If you are big on the hiking hashtags on instagram, you have probably seen the #52hikechallenge pop up here and there. I saw it constantly on friends feeds like my dear friend Amanda and when 2016 started I decided to take a part in the 52 Hike Challenge myself.
What exactly is it?
It is a commitment and a way to create a "be more active" challenge for yourself. You make a commitment to yourself to (on average) hike once a week. Hence, the 52 hikes in one year. It doesn't have to be one hike per week (unless you want to define it that way!). You can define the terms based on your individual goals. For you, a hike can have to be a new trail, at least 3 miles, or whatever rules you want to set. There are great resources on the website you can use and fancy ways to play along, but I just decided 52 hikes, set some guidelines, and write them down in my planner.
It is a commitment and a way to create a "be more active" challenge for yourself. You make a commitment to yourself to (on average) hike once a week. Hence, the 52 hikes in one year. It doesn't have to be one hike per week (unless you want to define it that way!). You can define the terms based on your individual goals. For you, a hike can have to be a new trail, at least 3 miles, or whatever rules you want to set. There are great resources on the website you can use and fancy ways to play along, but I just decided 52 hikes, set some guidelines, and write them down in my planner.
My Rules
I decided my hikes at to be at minimum one mile, and the trails had to be partially dirt (could be paved parts for access ways, etc). My goal wasn't to go on 52 long strenuous hikes, or to hike once a week, but to encourage me to get out and walk more in new places.
I decided my hikes at to be at minimum one mile, and the trails had to be partially dirt (could be paved parts for access ways, etc). My goal wasn't to go on 52 long strenuous hikes, or to hike once a week, but to encourage me to get out and walk more in new places.
I wanted a little extra "oomph" to see new trails, see new views to new lookouts, get away to new parks. At the end of 2016 I had completed 52 "Hikes" (what I defined as a hike for this challenge) in 3 countries (USA, Puerto Rico, Madeira Portugal), in 11 states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Utah, Ohio, South Dakota, Idaho, Oregon, and Arizona) for a total of about 409 miles.
I wasn't after peaks or crazy mileage. Some of my hikes were in crazy exotic places, while some were a quick mile on the trails by my house. All I wanted was motivation to get out more, and add in more variety. Looking over my list, the variety of my hikes in so many states (and even a few different countries!) is an achievement for me.
I wasn't after peaks or crazy mileage. Some of my hikes were in crazy exotic places, while some were a quick mile on the trails by my house. All I wanted was motivation to get out more, and add in more variety. Looking over my list, the variety of my hikes in so many states (and even a few different countries!) is an achievement for me.
 |
| Salt Lake Overlook |
52 "Hikes" of 2016
by month
by month
Rocky Neck Connecticut 3 miles
Rattlesnake Gulch Utah 4 miles
Levada Hike Madeira Portugal 7 miles
 |
| El Yunque hike to several waterfalls |
El Yunque Rain Forest Puerto Rico 3 miles
 |
| Hiking to Corona Arch |
Millcreek, Moab Utah 2 miles
Corona Arch, Moab Utah 2.5 miles
Diamond Fork Hot Springs Utah 13 miles
Living Room Utah 4 miles
Wildcat Trail Monument Valley Arizona 4 miles
 |
| Hiking in Natural Bridges National Monument |
Red Butte Utah 4 miles
Malan's Peak Ogden Utah 5.5 miles
Avenue Twin Peaks Utah 8 miles
Heughs Canyon Utah 3 miles
Ferguson Canyon Utah 3 miles
Cape Lookout Oregon 6 miles
Beach at Cape Lookout Oregon 3 miles
Malad Gorge Idaho 1 mile
 |
| Hiking in the Columbia River Gorge Area |
Dunes Hike Oregon 4 miles
Living Room Utah 4 miles
City Creek Canyon Utah 6 miles
Wind Caves National Park South Dakota 2 miles
Cuyahoga National Park Ohio 2 miles
 |
| Hiking at the Dunes on the Oregon Coast |
Avalonia Conservation Connecticut 1 mile
 |
| Hiking to Bells Canyon Reservoir |
Bells Canyon Utah 5 miles
Cecret Lake/Sugarloaf peak Utah 6 miles
Willow Lake Utah 2 miles
Clayhead Trails BI Rhode Island 3 miles
Turtle Creek Preserve Connecticut 3 miles
 |
| Hiking past Cecret Lake to Sugarloaf Peak |
Dodge's Paddock Stonington 1 mile
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| On the trails to Mount Greylock |
Bear Mountain Connecticut 6 miles
Lions Head Connecticut 2 miles
Mount Greylock Massachusetts 13 miles
Mount Washington New Hampshire 9 miles
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| Tuckerman's Ravine to Mount Washington |
Mount Mansfield Vermont 9 miles
Kingdom Trails Vermont 1 miles
Sill Lane Connecticut 2 miles
Sill Lane Connecticut 2.5 miles
Wyassup Lake Connecticut 3 miles
Jericho Trails Connecticut 2 miles
Odiorne Point New Hampshire 2.5 miles
 |
| Leaving the summit of Mount Mansfield |
Lantern Hill Connecticut 3 miles
Hartman Park Connecticut 3.5 miles
7 Sisters Ridge Massachusetts 6.5 miles
 |
| Hiking to Lantern Hill |
Jericho Trails Connecticut 2 miles
Cliff Walk Rhode Island 6 miles
Hartman Park Connecticut 6.5 miles
Old Saybrook Cedars Connecticut 1.5 miles
Cockaponset Connecticut 3 miles
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| Crossing the Rocks along Cliff Walk |
It is funny to sit back and look at the trends. Looking at my list I can see my weaker months were February (brutal cold!) June and August (brutal heat!). What does this mean? Suck it up buttercup. I know I can make a conscious effort to hike more in these months, to keep active and moving and keep up my hiking "stamina" for the warmer months.
So what are this year's goals? To set out on some longer hikes and even conquer some backpacking trips. More multi-day hikes instead of quick jaunts. 2017 I want longer hikes and more weekends away spent hiking. Oh, and of course, to tackle KATAHDIN (highest peak in Maine!) for my last New England summit.
So what are this year's goals? To set out on some longer hikes and even conquer some backpacking trips. More multi-day hikes instead of quick jaunts. 2017 I want longer hikes and more weekends away spent hiking. Oh, and of course, to tackle KATAHDIN (highest peak in Maine!) for my last New England summit.
What are your hiking goals?
What hiking trip are you most looking forward to?
Awesome, congrats on completing the challenge! I ticked off quite a few of the same hikes in Utah for my 2016 challenge, too. I especially loved Cecret Lake/Sugarloaf Peak. Are you doing the challenge again in 2017? I have similar goals as you for 2017, wanting to incorporate more backpacking trips instead of exclusively day hiking. Happy trails!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chrissy! Glad you finished your challenge as well! Cecret Lake and Sugarloaf was one of my favorites too, so gorgeous!
DeleteI haven't really dedicated myself to the challenge this year but I would love to meat the 52 hike goal. Great goals for 2017, looking forward to a great summer!
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