With California catching up to the rest of the country’s cold spell, I’m finding it more challenging to go on hikes in the morning when there’s still frost-covered paths. But I have to say that I am counting my blessings that it’s just the cold wind and the crisp air that I’m contending with.
What is the 61-Week Hiking Challenge?
How many of you make New Years Resolutions? How many of those resolutions have become part of your lifestyle? I know there are a lot of people out there who think “new year, new life” or “new changes for the coming year,” but I think that we set ourselves up for failure when we use the word “resolution.” There’s so many jokes out there revolving around how fickle we are as a society and laugh when our NYE resolutions don’t even make it to day 3.
Why 61 weeks?
I like to go against the grain. I didn’t want to make another meaningless resolution about working out and I didn’t want to wait until January 1 either. Why put it off when I’m ready today? I want to challenge myself. When a challenge has been put forth, I don’t like to loose or give up. It motivates me. So I decided to start my journey early (end of this past October) and start with something simple: I want to get outside and go on at least one hike a week. Whether the hikes are big or small, long or short, with or without kids, I want to actively engage my body and enjoy this beautiful world we live in. There are so many places to go (free places to boot) that I want to explore them all.
This week, I had one of my hiking buddies come along with me. Arleena and I traveled a relatively short way up to San Luis Obispo to hike the Johnson Ranch trail. I’m really bummed because my “MapMyHike” app stopped working shortly after our departure; however the maps say it’s roughly a 3.7-mile loop.
The trail is easy, easy enough for young kids but not strollers, and it is dog friendly. We even saw a few mountain bikers as well. I’m sure this would be a very beautiful hike in the Spring or Summer with all of the wildflowers blooming and green grass growing; however today, the open space was covered in brown grass. But nonetheless, the shady oak groves and vast rolling hills still provide a lovely backdrop.
The Johnson Trail also can connect you to the Irish Hills Trail. I am hoping to come back and extend the hike which would make it about 10 miles round trip.
To get to the Johnson Ranch Trailhead: From San Luis Obispo, take the 101 Freeway south to exit 198 for Higuera Street. At the bottom of a horseshoe bend in the off ramp, turn left into a parking area for Johnson Ranch.