trail

Now is the perfect time to do some research about your local area, set goals, and get psyched. Make your to-do list, pick up a guide book, invite your best hiking buddies, reserve campsites, and file for permits. Buy new tubes of sunscreen and bug spray and dump last year's trail mix crumbs out of the top pocket of your day pack.

Tag #hikeitoff and @hikeitoffofficial with your summer plans so we can get psyched with you!

This year, I have four main objectives:

#1: Hike Ten 14ers

This will double the number of 14ers I've hiked in my six-year hiking career. I've chosen most of the San Juan range peaks because I will have the flexibility this season to make the drive from Denver and take extended multi-day trips. While researching options, I found that Eolus, North Eolus, Windom, and Sunlight are all accessible from the same approach. They will make an excellent 4-day backpacking trip in which I promptly got my partner and best friend psyched on and will likely be a highlight of our summer.

POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor

#2:

Thru-hike the CO Trail

This will be my second longest hike of ALL TIME. Since my long section hike on the Appalachian Trail in 2015, I haven't hiked more than 100 miles in a trip. The Colorado Trail clocks in at 486 miles, and I'm eagerly planning for six weeks of exploring the state I now call home. Several 14ers are also accessible from the CO Trail, and we plan to check out at least a couple along the way.

Hike by Trail

It's a 16.5-mile point-to-point that summits the chain of 5 peaks visible from Boulder. A well-known training ground and test piece for many trail runners, I attempted it twice in 2020. In April, I got turned around due to hip-deep snow. Then I got turned around again in August because of the smoke from nearby fires. This year, I'll be keeping a close watch on conditions to

have a successful hike.

#4 Volunteer with the Colorado Trail Foundation and Colorado 14ers

I want to give back to the trails and organizations that will achieve my goals possible this year. I have already registered for a trail work project with the Colorado Trail Foundation and put my name in to help Colorado 14ers Initiative throughout the season.

Hike by Trail

Christine Reed is an avid amateur outdoors woman. Her upbringing as a military brat taught her to see everywhere and nowhere as home. She didn't start hiking until after college, when she realized she wasn't sure where her life was headed and sought out a defined path on the Appalachian Trail. Her backpacking memoir, Alone in Wonderland is a story about backpacking the Wonderland Trail around Mt Rainier. But it's also a story about defining who we are in the world and challenging ideas about who we should be.

Check out Alone in Wonderland

Follow her on Instagram

F O R T H E L O V E O F L I F E ;

R E A S O N S T O H I T T H E T R A I L

BY MONET YELSNICK

There is something special about summer. The air smells sweet from fruit, and new creatures are abundant in the skies and on the ground; the buzz of life vibrates intensely like clockwork as the heat rises and the sun shines longer in the skies. Summer is part of a cycle of life that goes on despite what's happening in our personal lives or our collective lives. Despite what bad news we have read or watched, despite what we are feeling. It is dependable; it is a steady heartbeat to guide us back into the real world when we need to be reminded the planet is much bigger than ourselves.

It can be easy to take the cycles and magnificence of this beautiful planet for granted, to take the cycles and magnificence in our own lives for granted as well. After a year of lockdowns and quarantines, I think it's safe to say we have all come to realize how much we took for granted. The freedom to commune with each other, get into the parks and national forests whenever we deign, the meaning that our

lives had from our jobs, celebrations, time with people we loved. The holidays and events we used to mark the passing of time. To have spent a year with these moments interrupted has made the need for them even stronger and the reasons to count our blessings even clearer. This summer is the perfect opportunity to give thanks in the most real way we can, by enjoying all this world has to offer and savoring the part of the natural cycle that embodies regeneration, birth, energy, and joy. Summer is coming!

To be able to hop on a trail and listen to what is going on around us, breathe in deep and smell the dirt, the trees, the gravel, feel the heat of the sun or the chill that comes over us when a cloud passes by, this is freedom. The joy of passing a stranger and exchanging a smile even if it's hidden under a mask, to feel a connection, if only in passing, this is joy. These are magnificent moments that, once so abundant as to seem unremarkable, have become joyous bursts of light amidst a dark winter and a hard time for many of us. The sheer feeling of freedom as you stand on a mountain or an empty field, jump in the pool of a waterfall. These moments lie at the end of countless trails. I propose that hiking offers a unique way to actively commune with nature and let ourselves be affected by it. When you are on a trail, you are engaged with the landphysically walking over its ridges and hills, maybe slipping on mossy rocks, climbing over fallen trees. You are hearing the squirrels and birds who live where you roam, feeling how the breeze moves through the particularly placed trees.

This mindfulness practice on the trail can have massive impacts on our daily lives if we let it. It is encouraging us to bring mindfulness to our regular schedules. It also gives us ample opportunity to meditate on what it is that makes our lives so meaningful: Are we with someone we love? Do we have a great friend who supports our every endeavor? One who lets us know when we are wrong so we can grow? Know where our next meal is coming from? Are we strong enough to be hiking in the first place? Giving thanks in our hearts and with our bodies can help us remember how good we have it, how charmed our lives are and that alone is worth celebrating. Though most formal holidays occur in the winter, summer is one of the best times to get outside with friends to celebrate the wheel of life we are on. There is so much wonder right outside of our front doors if we will remember no

Monet Yelsnick is a musician and outdoor enthusiast in Seattle, WA

"In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful."

–Alice Walker

I live in Colorado. It’ s not an exaggeration to say that we love combining some physical activity with our fun. If we ’ re going to a brewery, maybe we ’ll ride our bikes over. All-day hikes are not uncommon, and the question “What did you do this weekend?” more often than not ends up being a conversation about how we enjoyed the outdoors. The mountains, quite honestly, are my playground.

MISSED THE QUIET INTROSPECTION."

from my house.

Nothing could have prepared me for how COVID would affect how I lived my life. Currently, I’ m single, and last March, on my mother’ s birthday, I began what would begin a three-month lockdown in my city. Fortunately for me, I lived near a large park and was able to walk around it in endless circles because we were discouraged from recreating further than 10 miles from home. The mountains were 40 miles

I missed the quiet introspection that would happen as I explored the mountains and the camaraderie of backcountry explorations asking if I was close to the finish of a longer than expected hike. In the beginning, I naively thought that maybe it wouldn’t last that long. But, soon, it became clear that COVID was here to stay, and my ability to enjoy nature changed.

At the end of June, I had the good fortune to go on a threeday backpacking trip on the Beaver Creek Loop. During that trip, I began to notice that I wasn ’t as fit as I used to be. In fact, I was consistently the last person on the trail. Even though I had an incredible time during that trip, I was keenly aware that

"I

my fitness level had taken a hit

Emotional Eating Took a Toll

There was so little that I could do that I turned to the one activity that wouldn’t let me down-cooking. I love cooking and eating. I love buying food, watching cooking shows, and cooking for myself and others. If there was an activity that I exiled in during 2020, it was emotional eating. Unfortunately, this new habit has become a huge issue as we make our way into summer. I'm

girl summer; just a fit girl summer would be nice. I found myself canceling ski trips because I was so out of shape and couldn’t even fit into my clothing.

The 13-Mile Hike from Hell

During the fall of 2020, I signed up for a day hike. This one was the Bridal Veil Falls trail, an almost thirteen-mile trek through Rocky Mountain National Park. I was so excited about this event and geared up. It was a beautiful fall day; the group I went with was

incredible, and soon, I was humbled by this trail. The thing is, I was at least 15-20 years younger than the majority of the people attending this event. They left me in their dust.

In fact, I was so out of shape that I ended up being the last person to arrive at the parking lot an hour after everyone had left. Fortunately for me, my friend who led the event waited for me, but that was because she and her husband were also my car ride back home. It was during that moment when I decided to stop hiking and regroup over the winter season.

How I ’ m Getting Back Into Hiking Shape

mountains one step at a time. I’ll admit that I feel a sense of guilt that I didn’t care for my body as well as I could have while trying to protect my life. In reflecting on this year, the emotional toll of not enjoying nature in the way that I used to has worn me down. It’ s also clear that I need to give myself some grace during what has been a truly stressful time.

One of the best things about hiking is its simplicity. I can pull on a pair of leggings (they stretch) and begin exploring the

I realize now that all of the hikes that I did before COVID helped my body stay healthy and well in the past year. Yes, I’ m indeed a little soft around the edges, but hiking is a forgiving activity. And now that we ’ re out of Girl Scout Cookie season and heading into farmer’ s market season, I feel like my emotional eating has already begun to taper off. Here are some of the actions that I’ ve prioritized so that I can get back into hiking shape:

Don’t Tie Hiking to Weight Loss: Removing that pressure helps me enjoy exploring nature as the primary goal of each hike.

Create a Top 10 Hikes List: There are an endless number of trails in Colorado, and I’m looking to explore new parts of the state based on this list.

Explore Denver on Foot: Sadly, many businesses closed during COVID, but several new businesses have begun to open up. Walking around Denver has always been an enjoyable activity for me, and now I’m excited to see what is new around town.

Incorporate Other Workouts: I’ve recently subscribed to Steezy, a dance-based platform, and the Peloton app.

I hadn’t realized how active I was until I couldn’t be through no fault of my own.

Give Myself Grace

I can ’t believe that I have lived through a pandemic. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect for something like this to happen. None of us did. Because of this unbelievable situation, now I truly understand how vital

hiking is to my mental wellbeing. I’ll never take it for granted again. I might move a little slower than a year ago. But, that’ s ok. The mountains are calling and I must go.

Michelle Jackson runs the website and podcast Square State, where she gets to unapologetically geek out about her state of Colorado. When she's not having random conversations with new people, she can be found hiking, biking, sitting on a patio, or exploring the mountains. Her ultimate goal is to normalize POC faces in outdoor spaces and stop surprising people when she says she's from Colorado.

by James Gibson

(This section of Just a Long Walk is an excerpt of the author’s first day on the trail. “Rosie” is his backpack, Anne & Dan are old friends who took the author to the Yosemite trailhead.)

Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life- John Muir

In Judaism, the number 18 is symbolic of LIFE! It is significant and symbolic that you are embarking on your trek on the 18th as your life takes new meaning, one step at a time, one thought at a time .... with many friends patting you on the back via cyberspace the entire time!

- email from a lifelong friend and a chosen brother on the eve of my journey.

I awake with a start, and then smile with excitement, bounding from my bed like a young child on Christmas morning who cannot wait to see what awaits under the tree, for this is the day when I will finally begin my JMT adventure. My gifts will be the trees, the rocks, the streams, the vistas, the solitude and most importantly, the time alone for learning and reflection. I somehow sense that my life is beginning a new chapter today and it fills me with a mixture of excitement, anticipation and trepidation, because I also feel that what I am about to experience over the coming miles and days will change me deeply and impact me for the rest of my life. Strong stuff for so early in the morning. But back to the task at hand, packing my backpack for the final time before I step off into

the woods. I look at this array of equipment and food spread out on the floor in front of me, plus some other items, such as a tent, sleeping bag, mini backpacker stove with fuel canisters and various electronics I will carry with me, including a small solar panel that will rest on top of my pack to keep things charged, and I wonder how it will all fit. And it all has to fit, and I have to carry all of it, all the way. But I know that it will fit, I have been working out the details for months, but now it is real, I am finally packing it all in for the last time, knowing that something forgotten is something I will simply have to do without until I reach a resupply point.

The John Muir Trail is the longest trail in the country that can be almost completely traversed without crossing a single road, the exception

being a brief crossing and recrossing at Tuolumne Meadows, which is a real plus if you want to elude civilization, but it also presents a serious logistical challenge. There are a handful of places along the trail where you can exit and pick up supplies, but they are few. With names like Red's Meadow, Vermillion Valley Resort (definitely not five star) and Muir Trail Ranch they are well known to backpackers as a place to get a special meal, which means something, anything, not freeze dried or boiled, plus a cold beer, perhaps a shower, and a place to pitch your tent for some relaxation before tackling the trail again. The only way to complete the full extent of the JMT is to put together packages of food and supplies and mail them to yourself to be picked up at one of these remote locations. And of course, there is a fee for having your supplies brought in

by pickup or pack mule - people have always found a way to make money off adventurers, why should this be any different? After all, who most commonly became wealthy during the California Gold Rush? The folks who mined the gold? No, it was the merchant who sold the picks and shovels. I love REI, have been a member for over forty years, but it has grown to monstrous proportions promoting the mystique of adventure and then feeding the addiction.

I pick up my list and begin the process, packing items, checking them off, and the pile begins to shrink until it is all gone, safely stowed and ready to go. I heft Rosie and sigh, why does it feel so heavy? Can I really do this? The doubts rise up in my head and I push them back, it is way past time for that, I am committed.

Anne and Dan are waiting outside, they are long since packed and will be returning home to Los Angeles after they drop me at Tenaya Lake Trailhead. They are perfect friends, they understand in an unspoken way what I am going through and wait patiently while I go through my ritual, tamp down my doubts. I could not have been blessed with better Trail Angels, those people who help folks attempting a long trek with all the logistical details that are vital and naggingly difficult. Trail Angels are an integral part of backpacking lore and legend, some devoting countless hours to help mostly strangers complete the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail and yes, even The John Muir Trail.

Sometimes they provide caches of water in places where there is no water on the Pacific Crest Trail, other times a ride to a town or a trailhead, or perhaps

a home cooked meal, a shower and a soft bed in the middle of the Appalachian Trail. They are the enablers to those of us who are addicted to going into the woods, the unsung heroes of any long trek. Anne and Dan are my angels, driving hundreds of miles to help me, and I feel fortunate and a bit guilty as I place Rosie carefully into the back of their vehicle. How do you thank someone who helps make a dream come true? Words are somehow inadequate. Back in the car, in the back seat, I watch the woods drift by the window as I am lost in thought and emotion. Anne and Dan seem to sense and respect my need for space and mental preparation, conversation is sparse. The drive to Tenaya Lake is almost two hours, but it seems to be over before it begins as we pull into the small parking lot. After some stretching to loosen up my legs

I turn to Anne and Dan and say that I would like to offer a prayer, a blessing. We stand behind their car, Rosie waiting to be hefted on my back, grasp each other's hands and I recite a few words of thanks to Anne and Dan for delivering me, to Him for allowing me the opportunity to be here on the cusp of starting down the trail, then I add a prayer for strength and safety in the coming days. Now it is time. I lift Rosie, adjust her and after the obligatory picture I hug my friends, my earthly angels, say goodbye and turn towards the trail which is leading to a short bridge over a small creek and then winds away up the mountain and through the trees. A simple and unprepossessing beginning to a task so large. Alone on the trail at last, I stretch my legs and begin to become accustomed to the weight on my back, the feel of

my boots as they trod the uneven ground of the trail, strewn with rocks and split by the roots of trees. Dodge and weave, up the trail, eyes looking ahead, then down, making sure not to trip or catch my boot and fall. Finding that rhythm that is so important if you are going to do this for hours on end. My senses heighten as I listen to the riffle of the flowing creek to my right, hear the wind in the trees all around me, tune in to the birds chirping above me in the branches.

The trail rises, then tops out and I look down in front of me and there, just a few feet in front of me, is a lone deer astride the trail. I stop and we stare at each other, just a few feet apart, eye to eye, neither of us moving. Time seems to stand still, all is suddenly quiet as I tune out the sounds of the woods. Expecting her to immediately bolt and run into the woods I am taken aback by her calmness and unwavering gaze. Neither of us

move, it is like we have been turned into statues, anchored to the ground, waiting for the other to make the first move. I have come upon countless deer on many trails, but I have never had an encounter like this, for she simply stares and waits, until I finally relax, smile and say out loud, "thank you for welcoming me to your home, I needed this." Her mission accomplished, she slowly walks to my right, crosses the creek

and then turns and looks at me as if to say, "welcome to the woods, Godspeed on your journey." I feel initiated, baptized, and blessed more than any formal church ritual could bestow. One of His creatures has been tasked with welcoming me, and I know then that I have passed through the doorway into my new life, all will be well. I have come home.

James Gibson began hiking at an early age when living in Hawaii and California, then went east to college where he began backpacking. Introduced to backpacking in the Sierra Nevada in his early 20’s, it is still his “go to” place, even after thousands of miles on trails the world over. Today almost all of his hiking and backpacking is done solo, but during almost fifteen years as a High Adventure Leader he led many treks and worked with countless scouts and wonderful adults, including a memorable trek to Philmont in New Mexico. After thirty-one years of marriage he made a clean break and “blew up his life,” which led to a solo journey down the John Muir Trail, a classic “return to nature” effort to put himself back together, physically and spiritually. He had planned on completing this iconic trail in one trek, but forest fires, injuries and record snow forced him to do it in segments, ending on Mt. Whitney summit August 16, 2019.

His current project, to be completed in early 2021, is a memoir of his life changing journey to and down the John Muir Trail - visit JustALongWalk.com for excerpts, photographs of his treks around the world and inspiring quotes for those of us who love the mountains.

© James McGregor Gibson

LETTERS TO THE

Lollygagger

GOT

A BURNING QUESTION

ABOUT

HIKING THAT YOU JUST CAN’T SEEM TO FIND THE ANSWER TO? ASK OUR VERY OWN CHIEF LOLLYGAGGER!

Dear Chief Lollygagger, It is already hot in my neck of the woods...er, desert. What can I do to stay cool when the temps soar?

Sincerely, Sweating in Temecula

Dear Sweating in Temecula, Let me start by saying there is a limit to what is safely doable. I personally hit my not having fun mark way before doable. The only thing that will get me to go past that mark is a swim at the end and a source of water to soak my shirt in on the way. Basically, my science says keep the direct sunlight off of your skin. When it's sunny and hot I’ll wear a lifeguard hat or a ball cap with a hooded sun shirt. Loose fitting and vented shirts are my go-to. As far as the lower half I always wear shorts because my legs seem to feel hotter in pants. But I see the real hot weather pros wearing pants most of the time. For feet, I go with non waterproof vented low top shoes with ankle socks I like thin socks that have air channels sewn into them. If possible, hike at higher elevations where the temperature will be lower. Always check the

hourly forecast, start early (even before sunrise if needed), and plan on returning before the temperatures are too high.

And I’ll guess I will end with the obvious. Hydration, Hydration, Hydration.

WHAT DOES HIKE IT OFF MEAN TO YOU?

We asked some of our followers what Hike It Off means to them. This is what they had to say.

Hike It Off is a mental thing for me 100%. I fell hiking in the LA National Forest and broke my hip but I couldn’t let that get me down because hiking just makes me better every time no matter what I’m going through! I battled through to walk again and now I’m back on the trails and no matter what I make sure I hike twice a week to keep me going!

Kate @hikewithkate

I love both of this picture. It is from my first hike in two years after a torn meniscus and a herniated disc. There is nothing more that I’ve wanted to do since I got injured than to start hiking. It was a very difficult time mentally to be injured during 2020, but the thought of getting out there and Hiking It Off was always my motivation and now I can’t wait to continue getting outdoors for the rest of my life.

“Hike It Off” helps me persevere and endure Jesus @jesus gsr95

Summer 2021 Issue Seven

CEO & Chief Editor- Jaime Purinton

Chief Lollygagger & Director of Vibe- Tony Purinton

Writers:

Duke Brady

Jessica Mehta

Christine Reed

Courtney Johnson

Monet Yelsnick

Daniel Shkolnik

James Gibson