I am excited to be partnering with Team Sierra this Earth Month to celebrate the 51st anniversary of Earth Day. To kick it off, I’ve compiled five of my favorite hikes in the US.
About Team Sierra & Earth Month
Team Sierra is the Sierra Club’s community fundraising program. Team Sierra members are environmental activists from all 50 states who care about protecting the places they call home. Over 15,000 people have created fundraisers that have raised millions to protect our planet.
This April, Team Sierra is focusing on climate action with a goal of raising $150K for Earth Month. You can learn more about ways to participate in Earth Month here.
I’m excited about this amazing Earth Day t-shirt by Marine Layer. Marine Layer is one of my favorite brands and this shirt is part of a line of clothing made from recycled materials.
Team Sierra is encouraging folks to get outside on April 22! Go for a hike, clean up trash, or plant a tree. Don’t forget to tag #TeamSierra to be included in their social media.
Five Great Hikes to Celebrate Earth Month
There are a lot of ways to get involved with Earth Month, including hiking. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite hikes around the US. These hikes offer amazing views and the trails are well respected. Bonus -- they are also all dog-friendly!
Be sure to check local and CDC guidance before heading out for your hike.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Chen
1. California (Pacifica) - Montara Mountain
Montara Mountain is a classic coastal hike that offers views of the Pacific Ocean only a few minutes after leaving the trailhead. The hike is around seven miles and climbs to just shy of 2,000 feet. With the nice ocean breeze and unbeatable views, Montara Mountain is one of my go-to hikes in the Bay Area.
2. Washington (Snohomish County) - Lake Serene
Lake Serene is a beautiful hike through what can seem like the quintessential moody landscape. On this eight-mile hike, you can take a pit stop at the very appropriately named Bridal Veil Falls before ending at Lake Serene.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Chen
3. Utah (Kanab) - Bunting Trail
Many people think of Kanab as a quick stopover between better-known destinations like Zion National Park or the Grand Canyon, but I personally love staying in the town of Kanab and doing some local hikes.
The Bunting Trail is one of my favorite hikes in Kanab. At a little less than five miles, it climbs to the top of a mesa, affording 360 degree views of the entire area. The trail can get a little narrow, but it’s definitely doable for dogs if you hike carefully.
4. New Hampshire (White Mountains) - Mount Lafayette
Mount Lafayette is one of my favorite 4000-footers in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. A great way to hike to Mount Lafayette is to make a loop connecting through Little Haystack Summit.
From the summit you have grand 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks. Lafayette is a great introduction to the White Mountains. Note that in the spring, you may need to attach microspikes to your shoes for better traction.
5. Maine (Western Maine) - Tumbledown Mountain
Tumbledown Mountain is less well-known than other Maine landmarks like Mount Katahdin and Acadia National Park, but it is a wonderfully peaceful hike featuring a fun ladder climb. Although this trail is dog-friendly, the ladder climb can be a little difficult for some pups.
Visit Team Sierra's website to learn more on how to get involved for Earth Day.