Hiking- The Natural High 3.1.20

Hiking is the Natural High.  In Japan what is known as “Shinrin-Yoku” is the practice of consciously spending time in the forest for the physical and emotional health benefits. Scientific studies conclude that trees secrete essential oil compounds referred to as phytonicides that along with the fresh air, the smells of nature, the sounds of nature, flowing water, rustling leaves, together all create this natural state of high.  This high can be explained as decreased stress, improved mood, reduced fatigue, feelings of awe and a vase array of other mental health benefits.

This Sunday  we invite you out to come get high with us!

Here is everything you need to know about our hike for Sunday!

1. The High: Hiking is a completely natural high! One that you will experience with yourself and nature.
2. Our Hike: The trail we will be hiking is 3.6 mile loop that is rated moderate. The elevation gain is 498 feet. The hike should take about 3 hours with stops.
3. Meet Up: 8:30am at Edmund Babler State Park. The exact meetup location will only be emailed out Saturday night to everyone that has registered.Please arrive on time and be respectful of everyone’s time. Please continue below to register.
4. Agenda: Meetup 8:30am, Welcome and Intros 8:40-8:55am, Stretches and group photo 8:55-9am. Hike 9am-12pm. The Hike will commence at 9am. If you are late it will be your responsibility be catch up with the group.
5. Things to Bring/Must Haves: comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes (hiking shoes/boots or sneakers with good traction) a jacket, water and bug spray. It is important to hike in comfortable shoes whether those are hiking boots or tennis shoes. If you are wearing sneakers I wouldn’t recommend wearing your nicest ones as they may get dirty. Dress warm and layer up! You will also want to bring light snacks and a backpack to hold everything.I always recommend bringing an extra change of clothes, shoes and socks to keep in your car in case it is muddy. Additionally, a towel and wet wipes may be helpful.
6. About Don Robinson State Park: Don Robinson State Park is a public recreation area covering more than 800 acres in Jefferson County, Missouri. Located in the upper LaBarque Creek (tributary of the Meramec River) watershed, the state park’s rugged landscape includes sandstone box canyons, shelter caves, cliffs, glades and upland bottomland forests. The land was bequeathed to the state by businessman Don Robinson following his death in 2012. Robinson started acquiring parcels in the 1960s and stopped when he realized his ambition of amassing a holding the same size as New York City’s Central Park. The park opened to the public in 2017. It features the stone house where Robinson began living in 1978 as well as two hiking trails and a picnic area.  Optional Things to Bring: headphones, go pro, gloves, scarfs, ear warmers.
7. What to Expect: The total hike should take about 3 hours and we should wrap up around 12:30pm. Throughout the hike we will stop for photos and rest breaks. There may not be any restrooms on the trail so you will want to stop prior to arriving. Is it possible that some areas of the trail may be muddy and dirty. Please dress accordingly. The trail is one big loop and will take us back to where we first started. Once we start the hike you will not have the opportunity to go back to your car to we finish.
8. The environment: These hikes are meant to be relaxing, therapeutic, but physically challenging. We encourage being adventurous and having fun but we also encourage safety and respect for others. On this particular hike we will have people of all ages and we welcome friendly dogs on a leash as well.
9. Weather: The forecast for Sunday is predicted at a high of 63 and low of 52. I would recommend layering up with at least three layers. The first layer you want to avoid cotton as cotton can you make you colder. Your outer layer should be a jacket that you can take off if you decide too once it warms up. I also recommend packing gloves, hat or ear warmers and dressing in to pairs of tall socks.
10. Lunch: We usually go somewhere to eat lunch afterwards as a group. This is completely option but if you decide to join us you will want to bring money with you.
11. About Us: @blackpeoplewhohike was created to inspire people of color to step out of their comfort zones and get active outside! We meet every Sunday morning at a different location in the St. Louis area. Current Sunday Funday activities have included hiking, rock climbing, kayaking and hot yoga! Future Sunday Funday actives include bicycling, skiing and zip lining. We have new people that join each week who are new to these various activities and we welcome that! This group is all about new experiences! We are on Instagram at @blackpeoplewhohike. If you are not already following us, please do so here! @Blackpeoplewhohike You can also follow us on Facebook here @Blackpeoplewhohike !

@Blackpeoplewhohike is a group of friends and perspective friends who enjoy hiking and other activities together. It is not a professional event planning or guide service that assumes any responsibility for your safety.