Bellingham Senior Trailblazers
The Senior Trailblazers is a hiking club for folks 50 years old and over. We are independent from the Bellingham Senior Activity Center but we do have a close association with them as they provide us with a meeting place, parking facilities and use of their monthly publication. It is for these reasons that BSAC membership is required as a prerequisite for membership in the Senior Trailblazers.
The club's purpose is to provide an opportunity for members to hike on a weekly basis throughout the year regardless of weather. Our philosophy is to promote fellowship and camaraderie in addition to keeping our bodies healthy and in shape. After the hike, we often stop at the Center for a cup of coffee and conversation.
Our hikes are for active seniors. Hikes vary from 4 to more than 10 miles. The easy hikes are on flat or slightly rolling terrain while the moderate hikes are uphill and in the mountains. A few hikes are rated hard, due to especially challenging conditions. To include more people with different hiking abilities, two hikes are often scheduled for the same day. The first listed hike will be more physically demanding and the second will be less challenging; the two hikes usually go to different places.
| Membership: | Each hiker must be a member of the Bellingham Senior Activity Center; currently the dues are $50 per year |
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| Schedule: | Tuesdays & Thursdays, except for major holidays. Please try to be at the Center fifteen minutes before the scheduled departure time |
| Transportation: | Members carpool to and from the trailhead. The carpool amount should be given to your driver upon return to the Center |
| What to Wear: | Hiking boots and appropriate clothing for our fickle weather. Avoid cotton clothing (jeans & sweats, especially) if there is even a chance of rain - and there almost always is! |
| What to Bring: | Lunch, snacks, water, hiking poles, medicine (if necessary) The 10 Essentials: Extra clothing, extra food, sunglasses, First Aid Kit, matches, fire starter that will work under wet conditions, flashlight, knife, map and compass. |
| Rules: | Follow your leader and keep together with the group |
| Locales: | Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties and the Lower Vancouver Mainland |
| Planning: | Quarterly meetings are held to determine hike schedules. All members are encouraged to participate in the planning sessions. |