July 31, 2024

For women in the DFW metroplex looking for outdoor activities as the weather cools, look no further, than Sisterhood Hikes and Such.

With nearly 5,000 Facebook followers and a hiking experience that emphasizes community, Sisterhood Hikes touts itself as a place for all women to feel safe while exercising and exploring nature.

Tamara Pickering launched the DFW-based group in May of 2021. She says that her motivation came from a desire to meet other women who were also interested in hiking. 

Tamara Pickering is the founder of Sisterhood Hikes and Such. Courtesy of Sisterhood Hikes.

“I’ve always hiked,” she explains. “I was just hiking more and more and I wanted to find some women to hike with.” 

Before the group's existence, Pickering searched Facebook groups to find a hiking community. She eventually joined DFW Hiking and Outdoors and attended some group hikes. Still wanting to find a space for women hikers, Pickering posted an all-women’s hike event on the group’s page.

Her hikes took off.  

“At first, I was taking a few ladies hiking at Eagle Mountain, and then 22 ladies off Facebook showed up,” Pickering said. 

Months following, more and more women came to these hikes. By the fifth month since Pickering’s first post in the Facebook group, Sisterhood Hikes was started. 

NATURE AND NURTURE

While Sisterhood Hikes focuses on hiking and occasionally other outdoor activities, an important aspect for Pickering is bonding with other women in nature. Sisterhood Hikes emphasizes the importance of the outdoors. 

“I needed to find women who wanted to be outside,” she explained, as she had always enjoyed the outdoors. 

In addition, the group also offered safety for Pickering, as she did not just hike locally but also traveled to state parks alone. 

Pickering described how the group has attracted other like-minded women. 

Sisterhood Hikes founder Tamara Pickering, far right in yellow cap, says the outdoors provides a more down-to-earth venue for women to meet in. Courtesy of Sisterhood Hikes.

“We’re all trying to find community and a deeper purpose,” she said. “There’s something about being in nature that brings renewal and clarity. I didn’t set out thinking about that. I was just looking for women to hike with.” 

As the group has continued to grow, Pickering said it was apparent that the group’s easy going camaraderie was just as important as the hiking component. 

Pickering understood the pressure women face in traditional meet-ups held at restaurants, bars and in conference rooms. Women are expected to dress nicely, wear make-up and present their best selves. She said this can create an “artificial environment.” With hiking, that pressure disappears and gives group members the chance to be their authentic selves, said Pickering.  

“What we’ve found with the hiking group, is women come to hike, but they come back for community.”

BRANCHING OUT

Today, the group has nearly 5,000 followers, with between 40 to 60 regular members attending their monthly hikes. 

Members must be 18 or older to join Sisterhood Hikes. Most group members' ages range from 35 to 50. The oldest member in the women’s group is 78. The oldest member of their co-ed hike, which Sisterhood Hikes hosts every other month, is 87. This elder hiker also happens to be Pickering’s father. 

In addition to the monthly hike, other hikes are held throughout the month.

As for location, Sisterhood Hikes moves around North Texas and they also visit state parks. 

“Our monthly hikes are all over the Metroplex and surrounding areas,” said Pickering. “And we take one or two road trips a year.” 

The group is currently planning to take a trip to Lost Maples State Natural Area in Bandera County. The group also frequents bike trails and nature preserves, such as Cedar Ridge Preserve, Grapevine Lake and the Fort Worth Nature Center. 

While the group is centered in North Texas, there is also a Central Texas branch of the group, located in Waco, led by Leslie Hawkins.  

Pickering explains how she often received messages inquiring about Sisterhood Hikes visiting Central Texas. On a Palo Duro Canyon trip, she met Hawkins, who now leads the chapter.

SETTING THE PACE

For their monthly hikes, members break into subgroups based on their walking pace. Courtesy of Sisterhood Hikes.

Within Sisterhood Hikes, there are subgroups to accommodate the abilities of each walker. 

“They’re based upon people’s pace,” said Pickering. 

The subgroups are designated 1 through 4, with the fastest, most athletic hikers, making up Group 1.  Many of them are runners, although they don’t run on the hikes. 

“Group 2 is right on their tail,” she went on to explain.

However, the bulk of the members are in Group 3, which moves at a more moderate pace. 

Group 4 is for those moving at the slowest pace and want to take more photos. It’s a good group for first-time hikers, women with injuries or joint issues and those who have not done cardio exercise in awhile. Group 4 members are encouraged to bring hiking poles.

LEAVE NO TRACE

When hiking with Sisterhood Hikes, there are certain rules followed to ensure the experience is good for everyone. In addition, a waiver must be signed. 

“We do follow what’s called ‘Leave No Trace’ policy principles,” Pickering said. “It’s about not leaving a trace. Whatever you pack in, you pack out.” 

The Leave No Trace principles are a set of principles followed when partaking in outdoor activities. At its core, it’s about respecting and caring for the nature being utilized.

Sisterhood Hikes and Such also certifies members in the Leave No Trace Principles for free, in partnership with the group Explore More.

Sisterhood Hikes has the most certified members in DFW. 

HOW TO CONNECT

While hiking is the group's core activity, they occasionally branch into other outdoor activities, such as paddleboarding, kayaking and roller skating. The key is that all activities hosted by the group must be active activities.

For those interested in joining, check out their Facebook and website to stay informed on hikes and other events.

A Coed Hike will be held Aug. 3 at 8 a.m. at Eisenhower State Park. The next Women’s Hike will be held Aug. 10 at 8 a.m. at Rockledge Park at Lake Grapevine.

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