GOAL Foundation starts monthly community hikes for everyone
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- Hikers are pictured on the trail during the GOAL Foundation’s first community hike in February.
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- GOAL Foundation leaders Clairesse Miljour, Eric Bauman, Brooke Thompson and Sarah Moore are pictured at the organization’s first community hike in February.
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- Both beginners and advanced hikers put on headlamps and headed up Birdsong Trail during last month’s community hike.
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- Hikers are pictured at the GOAL Foundation’s community hike in February. All ages and skill levels and furry friends are invited to join the monthly hikes.
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- Hikers are pictured on the trail during the GOAL Foundation’s first community hike in February.
The community is invited to hit the trails for a new monthly hike series hosted by the GOAL (Get Out And Live) Foundation. The guided hikes, which began in February and will continue throughout the year, are held on the first Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at different local trails and are suitable for all ages and skill levels.
“After many conversations with people in our community, we have realized that so many people either don’t know about the amazing trail system right in our backyard, or they don’t have the confidence to go try it on their own,” said Sarah Moore, the GOAL Foundation’s contracts and administrative manager. “We have free programming throughout the year, but nothing on a consistent monthly basis and nothing on the trails.”
The monthly hike series started in February with Birdsong Trail. Being early in the year, the sun was setting as eight hikers, beginners and advanced, put on headlamps and headed up the trail. It was the first time hiking in the dark for some in the group, but Moore said they had a great time. “The beginners were able to feel the security of being with confident trail users, and the more experienced ones in the group got to go on a hike with the ‘fresh eyes’ of the others.”
This month’s hike, on Wednesday, is Waterfall Canyon from 29th Street. Then, Indian Trail in April and Icebox Canyon in May.
Moore, who organizes the hikes and spends most of her free time trail running with her “favorite four-legged fella” has a hard time choosing just a few favorite hikes. “I think for me it depends on the season,” she said. For winter, she frequents the 12th Street Canyon Trailhead heading north and back (the less wet side in winter and spring) and Malans Peak. Wheeler Creek to Middle Fork and East Fork are a go-to year round, and Lewis and Ben Lomond peaks and Snowbasin trails are where she loves to go when it warms up.
GOAL is a nonprofit organization, host of the Ogden Marathon, that produces and participates in countless community activities and programming to inspire the greater Ogden area to be healthier in mind, body and spirit.
Find updated information about monthly hikes on GOAL Foundation’s Facebook event page.
For all programming, including upcoming youth camps, visit getoutandlive.org.