Hiker Meetups

Hiking alone has its pleasures, but it's also fun to share your hiking experiences.
And, with gas at $4 a gallon, it makes sense to team up with other hikers and split the cost of filling up your tank.

So, how do you find hiking partners?

Of course there's the simplest way: call up or e-mail your friends and invite them. Try taking someone along who's never been to the Cascades or Olympics before. They'll likely be very grateful.

But what if most of your friends aren't into hiking, or you're looking meet new hiking companions?

Well, there are a wealth of possibilities online. Meet-up groups have blossomed in the last few years, and there are many dedicated specifically to hikers. In the August 2008 issue of Washington Trails magazine, editorial intern Erinn Unger wrote about hiking meet-up groups in Washington. Erinn hiked with an Issaquah-based group called Something New! There's also the Seattle Backpackers site, which has over 1,300 members and is primarily focused on overnight trips. For those looking for something a little less intense, the Eastside Slow Poke Hikers group describes itself as being dedicated to the "lollygaggers, the meanderers, the dawdlers and the slow-pace hikers of the Pacific Northwest." Or check out the Pacific Northwest Hiking Group, which does hikes, backpacking trips, bike trips, and social events.

Just contact a group, sign up for a hike and go!