The Vallejo Hiking Club is taking its first steps towards creating an inclusive hiking group open to participants of all ages and experience levels. This initiative is a natural extension of Rooted Vallejo's ongoing community efforts, which have focused on cleaning up spaces across Vallejo, including the Glen Cove waterfront, downtown waterfront, and portions of the Napa Valley Vine Trail. The club's co-founders, Camille Salazar, Erin McGarry, and Alejandro Bras, aim to activate outdoor spaces and encourage people to connect with nature and each other. The inaugural hike, set for 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, will be 3.5 miles round trip on the San Pablo Bay Hiking Trail on Mare Island. This hike is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of experience level, and aims to showcase the beauty and trails often overlooked in Vallejo. Salazar, a Vallejo native, emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature and community, especially in today's screen-dominated world. She believes that exploring hiking trails can resonate with youth and families, and hopes to expand the club with themed hikes centered on creativity, exploration, connection, and community. These themed hikes will include wildlife walks, journaling, photography, and botany-focused hikes, ensuring that every age group is included. Salazar also hopes to integrate art into public spaces, inspired by the public art installations along the Napa Valley Vine Trail. She believes that Vallejo has much to offer and that there is still much to discover, even for those who have lived there for a long time. The club encourages those interested in leading a hike to contact rootedvallejo@gmail.com. This initiative is a significant step towards making Vallejo a more accessible and engaging outdoor destination, and it highlights the power of community-driven initiatives in promoting environmental awareness and social connection.
