Solemates,

Here are two hikes to help celebrate the upcoming holidays, get off the sofa, and make good use of some of the calories you enjoyed. It’s also a easy way to deal with pesky relatives: bring them along and walk faster or slower, or leave them at home.

We’re having a special Christmas Day hike on nearby Sugarloaf Mountain this coming Saturday, Dec 25 (of course). We’ve requested a chance of snow to make sure that the scenery is extra pretty and fitting for the season. It does mean that you will need to cover up a bit more and wear good hiking shoes (preferably boots). We’ll do the Northern Peaks Trail as part of a 5.5-mile circuit hike with 2,200 ft. of elev. change. (Rated 2 blisters, or easy/moderate). The hike includes winter views of Potomac Valley and the Catoctin Mountains (and ICC construction, unfortunately) with a detour to the summit. Don’t forget food. To carpool, we’ll meet at 10 am at the Grosvenor Metro Kiss and Ride. Leaders are Vicky Hsu and me.

Next week, we’ll have SCPRO’s 37^th Annual (!!) New Year’s Day Hike on Saturday, Jan 1 (of course). Start off the next year right with an up-to-10-mile stroll/walk (rated an easy up-to-2 blisters) along the C&O Canal. We’ll meet at 9:30 am on Wisconsin Ave at the canal, south of M St in Georgetown. You’ll walk upstream at your own pace to the Little Falls Pump Station and back; to shorten, just turn around sooner, but not too soon or you’ll get dizzy. Leashed dogs are OK to bring along. Leaders are Carol Ivory, Paul Elliott, and me. I don’t know about snow yet, but I’m working on it.

(Don’t worry. You won’t get another email reminder about the NY Day hike.)

Posted on Wandering Soles (Meetup): A dream hiking vacation Oct 26-30, 2011, (four nights) in the land of ten thousand hikes, the lower Hudson River Valley, at the peak of autumn colors. Email me if you can’t wait; places will go fast.

Pictures from our last hike: http://picasaweb.google.com/Michael.Darzi/AntietamNB#slideshow

With dozens of hikes, two four-day trips, and two backpacks, this year has been terrrrific. Thanks to all who helped make it so. I hope you were able to join some of the fun.

Best wishes to all for great holidays and great outdoor fun in 2011!

Mike