Church group offers weekly hikes

It might come as a surprise to outdoor enthusiasts around Sisters, but a marked number of area residents have seldom ventured out onto the many mountain trails within easy access of the Sisters area.

A group of women from Three Sisters Fellowship Church would like to change that — and provide relationship-building opportunities in the process — by offering weekly hikes throughout the summer months.

“We’ve found that many people, particularly women, love to be outdoors, but don’t know where to go,” said organizer Kim Barry. “This program provides a safe, organized way of hitting the trails.”

The hiking schedule includes everything from kid -friendly hikes into Hand Lake to more strenuous outings into the Jefferson Wilderness’ Eight Lakes Basin.

Some hikes are designed particularly for women, while others are open to everyone.

The first hike of the season on June 17 traversed the trail along the Metolius River down to the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery and back.

Last week’s offering of a trek to the top of Black Crater covered nearly eight miles, which made it more suited for adults and older children. In fact, the group included nine teenaged girls along with three adult women.

This week’s scheduled hike will take place Thursday, July 7, to Hand Lake.

The hike is suitable for all ages as it is no more than a two-mile round trip on largely level ground.

All hikes originate at Three Sisters Fellowship on McKinney Butte Road. Carpooling is encouraged.

Hand Lake is just over the western summit of the McKenzie Pass and actually enters the wilderness.

Other hikes this month include a women’s outing to Browder Ridge on Wednesday, July 13, (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.); an 11-to-14-mile hike for adults and older children to the Eight Lakes Basin on Thursday, July 21 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.); a family-friendly jaunt to Tamolitch Pool on Sunday, July 24 (12 to 6 p.m.); a 10-mile trek into Sunshine Meadow on Wednesday, July 27 (7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and a 4.5 or 7.5 mile loop through Canyon Creek Meadow on Saturday, July 30 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

There are five hikes scheduled in August. For more information call 549-2934 or 549-4184.