
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, ending with a graduation hike in September. PLEASE READ OUR COVID POLICY BELOW (click on MORE+)
- 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 12, 2022 - Sat, Oct 1, 2022
- Committee: Seattle Hiking Committee
- Members: $160.00
- Availability: FULL, 15 on waitlist (100 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Participants must be a Mountaineers member with current waiver on file to register for the course. Please email info@mountaineers.org with registration questions.
Priority registration: January 26th thru February 8th for first time participants only.
Registration Open to All: Starting 08:00 AM, February 8th.
: All students and instructors are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in this course. Students will be required to show proof of vaccination ASAP after registering for the Course. You can do so by sending in a pic of your vaccine card or your QR code to chsvaxinfo@gmail.com. Unless you tell us otherwise you will then be awarded a Mountaineers "Covid Vaccination" Badge that will show up in your profile. This will then preclude the need to send in proof of vax for other Mountaineers activities. Participants will be required to keep up to date with current public guidelines for boosters, exposure for quarantine, etc. from the Mountaineers, King County, Washington, and the CDC. Additionally, masks will be required when indoors for in-person lectures.
Due to the ongoing pandemic and the rise of variants of the COVID-19 virus, we will strive to re-evaluate protocols closer to the course dates and, in keeping with the Mountaineers COVID Guidelines, we will modify our COVID protocols accordingly.
Cost: The course fee is $160.00. 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. The Seattle 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 over time by hiking with many of the same people on each trip. All hikes are limited to current participants and former CHS graduates.
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 dedicate time outside of the course to 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 2022 CHS program consists of a mandatory orientation, a minimum of two CHS hikes per month building in mileage and elevation gain from April through August, and a graduation hike in September. During orientation, we will cover basic information that is needed to prep for longer hikes, and also go over course guidelines and expectations. Participants are also required to earn a Stewardship Credit (by completing one day of trail maintenance), as well as their Low Impact Recreation badge (consisting of a few videos and a quiz) in order to graduate.
This is typically a very popular series, and there is usually a long waitlist, so please be committed to putting in the time and effort to graduate before registering and claiming a spot on the roster. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the course leaders.
Prior to your first hike in April, you will choose your preference for moderate (CHS1) or faster (CHS2) paced hikes. If you are uncertain which level is best for you, pacing hikes will be offered in March and our leaders will help you select a pacing group. Once the course begins in April any participant who has trouble keeping up with the group on a CHS2 hike may be asked to switch to CHS1.
Where We Hike: Our hike destinations vary depending on anticipated conditions (snow, etc) 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 try to offer hikes on each Sat/Sun of every month, as well as occasional weekday offerings for those with flexible schedules.
To get an idea of the types of hikes that will be offered and when, you can view sample hike schedules from a previous year here (for the CHS 1 < 2.0 mph pace group) and here (for the CHS 2 > 2.0 mph faster pace group).
Additional Info: Other popular annual events* (all optional) offered with Seattle CHS include a Coast Clean-Up Weekend (with lodging) on the Olympic Coast, A Columbia Gorge Weekend (May) near Cascade Locks, a campout weekend (June) with hikes to scenic peninsula locales, a Mt. Rainier campout weekend featuring hikes in and around the park (July), and a North Cascades campout weekend highlighting several stunning hike destinations in the 'American Alps' (August). Our optional overnight trips have extra costs associated with them. *Note that in 2021 the structure of these weekends was changed due to Covid-19, and exactly what these will look like in 2022 is still to-be-determined.
Badges you will earn:
Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
---|---|---|---|
CHS 2 Hike (optional) | |||
Little Si |
Fri, May 27, 2022
Registration closed May 25
|
1
participant
|
|
Greider Lakes |
Sat, May 28, 2022
Registration closed May 26
|
1
participant
|
|
Snoquera Palisades |
Sat, May 28, 2022
Registration closed May 26
|
0
participants
|
|
Ingalls Creek |
Mon, May 30, 2022
Registration closes May 28
|
1
participant on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Talus Loop via Teneriffe Trailhead |
Sat, Jun 4, 2022
Registration closes Jun 2
|
3
participants
|
|
Middle Fork Snoqualmie: Upstream |
Sun, Jun 5, 2022
Registration closes Jun 3
|
0
participants
|
|
Pratt Lake Trail |
Sun, Jun 5, 2022
Registration closes Jun 3
|
3
participants
|
|
Navaho Pass |
Sat, Jun 11, 2022
Registration closes Jun 9
|
0
participants
|
|
Grand Prospect |
Sat, Jun 11, 2022
Registration closes Jun 9
|
0
participants
|
|
Squak Mountain: Sycamore Access |
Sun, Jun 12, 2022
Registration closes Jun 10
|
3
participants
|
|
Johnson Creek—Medra Pass |
Sun, Jun 12, 2022
Registration closes Jun 9
|
0
participants
|
|
Navaho Pass |
Thu, Jun 16, 2022
Registration closes Jun 14
|
1
participant
|
|
Perry Creek |
Sat, Jun 18, 2022
Registration closes Jun 16
|
1
participant on waitlist
|
|
Chuckanut Ridge & Mountain |
Sun, Jun 19, 2022
Registration closes Jun 17
|
1
participant on waitlist
|
|
Pratt Lake Trail |
Sun, Jun 19, 2022
Registration closes Jun 17
|
1
participant on waitlist
|
|
Mount Si Old Trail |
Fri, Jun 24, 2022
Registration closes Jun 22
|
3
participants
|
|
Mount Muller Divide Trail |
Sat, Jun 25, 2022
Registration closes Jun 23
|
5
participants
|
|
The Enchantments/Colchuck Lake |
Sat, Jun 25, 2022
Registration closes Jun 23
|
3
participants on waitlist
|
|
Tubal Cain Mine, Buckhorn Lake & Marmot Pass |
Sat, Jun 25, 2022
Registration closes Jun 23
|
5
participants
|
|
Gem Lake |
Sun, Jun 26, 2022
Registration closes Jun 24
|
3
participants on waitlist
|
|
Marmot Pass |
Sun, Jun 26, 2022
Registration closes Jun 24
|
5
participants
|
|
Rainbow & Island Lakes |
Fri, Jul 1, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Royal Basin |
Sat, Jul 2, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Mount Teneriffe |
Sat, Jul 2, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Benchmark Mountain via West Cady Ridge |
Sun, Jul 3, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
6
participants
|
|
Tunnel Creek to Surprise Creek |
Sat, Jul 16, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Indian Bar-Cowlitz Divide |
Sat, Jul 23, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Third Burroughs Mountain |
Sat, Jul 23, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Berkeley Park |
Sat, Jul 23, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Laughingwater Creek-Three Lakes |
Sun, Jul 24, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Ridge & Gravel Lakes |
Sun, Jul 31, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Shoe Lake |
Sat, Aug 6, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
West Fork Foss Lakes |
Sun, Aug 7, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Wonderland Trail: Longmire to Reflection Lakes |
Sat, Aug 13, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Indian Bar-Cowlitz Divide |
Sat, Aug 20, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm |
Sat, Aug 20, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Stilleto Peak Lookout |
Sat, Aug 20, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Thunder Creek–Fourth of July Pass |
Sun, Aug 21, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Around Mother Mountain |
Sat, Aug 27, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Pacific Crest Trail: Snoqualmie Pass to Windy Pass |
Sun, Aug 28, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Enchantments Traverse |
Sat, Sep 3, 2022
Registration opens Aug 17
|
6
participants
|
|
Pete & Spectacle Lakes |
Sun, Sep 4, 2022
Registration opens Aug 17
|
8
participants
|
|
CHS 1 Hike (optional) | |||
Monte Cristo |
Sat, May 28, 2022
Registration closed May 26
|
2
participants
|
|
Yakima Skyline Ridge |
Sun, May 29, 2022
Registration closed May 26
|
1
participant on waitlist
|
|
Cashmere Canyons Preserve |
Fri, Jun 3, 2022
Registration closes Jun 2
|
5
participants
|
|
Fragrance & Lost Lakes |
Sat, Jun 4, 2022
Registration closes Jun 2
|
7
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Granite Creek Trail |
Sat, Jun 4, 2022
Registration closes Jun 2
|
2
participants
|
|
Lower Big Quilcene |
Sun, Jun 5, 2022
Registration closes Jun 3
|
5
participants
|
|
Iron Peak |
Sun, Jun 5, 2022
Registration closes Jun 3
|
5
participants
|
|
Twin Falls (Olallie State Park) |
Mon, Jun 6, 2022
Registration closes Jun 4
|
4
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Deception Creek |
Sat, Jun 11, 2022
Registration closes Jun 9
|
2
participants
|
|
Mason Lake |
Sun, Jun 12, 2022
Registration closes Jun 9
|
1
participant on waitlist
|
|
Mount Washington (Snoqualmie) |
Mon, Jun 13, 2022
Registration closes Jun 11
|
6
participants
|
|
Goat Lake (Monte Cristo) |
Sat, Jun 18, 2022
Registration closes Jun 16
|
2
participants
|
|
Granite Lakes via Granite Creek |
Sun, Jun 19, 2022
Registration closes Jun 17
|
4
participants
|
|
Kloshe Nanitch Lookout |
Sat, Jun 25, 2022
Registration closes Jun 23
|
3
participants
|
|
Scorpion Mountain |
Sat, Jun 25, 2022
Registration closes Jun 23
|
0
participants
|
|
Pacific Crest Trail: Snoqualmie Pass to Windy Pass |
Sat, Jun 25, 2022
Registration closes Jun 23
|
6
participants
|
|
Lake Serene |
Sun, Jun 26, 2022
Registration closes Jun 24
|
2
participants
|
|
Deer Lake |
Sun, Jun 26, 2022
Registration closes Jun 24
|
7
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Rainbow & Island Lakes |
Sat, Jul 9, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
6
participants
|
|
Dirty Harry's Peak |
Mon, Jul 18, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Tubal Cain Mine, Buckhorn Lake & Marmot Pass |
Tue, Jul 19, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Lake Whatcom Park: Chanterelle Trail |
Fri, Jul 22, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
5
participants
|
|
Lake Valhalla |
Sat, Jul 23, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22; Instructor registration open now
|
10
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Van Trump Park |
Sat, Jul 23, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Third Burroughs Mountain |
Sun, Jul 24, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Cutthroat Lake & Pass |
Tue, Jul 26, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Lake Valhalla & Mount McCausland |
Sat, Jul 30, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
8
participants
|
|
Josephine Lake & Tunnel Creek |
Sun, Jul 31, 2022
Registration opens Jun 22
|
6
participants
|
|
Grand Valley & Moose Lake |
Mon, Aug 1, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Spider Meadows |
Thu, Aug 4, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Third Burroughs Mountain |
Thu, Aug 11, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Kendall Katwalk |
Sat, Aug 13, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20; Instructor registration open now
|
10
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Summerland & Panhandle Gap |
Thu, Aug 18, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Mailbox Peak |
Mon, Aug 22, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Thompson Lake |
Mon, Aug 29, 2022
Registration opens Jul 20
|
8
participants
|
|
Cady Ridge & Pacific Crest Trail |
Sat, Sep 3, 2022
Registration opens Aug 17
|
8
participants
|
|
Indian Bar-Cowlitz Divide |
Sat, Sep 10, 2022
Registration opens Aug 17
|
8
participants
|
|
Mount Teneriffe-Mount Si Traverse |
Mon, Sep 12, 2022
Registration opens Aug 17
|
8
participants
|
|
Surprise Lake & Mountain |
Sat, Sep 24, 2022
Registration opens Aug 17
|
6
participants
|
|
CHS Campout - Tent Site (optional) | |||
Dungeness Recreation Area |
Thu, Jun 23, 2022 -
Fri, Jun 24, 2022 Registration closes Jun 21
|
14
participants
$10.00
|
|
Dungeness Recreation Area |
Fri, Jun 24, 2022 -
Sat, Jun 25, 2022 Registration closes Jun 22
|
35
participants
$10.00
|
|
Dungeness Recreation Area |
Sat, Jun 25, 2022 -
Sun, Jun 26, 2022 Registration closes Jun 23
|
35
participants
$10.00
|
|
Dungeness Recreation Area |
Sun, Jun 26, 2022 -
Mon, Jun 27, 2022 Registration closes Jun 24
|
14
participants
$10.00
|
|
CHS - Just for Fun (optional) | |||
Dungeness Spit |
Sun, Jun 26, 2022
Registration closes Jun 24
|
10
participants
|
You must register for this course to see course materials.