Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Hiking Association formed
Strap on your hiking boots. The founder of a new group called Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Hiking Association (YASHA) says she hopes members will step up to share some of their hidden gems in the region and help organize outings.
Patti Verran and her son Bradley became certified field leaders after participating in a course offered by Yarmouth Recreation last December.
Afterwards, when Verran’s research showed no hiking groups existed that included Yarmouth and Shelburne, she started YASHA to fill the gap and motivate herself to be more active.
“There seems to be well-established groups in Digby and the valley but not in our area,” she said.
Although she was planning on starting out slowly, the Facebook group she launched for the initiative quickly exceeded 150 members.
Meanwhile, to gain experience, she joined the Scotian Hiker (a provincial hiking group) on a couple of their hikes.
“I’ve been watching how they organize their events and now that I’ve gone to those locations I can take a group,” she said.
Her goal for the first season is to host one weekend day each month at different locations around Yarmouth.
For sunset hikes, she’s seeking locations that would give good sunset views for photographers.
Headlamps could also be available so nightfall wouldn’t hinder the hike.
YASHA partnered with the Friends of Ellenwood to hike Ellenwood Park during the blue moon event on Jan. 31 and 94 participated. Another full-moon hike is planned for Saturday, March 31.
April, May and June events are being finalized and there are plans to join Scotian Hiker for a few weekend day hikes.
On April 7 a hike from Bear Cove Patti Verran with her son Bradley and husband Gerry during a hike they took with friends in at the Clarence Lookoff in Bridgetown. Patti Verran is involved in the launch of a hiking group in the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores region.
monthly group walks in or near Digby County
to Mavillette is planned with details to be posted on the Facebook group.
Other hikes with Scotian Hiker will be Electric City, Keji Seaside and a weekend of waterfalls – dates to be announced.
Verran says she’d love to organize a big hike, possibly from Yarmouth to Digby.
She says logistics and a training YASHA tentative hike dates
- specific details will be on the YASHA FB group event once finalized.
Thursday, April 19 at Pubnico Point Trail
Thursday, May 17 (possibly Clare) Thursday, June 21 – Summer Solstice at Wedgeport Nature Trail schedule would have to be established first.
“I feel like we have these great rails-to-trails systems that could be used more,” she said.
She adds that hiking events could become a tourist attraction and small, seasonal businesses could cater to hikers and ATV groups along the trails. On Jan. 31 the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Hiking Association partnered with Friends of Ellenwood Park for a blue moon hike at the park. At least 90 hikers participated.