Parish Hikes

   

Parish Hikes

St. Barbara Parish is unique in its summertime hiking program. Hiking in the mountains comes naturally for many parish members since the parish, itself, is nestled in the verdant foothills of the central Cascade Mountains. Fr. Chuck is an avid hike. Both winter and summer see him hitting the trails. In the winter, of course, snowshoes and deep snow give him the freedom to go almost any direction he wishes. A number of years ago, parish members asked their energetic pastor if he would consider leading “parish hikes” in the summer. From that simple request the long-standing parish hiking program has developed. The hikes are graded from short and easy to those that are recommended for experienced hikers only. Fr. Chuck reminds people that if a person’s idea of exercise is to move from the couch to the refrigerator and back again, even the easiest hike will seem like trying to scale a major mountain. "After all," says Fr. Chuck, "trails in the mountains do tend to go uphill!"

Parish hikes are usually scheduled for the first and third Saturdays of July and August. Depending on the length of the hike, starting time at the trailhead is either at 9 or 9:30 am. The weekend Bulletin advertises each hike for several weeks in advance, giving detailed directions on how to find the trailhead. Many of the parish hikes have several “turn around” points. Fr. Chuck wants people to get out and enjoy themselves. Yet, some people have stamina to go only a certain distance. The goal is not to necessarily get to the final destination, but simply to get out into God’s beautiful creation. While most parish hikers do make it to the ultimate destination of each hike, others tend to go just a little way on the trail before resting, eating lunch, and then heading back home. All parish hikes are close enough to church so that Fr. Chuck can get back for the Saturday afternoon 5:30 pm Mass with ample room to spare. The descriptions of various parish hikes found on the parish Web site will grow as more and more of the twenty or so most popular parish hikes get posted.