Why We Hike: A Note From the Founder

There’s something powerful about putting one foot in front of the other.

At first, it looks simple, just a first step, just a hike, just another trail. But anyone who’s ever shown up to the trailhead unsure, nervous, excited, or craving something more knows it’s never just that.

Girls Gone Hiking started as a personal need before it ever became a community. I wanted movement that felt grounding, time outside that didn’t require perfection, and connection that didn’t feel forced. I wanted space to breathe, to challenge myself gently, and to meet women who were also figuring things out, on the trail and in life.

What I didn’t expect was how quickly this would grow into something bigger than me.

Over time, Girls Gone Hiking became about showing up exactly as you are. Some days that looks like crushing a summit. Other days it looks like a slow stroll, and a coffee afterward. Both matter. Both count.

Hiking has a way of meeting us where we’re at. Trails don’t ask for resumes or experience. They don’t care if you’re new, rebuilding confidence, navigating change, or just craving fresh air. They simply ask you to start…and then keep going at your own pace.

2026 feels different in the best way.

We’re not just hiking for fun (though that part is non-negotiable). We’re building toward something. Each month, we’ll be introducing hikes that gradually increase in difficulty, not to intimidate, but to empower. To show what’s possible when we stay consistent, supportive, and curious about our own strength. Our first summit hike is the beginning of a journey that will eventually lead us to Mt. Timpanogos later this year, and every step along the way matters just as much as the final view.

But Girls Gone Hiking has never been about the summit alone.

It’s about the conversations that happen on switchbacks. The quiet moments when your mind finally settles. The shared snacks, the laughter, the encouragement when someone says, “You’ve got this,” and actually means it.

It’s about community that feels safe, welcoming, and real.

As the founder, my goal has always been to create something sustainable. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. A space where women can move their bodies without pressure, connect without comparison, and feel proud of themselves no matter how far they go.

If you’re reading this and wondering if you belong here, this is your sign: you do.

Whether this is your first hike, your fiftieth, or your return after time away, there’s room for you. We’ll keep hiking, learning, and growing together, one trail at a time.

Thank you for being here. I can’t wait to see where this year takes us.

— Melanie
Founder, Girls Gone Hiking