
Day Hiking Course
Conditioning Hiking Series
A course for hiking enthusiasts who are interested in challenging themselves by working up to long-distance day hikes of 15+ miles. We start hiking in April and build on mileage and elevation each month and end with a graduation hike in September.
- Info
- COVID-19: Learn about our most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page. All participants and leaders must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct before participating in this Mountaineers course.
- Sat, Mar 14, 2020 - Sun, Oct 11, 2020
- Committee: Seattle Hiking Committee
- Members: $150.00
- Availability: 100 (100 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
You must be a member of The Mountaineers to register for the course.
Registration dates are as follows:
- Jan 29th 9:00AM-Feb 11th 5:00PM: registration open for first-time participants only
- Feb 12th 9:00AM-Feb 28th 5:00PM: registration open to everyone (this includes returning participants and prior CHS graduates)
Returning participants who register before Feb 12th at 9:00AM will be removed from the roster and required to re-register at the assigned time, no exceptions!
Online or telephone registration only. The course fee is $150.00. Scholarships are available, please see the link above.
Cancellations are subject to the following refund schedule. Please note that all refunds will incur a $10 club cancellation fee.
- Before Apr 1 - 100%
- Apr 1-30 - 75%
- May 1-31 - 50%
- After May 31 - no refund
Overview: This course is for hiking enthusiasts who are interested in challenging themselves by working up to day hikes of 15+ miles. Our Conditioning Hiking Series (CHS) kicks off in March, and is designed to prepare hikers who are currently experienced at the upper easy/moderate level for the challenges of strenuous, long-distance day hiking. It is also designed to provide a small-group trip environment in which hikers can build friendships by hiking with many of the same people on each trip. All hikes are limited to participants in the course.
Minimum Qualifications: This course is not for beginning hikers. (If you are a beginning hiker we suggest you check out our 'GoHike' series here.) For CHS, you should be capable of a minimum sustained pace of 1.5 miles per hour (think 1:20 up Rattlesnake Ledge trail or 2:40 up Mt. Si trail). Participants are strongly encouraged to build physical fitness and spend time outside of the course keeping themselves in shape. You should be available and committed to go on eleven hikes over the course of the summer. You should also enjoy group hiking and socializing with your fellow participants.
What to Expect: The 2020 CHS program consists of a mandatory daytime class on Saturday, March 14 at the Seattle Mountaineers Program Center, a minimum of two CHS hikes per month building in mileage and elevation gain from April through August, and a graduation hike of 15+ miles in September. The class session on March 14 is designed to teach basic information that is needed to prep for longer hikes, and also to go over course guidelines and expectations. Participants are also required to complete one day of Stewardship in the form of trail maintenance and earn their Low Impact Recreation badge (consisting of a few videos and a quiz) in order to graduate. This is a popular series with a long waitlist, therefore, you must be willing and committed to graduating in order to occupy a spot on the roster.
Prior to your first hike in April, you will choose your preference for moderate (CHS1) or fast (CHS2) paced hikes. If you are uncertain which level is best for you, pacing hikes will be offered on March 21/22 and our leaders will help you select a pacing group.
Where We Hike: Our hike destinations vary depending on the month and range from the Cascades to the Olympics, from Mt. Baker to the Columbia Gorge, and everywhere in between including Mt. Rainier, Eastern Washington, the Kitsap peninsula, Mount St. Helens, Hwy 2, and the I-90 Snoqualmie Corridor. We offer hikes on each Sat/Sun of every month with occasional weekday offerings for those with flexible schedules. Please note that the hike list below is a work in progress. For a more accurate representation of what will be offered, you can view sample hike schedules from a previous year here (for the CHS 1 moderate pace group) and here (for the CHS 2 faster pace group).
Miscellaneous Details:
- Other popular annual events (all optional) offered with Seattle CHS include the Coast Cleanup Weekend at Shi Shi Beach (April), a Columbia Gorge hiking weekend (May), a Mt. Rainier campout weekend featuring hikes in and around the park (July), and a North Cascades campout weekend highlighting several stunning hike locales in the 'American Alps' (August).
- As with all club hikes, participants are expected to contribute toward carpooling costs if they are riding as a passenger.
- Our optional overnight trips have extra costs associated with them.
- We frequently stop for an inexpensive meal or snack following our hikes.
Badges you will earn:
Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
---|---|---|---|
CHS Mixer & Course Refresher (optional) | |||
Online Classroom |
Thu, Mar 4, 2021
Registration closed Mar 2
|
8
participants
|
|
CHS 1 Pacing Hike (optional) | |||
Wallace Falls |
Sat, Mar 20, 2021
Registration opens Mar 8
|
7
participants
|
|
Stan's Overlook |
Sat, Mar 20, 2021
Registration opens Mar 8
|
7
participants
|
|
Grand Ridge Park (Snoqualmie) |
Sun, Mar 21, 2021
Registration opens Mar 8
|
6
participants
|
|
CHS 2 Pacing Hike (optional) | |||
Tiger Mountain Trail |
Sat, Mar 20, 2021
Registration opens Mar 8
|
6
participants
|
|
Squak Mountain: May Valley Access |
Sun, Mar 21, 2021
Registration opens Mar 8
|
6
participants
|
|
Dirty Harry's Balcony |
Sun, Mar 21, 2021
Registration opens Mar 8
|
7
participants
|
|
CHS 2 Hike (optional) | |||
Kamikaze (Teneriffe) Falls |
Sat, Apr 3, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Margaret's Way to Debbie's View |
Sat, Apr 3, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Grand Prospect |
Sun, Apr 4, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
May Valley Loop |
Sun, Apr 4, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
5
participants
|
|
Lime Kiln Trail |
Sat, Apr 10, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
4
participants
|
|
Lily & Lizard Lakes |
Sat, Apr 10, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Olallie Lake |
Sun, Apr 11, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
5
participants
|
|
Lower Lena Lake |
Sun, Apr 18, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Margaret's Way to Debbie's View |
Sat, Apr 24, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
4
participants
|
|
Ancient Lake |
Sat, Apr 24, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Poo Poo Point |
Sat, Apr 24, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Oyster Dome-Samish Overlook Loop |
Sat, Apr 24, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Granite Lakes via Granite Creek |
Sun, Apr 25, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
5
participants
|
|
Yakima Skyline Ridge |
Sun, Apr 25, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Wallace Falls & Lake |
Sat, May 1, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Fragrance & Lost Lakes Loop |
Sun, May 2, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Mount Si Main Trail |
Sat, May 8, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Goat Lake (Monte Cristo) |
Sat, May 8, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Yakima Skyline Ridge |
Sat, May 15, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Green Mountain: Wildcat Trail |
Sun, May 16, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Ingalls Creek |
Fri, May 21, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Talus Loop via Teneriffe Trailhead |
Sat, May 22, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Snow & Gem Lakes (Snoqualmie) |
Sun, May 23, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
North Fork Skokomish River to Big Log Camp |
Sun, May 30, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Melakwa Lake |
Mon, May 31, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Rainbow & Island Lakes |
Sat, Jun 12, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
6
participants
|
|
Trap Lake |
Sun, Jun 13, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
Tunnel Creek to Surprise Creek |
Sat, Jun 19, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
Cathedral Rock & Peggy's Pond |
Sat, Jun 19, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
Duckabush River |
Sun, Jun 20, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
Gothic Basin |
Sat, Jun 26, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
6
participants
|
|
Klahane Ridge |
Sat, Jun 26, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
Tubal Cain Mine |
Sun, Jun 27, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
Grand Valley |
Sun, Jun 27, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
Glacier Basin (Monte Cristo) |
Sun, Jul 4, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Indian Henry's Hunting Ground |
Sat, Jul 17, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
6
participants
|
|
Cathedral Rock-Deception Pass Loop |
Sat, Jul 17, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Coldwater Peak |
Sat, Jul 17, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Indian Bar-Cowlitz Divide |
Sat, Jul 24, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Indian Henry's Hunting Ground |
Sat, Jul 24, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Walupt Lake-Pacific Crest Trail-Nannie Ridge Loop |
Sat, Jul 24, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Summerland & Panhandle Gap |
Sun, Jul 25, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Third Burroughs Mountain |
Sat, Jul 31, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
6
participants
|
|
Ridge & Gravel Lakes |
Sat, Aug 7, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Marmot & Jade Lakes |
Sat, Aug 7, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Crystal Mountain Backcountry |
Sat, Aug 14, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Surprise Mountain |
Sat, Aug 14, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Rainy Pass to Snowy Lakes |
Fri, Aug 20, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm |
Sat, Aug 21, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Sourdough Mountain |
Sat, Aug 21, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Spider Meadows |
Sat, Aug 28, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Royal Basin |
Sat, Aug 28, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Enchantments Traverse |
Sat, Sep 4, 2021
Registration opens Aug 25
|
7
participants
|
|
Sunrise to Mystic Lake |
Sun, Sep 5, 2021
Registration opens Aug 25
|
6
participants
|
|
Seven Lakes Basin & High Divide |
Sat, Sep 18, 2021
Registration opens Aug 25
|
7
participants
|
|
CHS 1 Hike (optional) | |||
Fragrance Lake |
Sat, Apr 3, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Dungeness Spit |
Sat, Apr 3, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Ebeys Landing |
Wed, Apr 7, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Tiger Mountain Trail |
Fri, Apr 9, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Squak Mountain/Bullitt Fireplace |
Sat, Apr 10, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Cranberry Lake |
Sat, Apr 10, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Little Mashel Falls |
Sun, Apr 11, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Talus Loop via Teneriffe Trailhead |
Sun, Apr 11, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Stan's Overlook |
Wed, Apr 14, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Paradise Valley Conservation Area |
Sat, Apr 17, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Heather Lake (Mountain Loop) |
Sat, Apr 17, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Bowman Bay |
Sun, Apr 18, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Dash Point State Park |
Fri, Apr 23, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
7
participants
|
|
Fragrance Lake Loop |
Sat, Apr 24, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Lime Kiln Trail |
Sun, Apr 25, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Margaret's Way |
Sun, Apr 25, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Little Si & Boulder Garden Loop |
Mon, Apr 26, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Dirty Harry's Balcony |
Wed, Apr 28, 2021
Registration opens Mar 24
|
6
participants
|
|
Monte Cristo |
Sat, May 1, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Snoquera Palisades |
Sat, May 1, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Lime Kiln Trail |
Sun, May 2, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Kamikaze (Teneriffe) Falls |
Mon, May 3, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Margaret's Way to Debbie's View |
Sat, May 8, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Coyote Wall |
Sat, May 8, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Cape Horn |
Sun, May 9, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Iron Bear |
Thu, May 13, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Icicle Ridge |
Sat, May 15, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Ingalls Creek |
Sun, May 16, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Wallace Falls |
Sun, May 16, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Mount Margaret |
Mon, May 17, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Lizard & Lily Lakes Loop |
Sat, May 22, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Talapus & Olallie Lakes |
Sat, May 22, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Freund Canyon Loop |
Sun, May 23, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Baker River & East Baker Lake |
Sun, May 23, 2021
Registration opens Apr 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Wallace Falls Loop |
Wed, Jun 2, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
6
participants
|
|
Goat Lake (Monte Cristo) |
Sat, Jun 5, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
6
participants
|
|
Poo Poo Point via Chirico Trail |
Sun, Jun 6, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
6
participants
|
|
Crystal Lakes (Mount Rainier) |
Sun, Jun 6, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
Mason Lake |
Mon, Jun 7, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
6
participants
|
|
Easton Ridge |
Wed, Jun 9, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
6
participants
|
|
Granite Lakes |
Sun, Jun 13, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
6
participants
|
|
Goat Lake (Monte Cristo) |
Sat, Jun 19, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
DeRoux Creek-Gallagher Head Lake |
Sat, Jun 19, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
6
participants
|
|
Mount Washington (Snoqualmie) |
Mon, Jun 21, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
6
participants
|
|
Deer Ridge |
Sat, Jun 26, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
Mount Sawyer & Tonga Ridge |
Wed, Jun 30, 2021
Registration opens May 26
|
7
participants
|
|
Lost Lake |
Sat, Jul 3, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
6
participants
|
|
Deception Creek |
Wed, Jul 7, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Peggy's Pond |
Fri, Jul 9, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
6
participants
|
|
Rattlesnake Mountain Grand Traverse |
Sun, Jul 11, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
6
participants
|
|
Granite Mountain |
Fri, Jul 16, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
6
participants
|
|
Lake Valhalla & Mount McCausland |
Thu, Jul 22, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Summerland & Panhandle Gap |
Sat, Jul 24, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
6
participants
|
|
Eastside Trail (Mount Rainier) |
Sun, Jul 25, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Naches Peak Loop |
Wed, Jul 28, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
6
participants
|
|
Hidden Lake Lookout |
Thu, Jul 29, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Josephine Lake |
Sat, Jul 31, 2021
Registration opens Jun 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Mailbox Peak |
Tue, Aug 3, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Scott Paul-Park Butte Loop |
Wed, Aug 4, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Navaho Pass |
Sat, Aug 7, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Shoe Lake |
Sun, Aug 8, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Summerland & Panhandle Gap |
Wed, Aug 11, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm |
Sat, Aug 14, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Coldwater Peak |
Sat, Aug 14, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
7
participants
|
|
Excelsior Peak |
Sun, Aug 15, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Little Giant Pass |
Wed, Aug 18, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
5
participants
|
|
Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm |
Fri, Aug 20, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Sunrise Loop |
Fri, Aug 27, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
6
participants
|
|
Maple Pass Loop |
Sat, Sep 4, 2021
Registration opens Aug 25
|
7
participants
|
|
Surprise Lake & Mountain |
Sun, Sep 5, 2021
Registration opens Aug 25
|
7
participants
|
|
Ptarmigan Ridge |
Fri, Sep 10, 2021
Registration opens Aug 25
|
6
participants
|
|
North Fork Skokomish River & Flapjack Lakes |
Sat, Sep 11, 2021
Registration opens Aug 25
|
7
participants
|
|
Indian Bar-Cowlitz Divide |
Sat, Sep 18, 2021
Registration opens Aug 25
|
6
participants
|
|
CHS - Just for Fun (optional) | |||
Maple Pass Loop |
Sun, Aug 22, 2021
Registration opens Jul 21
|
7
participants
|
- Navigation
- Sun protection
- Insulation (extra clothing)
- Illumination
- First aid supplies
- Fire
- Repair kit and tools, including knife
- Nutrition (extra food)
- Hydration (extra water)
- Emergency shelter
You must register for this course to see course materials.