Hiking benefits health
Stacey Peterson
Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: Outdoors
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Hiking helps shed pounds, maintain mental health and prevent heart disease all while allowing the experience of the outdoors rather than the feeling of being stuck in a fluorescent-lighted torture chamber.
"It's a good excuse to get outside, get off campus, and get away from the stress of daily life while getting some exercise and experiencing the views Spokane has to offer," Ryan Appell, Gonzaga Outdoors employee, said.
The stresses of school can be damaging to a person's mental health, but a quick fix such as hiking/walking can keep spirits high, according to the American Hiking Society.
Walking causes the release of calming brain chemicals (endorphins) as well as releasing adrenaline that is produced by the body to cope with real or perceived danger. If the adrenaline is not released from the body, it will accumulate and cause muscle tension and feelings of anxiety.
A beneficial exercise does not have to involve an endless, agonizing and boring workout. According to the American Heart Association, it is recommended to walk for 30-60 minutes three or four times per week.
A person weighing 150 pounds walking a comfortable speed of 2 mph will burn 240 calories in one hour, according to the American Heart Association.
After each hike, according to the American Hiking Society, "Your body will feel better, your head will feel clearer, and your stress level will have decreased. You'll want to hike again."
For more information on the benefits of hiking, visit www.americanhiking.org.
Local hikes include:
Little Spokane River
This moderate 5-mile hike takes you through one of the most scenic and wildlife-rich areas in Spokane. The spring-fed river is ripe with trout and the shores are filled with deer. Elevation gain is a mere 200 ft., high point is 2,200 ft. Hike April through November.
Dishman Hills Natural Area
A moderate 4-mile hike in the Dishman Hills Natural Area that features over 400 species of plants, 72 varieties of mushrooms, 100 species of birds and 50 types of butterflies. Right in the heart of Spokane, the hike reaches a high point of 2,300 ft. Elevation gain is only 100 ft. Hike March to October.
Mt. Spokane/Mt. Kit Carson
An excellent day hike in one of the highest areas around Spokane, this moderate 3-5 mile stretch in Mt. Spokane State Park is suitable for every level of hiker. Elevation gain is 360 ft. High point is 5,282 ft. Hike June through October.
Mineral Ridge
One of the prettiest hikes in the Inland Northwest, this moderate 3.5 miler outside Couer d'Alene, Idaho, is suitable for a broad range of hiking abilities. With a high point of 2,760 ft., this hike also offers spectacular views of Lake Couer d'Alene. Elevation gain is 620 ft. Hike April to October.
Upper Priest Lake-Navigation Trail
This moderate 12-mile hike in the Kaniksu National Forest-Priest Lake District offers a great getaway from city crowds, excellent fly fishing, great views of the Selkirks and good wildlife watching. High point is 2,640 ft. Elevation gain is 200 ft. Hike late-May through mid-October.
Beehive Lakes
This moderately difficult 9-mile hike in the Kaniksu National Forest-Sandpoint District offers great views of the surrounding granite shoulder of the crest. Plus, the lakes are stocked with cutthroat trout for those hoping to fish. Elevation gain is 2,010 ft. High point is 6,460 ft. Hike late-June through October.
Pyramid-Ball Lakes
This short, reasonably easy, 5-mile day hike in the Kanisku National Forest-Bonner's Ferry District can also be a fun overnight trip. Pyramid Lake takes only an hour to get to. Elevation gain is 1,130 ft. High point is 6,710 ft. Hike mid-July through September.
Kettle Crest South
For abundant wildlife including deer, coyotes, grouse, black bears and songbirds, this moderately difficult 13-mile hike in the Colville National Forest is a real find. Elevation gain is 1,523 ft. High point is 6,923 ft. Hike mid-June through September.
Cedar Lakes
Nestled in the midst of towering peaks, this moderately difficult 12-mile trail in the Kootenai National Forest is one of the prettiest hikes in the Cabinet Mountains. Glacier National Park, Kootenai Falls and the Kootenai River are all visible as you reach an elevation of 5,888 ft. Total elevation gain is 3,108 ft. Hike June through September.
For additional information go to www.rei.com.
"It's a good excuse to get outside, get off campus, and get away from the stress of daily life while getting some exercise and experiencing the views Spokane has to offer," Ryan Appell, Gonzaga Outdoors employee, said.
The stresses of school can be damaging to a person's mental health, but a quick fix such as hiking/walking can keep spirits high, according to the American Hiking Society.
Walking causes the release of calming brain chemicals (endorphins) as well as releasing adrenaline that is produced by the body to cope with real or perceived danger. If the adrenaline is not released from the body, it will accumulate and cause muscle tension and feelings of anxiety.
A beneficial exercise does not have to involve an endless, agonizing and boring workout. According to the American Heart Association, it is recommended to walk for 30-60 minutes three or four times per week.
A person weighing 150 pounds walking a comfortable speed of 2 mph will burn 240 calories in one hour, according to the American Heart Association.
After each hike, according to the American Hiking Society, "Your body will feel better, your head will feel clearer, and your stress level will have decreased. You'll want to hike again."
For more information on the benefits of hiking, visit www.americanhiking.org.
Local hikes include:
Little Spokane River
This moderate 5-mile hike takes you through one of the most scenic and wildlife-rich areas in Spokane. The spring-fed river is ripe with trout and the shores are filled with deer. Elevation gain is a mere 200 ft., high point is 2,200 ft. Hike April through November.
Dishman Hills Natural Area
A moderate 4-mile hike in the Dishman Hills Natural Area that features over 400 species of plants, 72 varieties of mushrooms, 100 species of birds and 50 types of butterflies. Right in the heart of Spokane, the hike reaches a high point of 2,300 ft. Elevation gain is only 100 ft. Hike March to October.
Mt. Spokane/Mt. Kit Carson
An excellent day hike in one of the highest areas around Spokane, this moderate 3-5 mile stretch in Mt. Spokane State Park is suitable for every level of hiker. Elevation gain is 360 ft. High point is 5,282 ft. Hike June through October.
Mineral Ridge
One of the prettiest hikes in the Inland Northwest, this moderate 3.5 miler outside Couer d'Alene, Idaho, is suitable for a broad range of hiking abilities. With a high point of 2,760 ft., this hike also offers spectacular views of Lake Couer d'Alene. Elevation gain is 620 ft. Hike April to October.
Upper Priest Lake-Navigation Trail
This moderate 12-mile hike in the Kaniksu National Forest-Priest Lake District offers a great getaway from city crowds, excellent fly fishing, great views of the Selkirks and good wildlife watching. High point is 2,640 ft. Elevation gain is 200 ft. Hike late-May through mid-October.
Beehive Lakes
This moderately difficult 9-mile hike in the Kaniksu National Forest-Sandpoint District offers great views of the surrounding granite shoulder of the crest. Plus, the lakes are stocked with cutthroat trout for those hoping to fish. Elevation gain is 2,010 ft. High point is 6,460 ft. Hike late-June through October.
Pyramid-Ball Lakes
This short, reasonably easy, 5-mile day hike in the Kanisku National Forest-Bonner's Ferry District can also be a fun overnight trip. Pyramid Lake takes only an hour to get to. Elevation gain is 1,130 ft. High point is 6,710 ft. Hike mid-July through September.
Kettle Crest South
For abundant wildlife including deer, coyotes, grouse, black bears and songbirds, this moderately difficult 13-mile hike in the Colville National Forest is a real find. Elevation gain is 1,523 ft. High point is 6,923 ft. Hike mid-June through September.
Cedar Lakes
Nestled in the midst of towering peaks, this moderately difficult 12-mile trail in the Kootenai National Forest is one of the prettiest hikes in the Cabinet Mountains. Glacier National Park, Kootenai Falls and the Kootenai River are all visible as you reach an elevation of 5,888 ft. Total elevation gain is 3,108 ft. Hike June through September.
For additional information go to www.rei.com.