Associated Students Inc. Peak Adventures hosted a hike at Avery Pond near Folsom Lake on Sunday, where approximately eight Sacramento State students joined two adventure specialists for a four mile, round-trip hike for beginners to get involved in outdoor activities.

The trip was part of Peak Adventures’ monthly hikes, which provide students and others from the community access to transportation and professional support on beginner level hikes in the Sacramento area.

“The hike was a success because no one was injured and everyone seemed to enjoy each other’s company,” said Adventure Specialist John Pistotti. “It was four miles, round-trip, with minimum elevation gain, totaling about two hours of hiking.”

Throughout the hike, adventure specialists stopped to share information about the nature surrounding the hiking path. The hike was a beginning level challenge through Chaparral Forest along the American River with poison oak, manzanitas and oaks which are common in the Sacramento valley.

“These hikes are a great way for students to meet each other and spend some time exploring the rich opportunities nature affords in the area surrounding Sacramento,” Pistotti said. “Hiking is a pleasant way to exercise and relax in an idyllic setting, just the thing for a stressed out student.”

Junior social work major Darrell Sherman said the trip was well organized and the staff was helpful in informing everyone about the knowledge they knew about the hike. Specialists were in the front and back of the group so they stayed together.

“I’m used to hikes I use to do when I was in the Marines, so I was excited to see what this one was like,” Sherman said. “I like being outdoors, seeing the view and being away from technology for awhile.”

Sherman said the hike was the first he had been on since Iraq for the Marine Corps in 2008.

“It was pretty simple and I liked it because I didn’t have to worry about carrying anybody, or taking someone’s 60-pound pack or pulling somebody,” Sherman said. “It was all about what I wanted to do; it was very much a leisure hike and I had a great time doing it.”

Now that he knows about the hikes, Sherman said he plans to attend the Sonoma Zipline Canopy Tours in April and the Wine Blending and Tasting Experience in May.

Adventure specialist Marcia Lutio said Avery Pond was a great location for people who have not done hikes before.

“I think it is a really great way to get people outside and involved in outdoor activities,” Lutio said. “It’s an easy way for people who haven’t done any activities like this before to get introduced to it and meet others who are also interested.”

Lutio said a lot of students who go on these hikes have met other people and started doing different activities together.

“I enjoyed having conversation with five random people I didn’t know before and talking about random things like their major and about the hike,” Sherman said.

Some students on the hike were involved in many of the other activities hosted by Peak Adventures.

“I’ve done a few trips through Peak Adventures and I think it’s a fun way to take a break and experience something new,” said freshman pre-nursing major Melissa Byrne.

Director of Peak Adventures Jael Young said she would recommend these hikes because of the easy access and the benefits of getting outside and active.

“I would personally suggest people go on these hikes to generally get a sense of wellness,” Young said. “Getting outside, getting fresh air and getting away from your usual environment is a healthy thing to do.”

Peak Adventures has been offering day hikes for years, but in 2011 it decided to create programs more affordable and beginner-friendly.

“We thought if it was something that happens each month that it would introduce people to other resources and hopefully get them interested in some of our bigger premiere hikes,” Young said.

After going on the hike on Sunday, Sherman said he is excited to share his experience with others.

“I would recommend it to anybody, not just my friends, but anyone who was interested,” Sherman said. “It was very entertaining and in my point of view it was a great experience.”

Alyssa Sanguinetti can be reached at [email protected].