These Boots are Made for Hiking...

We are midway through a busy summer, full of activities and energy. Let us take one evening to pause, reset and invite calm into our lives.

Join me for a serene chakra healing session using singing bowls—a spiritual journey designed to balance your energy, cultivate deep relaxation and guide you into peaceful meditation thereafter.

Whether this is your first time or you have experienced chakra healing before, this gentle, restorative practice realigns your mind, body and spirit.

I would love to share this intimate experience with a small group of friends in a cozy, welcoming setting. We will start with a brief introduction to the history of singing bowls before exploring chakra alignment through the harmonious sounds tuned to each energy center. Singing bowls have long been used by musicians, sound healers and yoga practitioners to support therapy and meditation. During the session, you will have the chance to place your hands on the bowls, feeling their rich vibrations and letting the resonance connect you to your inner self. We will take turns to give and receive the healing energy then finish with a guided meditation enhanced by the soothing tones of the bowls.

Please note, this event is focused on chakra healing rather than a traditional sound bath—they share similarities but offer distinct experiences.

Come experience a magical evening of healing and restoration. This won’t just stir your mind, but gently open your heart. Be part of this journey, discover your inner voice and emerge feeling refreshed and renewed.

The event will be held in a private residence near South Natomas. Space is limited to 10 participants, with five sets of bowls to “give and receive” healing energy. To reserve your spot and ensure you have a singing bowl to work with, please honor your RSVP.

The exact address will be shared 36 hours before the event with those who RSVP. Let’s come together to welcome renewal this summer with calm and connection. Reserve time for traffic and please arrive on time. It is okay to be early rather than tardy.

We'll meet at Rossmoor and Ambassador Drives at the Rossmoor Bar park entrance sign by the yellow gate, parking is free. We'll be walking on a mix of asphalt and dirt trails for 1.5 hours (3.25-4 mi). Meet for summer hours at 7am (June thru September), the rest of the year 8am. We depart promptly at 7:05 or 8:05 am all year round, rain or shine. It's mainly flat, we go the pace of the group. We alternate the route each time between heading toward El Manto or River Bend Park just to spice it up a bit. We see wildlife, go along the river (and sometimes in it) and enjoy conversation. Many don't sign up so expect 3-7 attendees most days. Dogs are welcomed, we have 2 regular fuzz faces. It is recommended you wear long sleeves and pants as we sometimes go thru stickers, shoe gaiters are helpful. There is always a bathroom stop if needed. Bring water, a hat, rain gear, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and a snack if needed.

Start time is 7:30 am and we are typically done around 9:30 am.

Starting at the end of the parking lot, we go on the paved trails eastward to coyote pond, around the pond and back the same trail. The walk is at a decent pace, about 4.8 miles in about 1hr and 30 minutes. We usually take a small (10-15 minute) break by the pond. Elevation gain is about 141 feet (on the way to the pond).

SUMMARY
On this hike near Silver Lake in the high Sierras and El Dorado Forest, we will hike to and from Amy Lake, Granite Lake, and Hidden Lake via Minkalo and Granite Lake Trails through granite rocky terrain and pine forest for about 7 miles with a cumulative elevation gain of about 700 feet.

MEETING PLACES AND TIMES
For carpooling, meet 7:30am at Iron Point Park and Ride next to light rail station and below the former McDonald's vacant building in Folsom, and the address is 150 Iron Point Rd, Folsom, CA 95630. Please pay carpool driver the current price of gas per gallon.

For those meeting directly at the trailhead, meet 9:30am at the Granite Lake Trailhead on Kit Carson Rd, and the address is 45991 Kit Carson Rd, Pioneer, CA 95666. One of Google GPS coordinators for locating the trailhead is 38.659979,-120.109531.

HIKING INFORMATION AND ESSENTIALS
DIFFICULTY: Moderate due to high altitude, distance, and some hills.

DISTANCE: About 7 miles.

ELEVATION: About 700 feet overall or comulative.

ROUTE: Start at Granite Lake Trailhead, then hike on Minkalo and Granite Lake Trail for about .6 mile, then turn right and hike on the Minkalo Trail for about .3 mile, then turn left and hike on the Granite Lake Trail (Briefly visit and view Amy Lake to the left along the way) for about .4 mile, then turn right and hike on the Granite Lake and Hidden Lake Trail or trail number 17E23 (Briefly visit and view Granite Lake to the left along the way) for about .9 mile, then keep to the left and hike on the Granite Hidden Lake Trail or trail number 17E23 for about .3 mile, then continue straight and hike on the Granite Hidden Lake Trail or trail number 17E23 for about .9 mile, then turn left and hike a very short distance to visit, have lunch, and view Hidden Lake. After spending some time at Hidden Lake, hike on Granite Hidden Lake Trail or trail number 17E23 for about .9 mile, then keep to the right and hike on Granite Hidden Lake Trail for about .3 mile, then continue straight and hike on the Granite Hidden Lake Trail or trail number 17E23 (Granite Lake to the right along the way) for about .9 mile, then turn left and hike on Granite Lake Trail for about .4 mile, then turn right and hike on the Minkalo Trail for about .3 mile, then turn left and hike on Granite Lake Trail for .6 mile back to the starting point. If possible, I recommend downloading an Alltrails or Gaia maps app to help stay on trails and from getting lost.
DOG ALLOWED: Yes, and I recommend them being on a leash.

ESSENTIALS: Bring water, snacks/small lunch, hiking shoes/boots, hiking poles if needed, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, etc), first aid kit, insect repellent spray, cell phones in case of emergencies, etc.

REFERENCE:
Granite & Hidden Lakes Trail on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/granite-hidden-lakes-trail?sh=g1vtyg&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

Information about practicing leave no trace principles can be found on the following link;
https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/