Hiking 101

If you’re feeling that tug to get outside and try hiking, join this short seminar to learn the basics and build your confidence. It's open to all ages!

This is a leisurely activity - less than 2 miles with little or no elevation gain; shade and seating may be available. 

Sarah is a grassroots educator, artist, and chef who values an exploratory, hands-on approach to perceiving and interacting with the world around us. Sarah moved to the high desert in 2016, and her natural curiosity about the environment sparked several projects that brought people together to explore our relationship to the land through botany, food, and hiking.

Hiking is one of the most rewarding and fuss-free ways to experience the outdoors. Still, it can be intimidating to start, as there aren’t a lot of amenities once you get on the trail, and the media can be narrow-minded in how hikers are portrayed. If you’re feeling that tug to get outside and try hiking but feeling uneasy, join this short seminar to learn the basics and build your confidence. You’ll know what to pack in your bag, how to dress (and no, it doesn’t have to be the latest high-tech-ultra-light-weight UV shirt), and how to begin interpreting maps and choosing trails. We’ll give you the tools to prepare and stay safe on the trail! After an hour in the classroom, participants will hike the 1.4-mile Hi-View trail together. An adult must accompany youth participants. 

Participants must bring All required items for the course: Snacks, 2-3 liters of water, closed-toed hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and a backpack to carry your items for the field portion!

Photo credit: Desert Institute Volunteer