TotalFit Solutions®

Hiking

What is Hiking?

Hiking is merely walking on a foot path, whether on a neighborhood trail that runs along the river or a more adventurous trail to a mountain ridge. Hiking can be a great way to escape the monotony of the gym and get a heart-pumping workout.

Benefits of Hiking

There are many benefits of hiking. The most common benefits are:

• Weight loss.

• Decrease in blood pressure.

• Helps prevent osteoporosis by improving bone density.

• Relieves back pain.

• It doesn't cost much.

All of our hikes are led by experienced and knowledgeable staff. Please wear comfortable shoes, socks, liners and bring water and a few treats for the trails. We encourage you to wear layers as the temperature and weather varies on all hikes.

Hikes begin promptly at 8 am (unless otherwise stated)~ please plan accordingly. We send out an email every Friday with directions, start time, and additional information pertaining to the hike. Contact us if you want to be added to the hiking list and wish to receive information.

2009 Hiking Schedule

SERIES I

• March 1st - Alum Rock Park: South Rim Loop (4 miles)

• March 8th - Joseph D. Grant County Park: To Viper Pond and Rattlesnake Rock (4.75 miles)

• March 15th - Ed R. Levin County Park: The Calera Creek Trail to the Park's Northwest Boundary (5 miles)

• March 22nd - Henry W. Coe State Park: Loop Trip to Mahoney Meadows (6.2 miles)

• March 29th - Mission Peak Regional Preserve: Peak Climb from the West (6.3 miles)

SERIES II

• April 5th - St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve: Hike to the Meadow (5 miles)

• April 12th - Calero County Park: To Cherry Cove (8 miles)

• April 19th - Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve: The Kennedy Trail Ascent of the North Slopes (8 miles)

• April 26th - Almaden Quicksilver County Park: Randol and mine Hill Trails Loop (10.5 miles)

• May 3rd - Rancho San Antonio: Trek to Black Mountain (9.6 miles)

SERIES III

• May 10th - Ed R. Levin County Park: Climb to the Heights of Monument Peak (8 miles)

• May 17th - Joseph D. Grant County Park: The Washburn Trail to Deer Valley (9.7 miles)

• May 24th - Calero Regional Park: Bald Peaks Trail (12.9 miles)

• May 31st - Big Basin State Park: Triple Waterfall Hike (10.2 miles)

• June 5-7 - Yosemite State Park: Half Dome (16.2 miles)

Hiking Information and Links

Please ensure that you have the following items and that you review the information in the links:

• Hiking Boots – How to Choose Hiking Footwear, Breaking In Your Hiking Shoes

• Hiking Socks – How to Choose Backpacking Socks

• Hiking Sock Liners (optional)

• Clothing – How to Layer Outerwear

• Hydration System – How to Choose a Hydration System

• Headlamp – How to Choose a Headlamp

• First Aid Kit – How to Choose First-Aid Kits (Guides will carry a Wilderness First Aid Kit, but will use your supplies should a first aid need arise)

• Whistle

• Sunglasses

• Bandana

• Sunscreen – How to Choose Sunscreen

• Trekking Poles (optional) – we have found that some of our past participants greatly benefited from using the poles

For a more in-depth day hiking checklist – 10+ Day Hiking Essentials this will give you and idea of optional items you might wish to include in your pack. We believe in Minimum Impact Travel and ask you to do the same. We will be conditioning your body for hiking during our weekly hikes, however, we encourage you to do some additional work on your own following this Conditioning article. Attending a session, or even a few classes of FitCamp will certainly assist you in getting fit for the treks.