Cougar Mountain: Sky Country Trailhead

Trip

Day Hike - Sky Country-Cave Hole Loop

Enjoy a mindful outdoor experience on a leisurely hike that may help you develop more awareness or mindfulness of the present moment and connect more deeply with your body and your breath so you can encounter nature in a more meditative way.

  • *Varies*
  • Easy
  • Mileage: 3.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 400 ft
  • Pace: 1.5 - 2 mph

This hike will begin with some simple warm-ups to help you become more aware of how you feel in your body, followed by some guided breathing practices to help soothe and settle the mind.   

Much of the hike will be in silence and integrate elements of mindfulness, forest bathing, and meditation, which creates a powerful antidote for stress and anxiety and it's an amazing way to feel more connected and grounded with nature and within yourself.  We'll stop a few times during the walk just in case there are any questions or anyone would like to share any thoughts or insights.  

The pace will be slow and mindful, so there's no need to worry about keeping up with the group!   Those looking for a workout may not enjoy this walk.

Although I have a route planned, enjoying the journey is more important than completing the planned route. So rather than completing a certain number of miles, please consider this hike an opportunity for you to slow down and awaken your senses to what’s showing up around you without any expectations or agenda. We’ll hike at an easy pace making sure to take in the beauty of our surroundings. After we’ve hiked ~90 minutes, we’ll check where we are and decide whether to complete the planned route, turn back the way we came, or take a shorter route back to the orchard where we’ll begin our seated meditation. You can sit at one of the picnic tables for the meditation or you may want to bring a sit pad, blanket, or towel so you can sit on the ground.

If you've never incorporated elements of mindfulness into your outdoor activities, you will likely experience nature in a more profound way than ever before.  

Please plan for this experience to last at least 3.5 hours.

Meet at the Sky Country Trailhead at 10:00 am

Route/Place

Cougar Mountain: Sky Country Trailhead


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials

  • Navigation
  • Headlamp
  • Sun protection
  • First aid
  • Knife
  • Fire
  • Shelter
  • Extra food
  • Extra water
  • Extra clothes
Trip Reports