Wilbraham Parks & Recreation
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Wilbraham Hiking Club

hiking club
Wilbraham Hiking Club

The Wilbraham Hiking Club was formed in 2012 by Jay Taylor with the idea of allowing recreational hikers of all abilities to join in and experience Wilbraham’s gold mine of exciting trail lore, wildlife, flora and fauna. As interest quickly increased, so did the number of hikes offered and the location of the hikes expanded well beyond Wilbraham's borders. Weekly hikes are held year-round on Wilbraham's own trails as well as a range of trails within an hour's drive of town. Join the fun! Enjoy spectacular scenery, beautiful wildflowers and good company.

Hiking Sign-up Facts
-Both Wilbraham residents and non-residents can participate in and/or lead hikes! Hikes and registrations, including the ability to see who else is hiking and to cancel your registration if need be, have moved to the TeamReach App. Instructions for how to access the App are at the bottom of this page. 

-All hikers 18 and over MUST COMPLETE AND SIGN A YEARLY WAIVER FORM. The form is available below to print, sign, and bring to the hike or to the Recreation Office. (Extra waiver forms will be available at each hike as well.)

-Hikers must be 18 years old to sign the required waivers. Hikers under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for all hikes. 

Cancellations
Hikes are generally held unless there is moderate/heavy rain or snow or another severe weather condition. If a hike needs to be cancelled, hikers will be notified by 8 AM on the day of the hike. You can cancel your own participation in a hike in the app by changing your availability from yes to no. If you do not use the app, you will need to write to wilbrahamhiking@gmail.com to cancel your participation.

Instructions for TeamReach App
-If you do not have a smartphone or tablet and want to be part of the WHC, please send an email to wilbrahamhiking@gmail.com and your email address will be added so you can be notified of upcoming hikes. If you do not use the app, you will also have to RSVP to wilbrahamhiking@gmail.com if you want to attend or cancel, and, alas, you can not see who else is going.
-Install TeamReach on iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/teamreach-team-management/id1101253705
-Install TeamReach on Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teamreach.app
-Enter code: WHC01095
-Please log in and tap on the person icon in the top right corner to access the settings page. Then click on notifications, pick Wilbraham Hiking Club, and set it to allow push notifications and email notifications, so that you will receive notifications about upcoming hikes. It may take a few clicks to get to this page. Filling in "also known as" is optional

Please use the Hiking Difficulty Scale to determine if the hike you intend to sign up for is a level in which you can safely participate in. 

Northwest Hiker Calculator

Things to keep in mind for all hikes
• Always bring water and a snack, such as fruit, granola, nuts, or cheese.
• Dress in layers and pack an extra pair of wool socks.
• Wear waterproof hiking or rubber boots, unless the hike notes that the path is paved.
• Bring one or two poles if needed for stability or joint issues.
• Microspikes are recommended for icy hikes. Consider snowshoes for deep snow.
• Bring insect repellent or mesh headgear during bug season and "NERD UP": always tuck pants into socks to try to avoid ticks.
• With the exception of service dogs on leash, no dogs are allowed on hikes.
• Alcohol or firearms are not permitted on hikes.
• For reasons related to health and to forest safety, all hikes are smoke-free.

A note about hiking abilities and conduct
We are a group of like-minded people who enjoy getting together to hike and be outdoors. It's very important that all hikers feel welcome on all of our hikes. That said, a hike leader can refuse to allow a registered hiker to join a hike if that individual is not able to hike at the pace/difficulty level set by the hike leader or lacks the gear needed to enjoy the hike safely.
Additionally, although members often develop friendships (and sometimes relationships) outside of the group, the Wilbraham Hiking Club is not designed to encourage dating or unwanted romantic attention. It's appropriate to contact someone through email or phone information that a hiker has given you, but encroaching beyond a person's comfort level is inappropriate. So please: respect the boundaries of your fellow hikers. People who cross the line after being warned will be excluded from future hikes.

Additional Forms and Files:

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