April 20, 2012
Trail Trekking
According to the American Heart Association, nearly 70 percent of Americans aren’t getting adequate amounts of physical activity each week. Spring has arrived in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, so it’s the perfect time to get active and explore our beautiful region!
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state that adults need at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as hiking or swimming, per week to stay healthy. Children need to establish an active lifestyle while still young, and the National Association for Health & Fitness recommends a minimum of 60 minutes of activity per day. Going on a hike together can be a fun and interesting way to keep the whole family in shape.
Take a Hike!
Hiking has become increasingly popular as a form of exercise, and it has been shown to help increase cardiovascular fitness, boost weight loss, develop strong muscles, and even reduce mental stress. This spring and summer, get yourself and your family fit by discovering some of the spectacular trails the Sierra Nevadas have to offer.
In the Beginning
If you are new to hiking, start out slow. Find a safe, cleared path, such as the nearby Rock Creek Nature Trail in Tahoe National Forest. An easy, short hike like this one is a great way to introduce the entire family to trails, and a fun way to get to know local flora and fauna.
As you begin to feel comfortable on the trail, graduate to more challenging degrees of difficulty. Buttermilk Bend Trail offers a 1.25-mile at Bridgeport on the South Yuba River hike each direction—with a few steep sections—and beautiful views of the South Yuba River Canyon. This trail, originally built for mining purposes in the 1800s, is great for summer, leading to several swimming holes that provide a cool oasis during a dusty day on the trail.
The Empire Mine State Historic Park has several trails, including Hardrock Trail, an easy two-mile loop for hikers only. For families with young children, a hikers-only trail, which is free of mountain bikes and horses, can make exploring a little more relaxed.
Click here for more information about the hikes listed above
Trek around Tahoe
The Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park offers trails of varying levels of difficulty all around the lake. One of the most popular is the Marlette Flume Trail, which boasts incomparable views of the lake and forests.
If you seek the motivation of a real reward throughout your hike, following the nearly four-mile Chimney Beach Trail down to the lakeshore could be just the jaunt for you. This route also offers the option of bringing along the family pet, as long as Scruffy is on a leash.
Frequent activity is the key to remaining healthy, and getting out and about with your family or friends can be a fun way to establish healthful habits. Speak with your physician about the best ways for you to get moving in the great outdoors.
October 21, 2011
Northern Nevada Hikes – The High Desert
Carson Valley Trails Association
A great place to start is through Carson Valley Trails Association, which details great local high desert hikes that access public lands, including the Jobs Peak Ranch Trail and Fay-Luther Trail System. You can even find directions and trail restrictions, a full description of the trails, and detailed maps on their site.
To learn more, go to www.carsonvalleytrails.org.
Hike Spooner Lake in Northern Nevada
Lake Tahoe, Nevada, near Spooner Lake
If you’re looking for a great way to get outdoors and keep your family healthy and active, try a leisurely hike. The two-mile loop around Spooner Lake lets you enjoy marvelous meadows, abundant aspens, and wonderful wildflowers while strengthening muscles and burning calories. This unique trail has interpretive displays placed along the way, which are great descriptive and educational tools. Should you want to step up your exercise, you’ll discover that Spooner Lake is an ideal starting point for other hiking experiences. It is a major trail head that leads to Marlette Lake, the world famous Lake Tahoe Flume Trail, and the Tahoe Rim Trail (www.tahoerimtrail.org).
For more information on area pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hay rides and Apple Hill visit www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/NVpumpkins.php and http://www.applehill.com/ To learn more about the health benefits of sunlight, check out http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/articles/2008/06/24/host-of-health-benefits-attributed-to-sunlight.htm
October 20, 2011
Explore the Black Rock
This desert playa is unlike any other around the world.
The Black Rock Desert is a unique and beautiful part of the historic emigrant trails through Nevada. The vastness of the Black Rock Desert playa allows for a multitude of diverse and healthy outdoor activities. Enjoy back country or emigrant trail hiking, motorcycle or ATV trekking, hunting, horseback riding, land-sailing, rock hunting or just camping out under the stars. Spend a little time studying how to stay safe and enjoy the Black Rock, then grab your gear and enjoy a wild time, outdoor Nevada style.
Also, remember that the Black Rock is part of nationally protected wilderness and a little forethought allows us a great opportunity to not only keep ourselves healthy but learn how to keep our surroundings healthy as well.
For more information on the Black Rock Desert check out http://blackrockdesert.org/friends/ and to learn about “Leave no trace” principles take a look at http://www.lnt.org/
Nevada’s Singing Mountain
Sand Mountain is a unique recreation area located just 25 miles east of Fallon, Nevada on Highway 50.
Its 4,795 acres of slowly shifting sand dunes provide challenge, excitement and awe for off-road enthusiasts, hikers and sand boarders.
Stay awhile, as camping is welcome, and you will not only have a healthy time from all the physical activity, but you will learn why Sand Mountain has earned the nickname—”Singing Mountain”
As with all recreation areas, learn the rules and safety instructions beforehand and your time there will be better for all.
Find out more about one of Nevada’s most interesting experiences at http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_programs/recreation/sand_mountain.1.htm
Here's to Your Health 