Community Clicks
Sequim Over the Hill Hikers trek on trails across the North Olympic Peninsula to stay in shape, enjoy the outdoors and meet new friends along the way.
“I have philosophy that if you rest, you rust and I am not ready to rust yet,” said Diamond Point resident Vincent Convery.
Convery, 83, is an organizer of the informal hiking group known as Sequim Over the Hill Hikers.
The group meets in the parking lot in front of Goodwill, 680 W. Washington St., at 8:45 a.m. each Wednesday before carpooling to a variety of area trails for a three- to four-hour hike.
“We are a group of people who simply love the outdoors,” Convery explained. “We are a very informal group, there are no dues, bylaws or time commitments or requirements. People who are interested in hiking with us just need to show up.”
Convery said the number of participants varies between six to more than a dozen each Wednesday.
“People can look at the hiking schedule and decide if they want to go along,” he said. “Some people look at the weather in the morning and decide to stay home, while others, like me, believe that there is no such thing as rain on the trail. I have been soaked to the bone, but that doesn’t count on the trail.”
Trail selections are made about three months in advance and are posted at www.olypen.com/richd along with other information about the group.
People who can’t make it to the Wednesday hike have a chance to join a Friday hike, which alternates meeting places between the Sequim parking lot and the Albertsons parking lot in Port Angeles.
Information about upcoming hikes starting in Sequim and Port Angeles can be found on the website.
Last Wednesday, nine hikers met in Sequim to tackle a new trail off Deer Park Road.
“I love the warmth and humor of this group,” said Irene Irvine. “I have seen beautiful places that I would never have seen if I hadn’t joined this group.”
Irvine found Over the Hill Hikers three years ago after hearing about the group from a friend.
“Hiking with this group keeps me fit and healthy,” she said. “We hike at least six miles each Wednesday and everyone looks out for one another, no one is ever left behind.”
Irvine said her favorite hiking spots include Dungeness Spit and the Miller Peninsula.
“My daughter has said ‘Mom you are 67, but you just don’t look it,’ which I attribute to staying active,” Irvine said when asked what makes her rise early most Wednesdays rain or shine.
Forrest Davis stumbled onto the group about 16 years ago and depends on the group’s weekly hikes for a rather unique reason.
“I hike because it gets me out of doing yard work,” Davis said laughing.
For DarLyne Cashman, the group provides a way to test her physical endurance.
“I love the challenging hikes, any steep trail going up a mountain makes me happy,” she said.
Cashman, 63, belongs to four hiking groups, but likes how informal Sequim Over the Hill Hikers is.
“You don’t have to plan ahead, you can just drop in and go at the last minute,” she said. “This is a great group of people.”
Fellow hiker Ruth Farrell is never far from her camera, and takes images of the group as they walk and rest along the trail.
“I love the Obstruction Point trails, the scenery is so beautiful,” she said.
Convery said finding scenic hikes is easy on the Olympic Peninsula.
“I have directions for 100 hikes and we are an adventurous bunch and have been known to explore new trails we find while on a planned hike,” he said.
The group hikes a variety of trails from the remote back country in the summer to beach fronts and low altitude areas in the winter.
Inclement weather does not usually cancel a hike.
Hikes range from five to 10 miles round-trip with an elevation gain between several hundred feet to 3,000.
Karen Greenough was looking forward to her first hike with the group on July 20.
“My friend, Joan Sullivan, hikes with the group and when I said I was looking for a hike she invited me to join in the fun,” Greenough said.
Sullivan found the group five years ago and said she enjoys the camaraderie it offers.
“We have a lot of fun,” she said. “And we welcome everyone.”
Participants range in age from 40 to 83 and all skill levels are welcome.
Each hiker decides their speed and distance.
Each person is responsible for their own safety and insurance.
People should dress in layers suitable for weather conditions, wear hiking boots and pack a safety whistle, snack and plenty of water.
For more information, phone Convery at 360-681-0359.
