Here is a guide to help you organize a hike for the MARS Hiking Club. Thank you for taking a leadership role!
- Choose a date. Date may change to accommodate holidays, trail conditions and weather.
- Choose a trail. Typically easy to moderate difficulty. Length +/- 5 miles for hiking and shorter for snowshoeing. Trailhead should be accessible with passenger vehicle (or check if the group has enough high-clearance vehicles to get all to the trailhead). Consider time of year for “special features” such as wildflowers and fall colors. Sometimes have optional trails in mind to accommodate weather; for example, very muddy conditions due to recent heavy rain. Verify the trail doesn’t have restrictions on group size.
- Check it out. If you are not familiar with the area, consider hiking the trail before the MARS outing. OR read reviews online (AllTrails.com is a great resource). OR talk with someone who has hiked the trail. This will help you determine how long it takes to complete the hike.
- Après-hike lunch? Meeting for a post-hike meal is not a requirement, but many members enjoy having lunch together. You may wish to make reservations at a restaurant/brewpub.
- Notify club members. About two weeks before the hike, send an email to mars_hiking@googlegroups.com. All club members should have permission to use this distribution list; if not, be sure to notify Beth so she can debug the problem. DO NOT put mars_hiking@googlegroups.com in the “cc” or “bcc” – the email may go to SPAM folders.
The message should contain the following items:
- Subject line identifies that the message concerns the MARS hiking club.
- Date of the hike.
- Name of the trail or area.
- Description of the hike: difficulty, length, elevation gain, map, type of terrain, what the group might see, and if dogs are welcome. You might include a hyperlink to a website with this information.
- Time for hikers to meet at the trailhead or other spot (e.g. carpool lot).
- Option for lunch.
- If and when you want an RSVP.
- Your contact information; especially how to reach you the day of the hike.
- Provide information to the hiking club POC. Hike information should be provided to Beth King for posting. If the hike is cancelled, rescheduled, or other changes, be sure to notify Beth.
- Follow up. A day or two before the hike, you may send out an email to mars_hiking@googlegroups.com (or only to those who RSVP’d) to summarize who is coming and any updates. You might also include a note about the weather forecast.
- Day of the hike. Assess the readiness of the group before heading out on the trail (e.g. water, hats, sunscreen, and rain gear). Please have hikers sign-in and provide emergency contact information. The release form can be downloaded from the club webpage. Take photos for the MARS Star article and the website. ENJOY the day!