April 30, 2018 – Bear Yuba Land Trust, The Friendship Club and Folk Trails Hiking Club have teamed up to celebrate the national event Hike Like A Girl Weekend, Saturday, May 5, to encourage females of all ages to walk or hike this weekend and every day. Founded by Teresa Baker of African American National Parks Event, Hike Like A Girl also aims to unite participants by sharing their experiences on social media using the hashtag #HikeLikeAGirl2018.
The event offers the community a safe, supportive and fun-filled day that begins with complimentary snacks and coffee provided by BriarPatch Co-op along with an inspiring trail talk and photo presentation on Around Lake Tahoe in 15 Days and 165 Miles on the Tahoe Rim Trail and ends with local hikes guided by the Bear Yuba Land Trust, Sierra Club: Sierra Nevada Group, California Native Plant Society, Wendy Riley of MOMs on the Mountains and MOVE Fitness Studio, 49th Gold Country Scout Group and Folk Trails in and around Nevada City and Grass Valley including Empire Mine, Tribute Trail, Rock Creek Nature Trail, Hirschman’s Pond and Woodpecker Reserve, among others. On the hikes, participants will learn more about local natural history, meet new friends and reconnect with old ones, and gain some basic outdoor skills to use on their next hike.
“The benefits of being outdoors and connecting with nature are immense, especially for young women and girls who experience a boost in confidence and leadership skills,” explains Erika Seward, Bear Yuba Land Trust Co-Executive Director.
In addition to being empowering, hiking outdoors has plenty of other perks: nice views, fresh air, and the sounds and smells of nature. It’s also extremely good for the overall health of both adults and children, by helping to improve muscular fitness, better bone health, stress reduction, balance, and weight management, among other things.
Attendees should bring good walking shoes, water, snacks and/or a bag lunch, sun protection and extra layers. Attendees will need to drive or carpool to each trailhead following the Trail Talk. Each hike is approximately 2-4 miles, easy to moderate, and meant for hikers of all levels.
“The event isn’t about how fancy your gear is or how many miles you can hike. It’s about trying something new – something that seems outside your limits – and building a supportive and healthy community around that,” says Jesse Locks, Folk Trails Hiking Club Founder.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Bear Yuba Land Trust and Friendship Club. Bear Yuba Land Trust is a private, non-profit, membership-supported organization that works to promote voluntary conservation of the region’s natural, historical and agricultural legacy. For the last 28 years, the Bear Yuba Land Trust has provided a lasting community heritage by protecting and enhancing meadows, watersheds, forests, farms and ranches, trails and parks. Founded in 1995, The Friendship Club provides a comprehensive, year-round program aimed at developing the whole girl. Not just the academic, social, responsible, or creative part of the girl, but all of those. They serve between 75-100 girls in 6th-12th grades annually. It is a long-term prevention program designed to meet the needs of growing teenage girls, and their comprehensive approach is not only unparalleled in Nevada County, it is unique enough to be considered a model for rural communities across the country.
WHO: Hike Like A Girl
WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 2018, 8:30am Doors, 9-10am Welcome plus Presentation on Trail Talk: Around Lake Tahoe in 15 Days and 165 Miles on the Tahoe Rim Trail, 11am-3pm Hikes
WHERE: Gold Miner’s Inn, 121 Bank Street, Grass Valley
TICKETS: $15/Adults, Free for 18 & Under. All monies go to Bear Yuba Land Trust and The Friendship Club. Advance tickets are available online at www.bylt.org or www.folktrails.org. Limited space available.