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First impressions

For many, the fall semester Be Involved Fair was their gateway to the UCHC. For Isa Sarralde, a chemical and biological engineering student, the club felt like an instant fit: “I first heard about the Hiking Club my freshman year through the fair and joined immediately.” Bekah Cook, a biological engineering major, had a similar experience, noting, “As a transfer student I was trying to be as involved as possible.”

There one thing all members could agree on: A club with a connection to the outdoors was the most enticing option.��

Ava Towle, double majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology and geography, originally from the East Coast, said, “I was driven to come to CU for the opportunity to be outside as much as possible.” Andrew Senior, a student in molecular, cellular developmental biology, dove in after researching CU outdoor groups: “I really always hiked, so I never had any intention of not joining the Hiking Club.”

Building community

What keeps members coming back after that first hike is the sense of community. For many members, the feeling of belonging, meeting new people and developing lifelong friendships are grounding features of the Hiking Club.

For Elizabeth Rutledge, an ecology and evolutionary biology student, the club “offers an escape from the stress of school,” making CU seem smaller and friendlier.��

Senior believes two main reasons keep the club going, the first simply being: “People like hiking.” But the second resonated deeply: “We have a really great community of people who are constantly encouraging new members to join.”

Signing up for that first hike can be intimidating, especially for those unfamiliar with hiking, new to the Rocky Mountain region or joining the club solo. Towle, a tri-executive of the club, emphasizes inclusivity: “Your first hike is basically just hanging out with a new group of friends somewhere cool. It one of our main goals as officers to be inclusive, to talk to everyone, to respect people abilities and provide trips that are accessible to everyone.”

Bailey Binder, a neuroscience major, agreed, encouraging anyone on the fence about joining the club by saying, “All the officers are amazing and caring, and you’ll definitely find someone interesting to talk to on the hike!”

Exploring Boulder and beyond

When it comes to planning escapades, the UCHC runs the gamut. Modular difficulty levels, longevity, seasonality and other variables ensure there is at least one hike option for everyone. When asked for their thoughts on the most iconic UCHC hike, the members’ responses varied from the Flatirons to Moab to Great Sand Dunes National Park and more.

Sara Muderick, double majoring in communication and psychology, said, “During my first week of freshman year, I signed up for a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, and it ended up being one of the most affirming experiences of my life.”��

“I think Dream Lake (located in Rocky Mountain National Park) is such an iconic view that everyone needs to see at some point,” Binder added.

Each spring, the UCHC takes a trip to southern Utah, where they celebrate the end of the school year. Rutledge said, “It such a different world out there and the highlight of my semester always.” Nearly all members agreed—those trips help create some of their most cherished memories of their time at CU.

“My friend and I got thrown into a tent together, and I remember we wanted to do an optional sunrise hike but slept through it because we were talking so late into the night,” Sarralde laughed.��

Those funny stories, those connections and sense of belonging are what make the exploration special. “For me it epitomizes the club and everything I love the most about it,” said Senior.

Contributing to a legacy

According to Binder, “When I hear ‘CU longest-running student organization,’ I feel a sense of pride that I get to be a part of it.”��

“It really is an honor to be a part of something that is so fundamentally CU and has been for over 100 years. To have led and carried on a 100-plus year legacy is one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done,” said Muderick.

But what makes a club last for over a century, even as a campus culture changes? Rutledge said, “People love for the outdoors never really changes. Especially in a place like Boulder, where we are surrounded by so much natural beauty, students naturally want to get outside and explore it.” Cook added a more personal note, saying, “Joining is genuinely one of the best decisions of my life because of the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had thanks to Hiking Club.”

From sunrise hikes to lifelong friendships, the CU Hiking Club is more than a student organization—it a centuries-old tradition. As Muderick said, “There is no better way to get to know somebody than through hiking.”

Ready to join next fall? The trails, the friends and the legacy will be waiting for you.