Day Hiking Course
Conditioning Hiking Series
A course for EXPERIENCED hiking enthusiasts who are interested in challenging themselves by working up to long-distance day hikes of 15+ miles with significant elevation gain. We start hiking in April and build on mileage and elevation each month, ending with a graduation hike in September. ***REGISTRATION is by LOTTERY ONLY***PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR LINK to the LOTTERY and FULL COURSE INFO and EXPECTATIONS***
- Sun, Feb 11, 2024 - Fri, Oct 11, 2024
- Committee: Seattle Hiking Committee
- Members: $190.00
- Availability: FULL, 10 on waitlist (120 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
This course is a big commitment, so to learn about what is expected
*** PLEASE READ ON! ***
Lottery-based registration: We anticipate that all spots in the course will be filled through the lottery. To learn more about and to enter the LOTTERY>>>GO HERE!
Participants must be a Mountaineers member with current waiver on file to register for the CHS course. Guest members may enter the lottery and postpone becoming a full-member until the course registration if they wish. (This will not impact your chances in the lottery.) For Mountaineer's Membership questions please email Member Services: info@mountaineers.org
Cost: The course fee is $190.00. Scholarships are available.
Cancellations are subject to the following partial refund schedule. (The $10 club cancellation fee is taken into account in the numbers below).
- Before Apr 1 - $180
- Apr 1-30 - $135
- May 1-31 - $90
- After May 31 - no refund
Overview
CHS IS A SIX MONTH COURSE
The Course kicks off in March and is designed to prepare hikers who are currently experienced at the moderate level for the challenges of strenuous, long-distance day hiking. It is designed to offer welcoming small-group hiking opportunities in which participants can build relationships by hiking with many of the same people over the 6 month season. All hikes are limited to current course participants along with CHS graduates (alumni) from past years. (Current course participants always get priority in hike sign-ups.)
Minimum Qualifications
This course is not meant for beginner hikers. (If you are a novice hiker we suggest you check out the Mountaineers 'GoHike' series here.)
For CHS, you should be capable of a minimum sustained pace of 1.5 miles per hour (think 1h20m up Rattlesnake Ledge trail or 2h40m up the Mt. Si trail). Participants are strongly encouraged to dedicate time outside of the course to increase their strength and endurance and thus make their time on the trail that much more enjoyable. You should be available and committed to go on at least eleven hikes over the course of the summer. You should also be comfortable with group hiking and socializing with your fellow participants.
What to Expect
The 2024 CHS program consists of:
- Mandatory (no exceptions!) Orientation, In-Person, on Sunday, March 10th (9:00am-3:30pm)
- A minimum of two CHS hikes per month building in mileage and elevation gain from April through August (5 months x 2 hikes/month = 10 hikes)
- And one graduation hike in September (= 11 hikes total for the Course)
During orientation, we will cover course guidelines and expectations, how to sign up for hikes, and other basics including the 10 essentials, nutrition for long days on the trail, fitness, etc.
In order to graduate participants are required to earn a Stewardship Credit by completing one day of trail maintenance or other work that falls under the Mountaineers definition of Stewardship (you have the whole season to complete this but we recommend getting it done as early as possible)
We also require a Low Impact Recreation badge- This process is all online and consists of a few videos and a quiz (acquiring this badge needs to be completed by June 1st) .
This course has been historically very popular, so please be ready to put in the time and effort to graduate.
Prior to your first hike in April, you will choose between moderate (CHS-1) or faster (CHS-2) paced hikes. If you are uncertain which "pace group" is best for you, we offer up "Pacing Hikes" 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 CHS-2 hike may be asked to switch to CHS-1.
Where We Hike: Our hike destinations vary greatly depending on our hike leaders preferences along with anticipated conditions (snow, etc). But in general our hikes range from Eastern WA to the Olympics, from Mt. Baker to the Columbia Gorge, and everywhere in between including our 3 fabulous National Parks, along with the Kitsap peninsula, Mount St. Helens, Hwy 2, and the I-90/Snoqualmie Corridor.
We mainly offer hikes on Sat & Sun of every month, but we do try to offer some weekday hikes for those with flexible schedules.
To get an idea of the types of hikes that will be offered and when, you can see the list of hikes that were offered in 2023 by clicking onto the the second tab in this google sheet (the first tab contains overview information and monthly hike specs). It is important to understand that the actual hikes offered and the schedule are finalized on a month-to-month basis dependent on conditions, leader preferences, etc. Each month, participants will be able to sign up for their two hikes for the following month. For example, sign-ups for June hikes will be on Wednesday May 22nd. (Sign-ups are always on Wednesdays, at 9am for CHS-1 hikes and at 1pm for CHS-2 hikes.)
Additional Info: Other popular annual events** (all optional) offered with Seattle CHS include:
- Coast Clean-Up Weekend (with lodging) on the Olympic Coast, April 19-21
- Columbia Gorge Weekend (near Cascade Locks), May 17-20
- Mt. Rainier Campout Weekend, July 18-21, (featuring hikes in and around the park)
- North Cascades Campout Weekend, August 8-11, (depending on conditions this weekend may be switched to the Olympic Peninsula)
**Please note that our optional overnight trips will entail extra lodging and/or campsite costs.
All CHS graduates become eligible to sign up for the ongoing (year to year) CHS Alumni Course.
Badges you will earn:
Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
---|---|---|---|
CHS 2 Hike (optional) | |||
May Valley Loop |
Sat, Apr 27, 2024
Registration closed Apr 25
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Ancient Lake |
Sat, Apr 27, 2024
Registration closed Apr 25
|
3
participants on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Rattlesnake Ledge |
Sat, Apr 27, 2024
Registration closed Apr 25
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Little Si & Boulder Garden Loop |
Sun, Apr 28, 2024
Registration closed Apr 26
|
1
participant on waitlist
1 instructor
|
|
West Tiger Mountain 1 & 2 |
Sat, May 4, 2024
Registration closes May 2
|
1
participant on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Wallace Falls & Wallace Lake Loop |
Sat, May 4, 2024
Registration closes May 2
|
3
participants on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Grand Prospect |
Sun, May 5, 2024
Registration closes May 3
|
4
participants on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Poo Poo Point via High School Trail |
Wed, May 8, 2024
Registration closes May 6
|
2
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Bridal Veil Falls & Lake Serene |
Fri, May 10, 2024
Registration closes May 8
|
2
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Granite Lakes via Granite Creek |
Sat, May 11, 2024
Registration closes May 9
|
1
participant on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Yakima Skyline Ridge |
Sat, May 11, 2024
Registration closes May 9
|
2
participants on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
West Tiger Mountain No. 3 |
Sun, May 12, 2024
Registration closes May 10
|
1
participant on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Chuckanut Ridge |
Sun, May 12, 2024
Registration closes May 10
|
3
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Marten Lake |
Fri, May 17, 2024
Registration closes May 15
|
4
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Angels Rest & Devils Rest |
Fri, May 17, 2024
Registration closes May 15
|
5
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Greider Lakes |
Sat, May 18, 2024
Registration closes May 16
|
6
participants on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Dry Creek Falls |
Sat, May 18, 2024
Registration closes May 16
|
4
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls |
Sat, May 18, 2024
Registration closes May 16
|
1
participant on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Hardy Ridge Loop |
Sun, May 19, 2024
Registration closes May 23
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls |
Sun, May 19, 2024
Registration closes May 17
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Greider Lakes |
Fri, May 24, 2024
Registration closes May 22
|
1
participant on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Frog Mountain |
Sat, May 25, 2024
Registration closes May 23
|
1
participant on waitlist
1 instructor
|
|
Green Lake (Mount Rainier) |
Sat, May 25, 2024
Registration closes May 23
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Snoquera Palisades |
Sat, May 25, 2024
Registration closes May 23
|
2
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Ingalls Creek |
Sun, May 26, 2024
Registration closes May 24
|
4
participants on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Granite Lakes via Granite Creek |
Fri, May 31, 2024
Registration closes May 29
|
3
participants on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Island Lake |
Sat, Jun 1, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Navaho Pass |
Sat, Jun 8, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Fragrance & Lost Lakes |
Sat, Jun 8, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Blanca Lake |
Sun, Jun 9, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Gothic Basin |
Sun, Jun 9, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Snow & Gem Lakes |
Mon, Jun 10, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Rampart Lakes |
Sat, Jun 15, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Colchuck Lake |
Tue, Jun 18, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Snow & Gem Lakes (Snoqualmie) |
Wed, Jun 19, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Lake Caroline |
Sat, Jun 22, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Perry Creek |
Sun, Jun 23, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Rampart Lakes |
Wed, Jun 26, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Thorp Lake & Lookout |
Wed, Jun 26, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Marmot Pass |
Sun, Jun 30, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Lila Lake |
Mon, Jul 1, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Navaho Peak |
Sat, Jul 6, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Thompson Lake |
Sat, Jul 6, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Kendall Katwalk |
Fri, Jul 12, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Cathedral Rock-Deception Pass Loop |
Sat, Jul 13, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Mount Teneriffe |
Sat, Jul 13, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Tatoosh Ridge |
Sun, Jul 14, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Mount Fremont Lookout |
Fri, Jul 19, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Indian Bar-Cowlitz Divide |
Sat, Jul 20, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Snowgrass Flat & Goat Lake Basin |
Sat, Jul 20, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Summerland, Panhandle Gap & Indian Bar |
Sat, Jul 20, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Skyscraper Mountain |
Sun, Jul 21, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Tatoosh Peak |
Sun, Jul 21, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
West Fork Foss Lakes |
Fri, Jul 26, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Shoe Lake |
Sat, Aug 3, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm |
Sat, Aug 3, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Grand Valley |
Sat, Aug 10, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Royal Basin |
Sat, Aug 10, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Rachel, Rampart & Lila Lakes |
Sat, Aug 10, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Benchmark Mountain via West Cady Ridge |
Sat, Aug 17, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm |
Sat, Aug 17, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Spray Park |
Sat, Aug 17, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Around Mother Mountain |
Sat, Aug 24, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Kendall Katwalk |
Sat, Aug 31, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Cispus Pass |
Sun, Sep 1, 2024
Registration opens Aug 14; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Gladys Divide |
Sun, Sep 1, 2024
Registration opens Aug 14; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River |
Sun, Sep 8, 2024
Registration opens Aug 14; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Seven Lakes Basin & High Divide |
Sat, Sep 21, 2024
Registration opens Aug 14; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Wildcat Lakes |
Mon, Sep 23, 2024
Registration opens Aug 14; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
CHS 1 Hike (optional) | |||
Squak Mountain: Bullitt Fireplace Access |
Sat, Apr 27, 2024
Registration closed Apr 25
|
2
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Bowman Bay |
Sat, Apr 27, 2024
Registration closed Apr 25
|
2
participants on waitlist
1 instructor
|
|
Taylor Mountain—Holder Knob Loop |
Sun, Apr 28, 2024
Registration closed Apr 26
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Sauer's Mountain |
Sat, May 4, 2024
Registration closes May 2
|
2
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Fragrance Lake Loop |
Sun, May 5, 2024
Registration closes May 3
|
2
participants on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Iron Goat Trail |
Fri, May 10, 2024
Registration closes May 8
|
2
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Snoquera Palisades |
Sat, May 11, 2024
Registration closes May 9
|
5
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Ingalls Creek |
Sat, May 11, 2024
Registration closes May 9
|
4
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Wallace Falls & Wallace Lake Loop |
Sat, May 11, 2024
Registration closes May 9
|
3
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Saint Edward State Park |
Sun, May 12, 2024
Registration closes May 10
|
1
participant on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Talapus & Olallie Lakes |
Mon, May 13, 2024
Registration closes May 11
|
1
participant
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
Green Lake & Ranger Falls |
Wed, May 15, 2024
Registration closes May 13
|
5
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Cashmere Canyons Preserve |
Sat, May 18, 2024
Registration closes May 16
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Multnomah Falls & Wahkeena Falls |
Sat, May 18, 2024
Registration closes May 16
|
4
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Dog Mountain Loop (Columbia River) |
Sun, May 19, 2024
Registration closes May 17
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Lily & Lizard Lakes |
Sat, May 25, 2024
Registration closes May 2
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Sauer's Mountain |
Sun, May 26, 2024
Registration closes May 24
|
2
participants on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Monte Cristo, Glacier Basin, Silver Lake & Twin Lakes |
Sat, Jun 1, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Lake Serene |
Sat, Jun 8, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Frog Mountain |
Sat, Jun 8, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Lake Stuart |
Mon, Jun 10, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Mount Townsend |
Fri, Jun 14, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Duckabush River |
Sat, Jun 15, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Granite Lakes via Granite Creek |
Sat, Jun 22, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Coldwater Lake Loop |
Sat, Jun 29, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Navaho Pass |
Thu, Jul 4, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Mount Sawyer & Tonga Ridge |
Sun, Jul 7, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Green Lake (Mount Rainier) |
Thu, Jul 11, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Rattlesnake Mountain Grand Traverse |
Sat, Jul 13, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Surprise & Glacier Lakes |
Thu, Jul 18, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Summerland & Panhandle Gap |
Fri, Jul 19, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Sheep Lake |
Fri, Jul 19, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Dumbbell Lake Loop |
Sat, Jul 20, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Eastside Trail (Mount Rainier) |
Sun, Jul 21, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Cutthroat Pass |
Thu, Jul 25, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Marmot Pass |
Fri, Jul 26, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Goat Lake (Monte Cristo) |
Wed, Jul 31, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Berkeley Park |
Thu, Aug 8, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Obstruction Point Road |
Thu, Aug 8, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
5
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Summerland & Panhandle Gap |
Fri, Aug 9, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Tubal Cain Mine |
Sat, Aug 10, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Kendall Katwalk |
Sat, Aug 10, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Grand Ridge (Olympics) |
Sat, Aug 10, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
West Elwha Trail |
Sun, Aug 11, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Gothic Basin |
Mon, Aug 12, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Lake Valhalla |
Thu, Aug 15, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Indian Henry's Hunting Ground |
Sat, Aug 17, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Scott Paul Trail & Park Butte |
Thu, Aug 22, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Mount Erie |
Sat, Aug 24, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Ptarmigan Ridge |
Sun, Sep 1, 2024
Registration opens Aug 14; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Indian Henry's Hunting Ground |
Sun, Sep 8, 2024
Registration opens Aug 14; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Mount Constitution |
Sat, Sep 14, 2024
Registration opens Aug 14; Instructor registration open now
|
8
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Surprise Lake & Mountain |
Sat, Sep 21, 2024
Registration opens Aug 14; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
CHS - Just for Fun (optional) | |||
Mount Pilchuck |
Fri, Jun 28, 2024
Registration opens May 22; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Packwood Lake |
Sat, Jul 20, 2024
Registration opens Jun 19; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Dungeness Spit |
Fri, Aug 9, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Hidden Lake Lookout & Peak |
Wed, Aug 14, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Mirror Lake |
Mon, Aug 26, 2024
Registration opens Jul 17; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
You must register for this course to see course materials.