Photo: Happy Hikers Facebook Page

By Sammie Garrity - Boreal Community Media - June 20, 2025

Every Wednesday during the summer months, a group of community members gather across Cook County in preparation to spend their day exploring the scenery and natural beauty of the North Shore. This group, known as Happy Hikers, is a collection of nature lovers who have been exploring the area's offerings for the past 25 years. 

The group began with the goal of getting outside and spending time with friends, but over the course of the past couple of decades, it has blossomed into something more. It has become a staple of the community and a weekly tradition that balances exercise with connection.

Happy Hikers began with Mike and Nancy Carlson, who founded the collective, but over the years, leadership roles have shifted, and the original people involved have come and gone. However, the core mission has always remained the same, with the core tenets of cherishing adventure and camaraderie shining through. 

The group is also unique in that it is open to everybody. Prospective members don’t have to apply, don’t need previous years of experience, they just need the desire to explore and connect. 

“The group is tailored to anyone who loves the outdoors and loves to hike,” current group leader Carol Morgan told Boreal Community Media. “While prior experience isn’t required, participants are encouraged to be in relatively good shape. We provide a detailed description of each hike, and we ask that people self-assess their ability to hike some of the more strenuous trails in our area.”

This open-admission model allows everyone to feel welcome, whether you are a regular or a first-time hiker. The group is also open to everyone regardless of residence, meaning you don’t have to be a local to join. Happy Hikers even has some international visitors, with one woman from the Netherlands joining their hikes last summer, and planning to return this year.

“We are a very welcoming group, whether you plan to join us on a regular basis or are just visiting for the week,” said Morgan.

The group typically functions in the following manner: each Wednesday in July through September, they meet at 9:00 a.m. in the YMCA parking lot to gather before the hike. The excursions are normally around three miles and can vary from low difficulty walks to some more demanding hikes. This selection, however, allows for everyone to get what they want out of the experience, ensuring everyone can be included at some point throughout the season. 

 “We try to plan a variety of difficulty levels so everyone can find a hike or two to challenge their abilities,” said Morgan.

Because of these varying conditions, people are encouraged to be fitted out with reliable footwear, hiking poles, and water to ensure a safe and comfortable experience. Participants should also bring a lunch or snack because the group stops for a picnic after every hike to encourage conversation and connection. 

Picking the hikes is a careful process, as well, with five or six individuals curating a list of the season’s hikes before it starts. Some trails are more well-known and popular hikes, but the committee does intentionally seek out some less-populated adventures as well. 

 “This year we have about six ‘new to us’ trails on the roster,” said Morgan. “In my five years of leading, we haven’t run out of new trails to try!”

Overall, Happy Hikers is far from a group solely focused on exercise. It is a group of people who have truly found a collaborative and meaningful way to meet new people and foster long-lasting friendships. 

 “Community and friendship play a big part in our mission,” said Morgan. “Having a scheduled weekly activity brings people together in a unique way. It’s nice to see the same faces, but it’s also exciting to meet new people every week.”

Naturally, no matter how much you plan, not everything moves along accordingly. This creates some challenges, but also some memorable moments. Morgan recalled a time when she was guiding the group through Cascade River State Park, and some individuals strayed from the plan. 

“Because of different hiking paces, the group naturally split into smaller groups and lost track of the leader and which trail to follow. Everyone figured out how to get back to the picnic area, but some had a much longer hike than others,” she recalled.

Mistakes like these misadventure moments create a learning opportunity for people and also offer a reminder of how supportive the group is of all participants. 

“We never allow someone to struggle on their own,” she says. “If abilities don’t match the difficulty level of the hike…we make sure they have someone hiking with them, encouraging them on.”

As Happy Hikers enters a new season and looks ahead to the future, their vision for the group is just to keep going and keep growing. 

“My hope is that this group will continue many years into the future, no matter who is leading,” said Morgan.

This team has built such a steady foundation and is so welcoming to all prospective participants that there is no reason to believe they won’t achieve their goals in the years to come. Happy Hikers is a great example of how people come together around a shared goal. Whether that is to meet new people, nurture friendships, challenge yourself physically, or just to get outside and enjoy nature, this group has something for you. 

To get involved, see the schedule below, or check for weekly hike announcements on WTIP Radio, the Cook County News Herald, or around town. 

For those interested in regular updates via email, contact [email protected] to be added to the mailing list.

2025 Schedule