HIKING & WALKING GROUPS (We have two groups!)

Wednesday and Friday Hikes - “Hikers in the Woods”
Leaders: Bill Blaufuss, Dave Bue, Mike Johnston, Michael Hehenberger, Sal Mollica, Baxter Urist, William Weiss
Email Bill Blaufuss at: 

All 7 Days of the Week - Walkers
Leader:  Mike Boyle
Email Mike at:

With over 75 men on our email list, Hiking and Walking are among the most popular Y’s Men activities. We have groups that hike in the woods/trails on Wednesdays and Fridays with levels of difficulty to suit everyone. We also have “perambulators” who meet seven days a week to walk various locations around Westport/Weston.

We welcome all Y’s Men.

Pandemic Hiking Rules

• During pandemic conditions we observe appropriate protocols
• Do not come if you feel bad in any way (cough, fever, bronchial congestion, the odd ache or pain, fatigue, loss of sense of taste or smell, or whatever)
• Wait two weeks if you or anybody in your home has had contact with a person who was, may have been, or became ill; if you or anyone in your home recently returned from an area of heightened Covid-19 activity; or if anyone in your family has recently been involved in a crowd situation
• Please bring a mask to use for gatherings at the beginning and end of the hike but also for whenever we might congregate during the hike
• Keep appropriate social distance from your fellow Y’s Men and others before, during and after the hike
• If you need to cough or sneeze, do so into the crook of your arm, facing away from others and bent to direct the cough or sneeze towards the ground
• No hugs, handshakes, fist bumps or the like, avoid talking face-to-face
• Bring Purell or other hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol if you have it
• If you begin to feel ill on the hike, someone will walk you back to the car

General Hiking Guidelines

Wear proper shoes. Bring water. Dehydration can be a problem. Use hiking sticks if you feel more secure with them. Branches, roots, steep declines, ice, wet slippery surfaces, and inattention can quickly lead to a fall. We frequently hike outside the range of cell phones and carry no medical supplies or equipment beyond handling cuts and scrapes. Be aware of the risks and your own limitations and take proper precautions.

Hikers vs. Walkers/Perambulators

Hikers in the Woods – Wednesday and Friday mornings – We generally go to beautiful state parks and hike in the woods.

Wednesday hikes cover 3-5 miles and generally take 2 hours. Friday hikes cover up to 5-7 miles of a duration up to 2-1/2 to 3 hours. The Friday hikes tend to have some more challenging ascents and descents, although some Wednesday hikes have their challenges. We hike in Trout Brook Valley, Devil's Den, Collis P. Huntington State Park, and other locations. We tend to be a talkative bunch.

We hike a different location every time we go out. Notifications of location and meeting time are sent by email a day or two beforehand. If you want to join the email list for notifications, please contact Bill Blaufuss.

On most Wednesdays, the Hikers-in-the-Woods and the Perambulators meet up afterwards at a restaurant for lunch and a cup of cheer. 

Perambulators -  (A BRITISH EXPRESSION: Persons who walks, especially for pleasure and in a leisurely way.)
Perambulator walks are generally on level ground. Every day of the week we meet at specific locations to walk together. Just show up and meet other Y’s Men perambulators. Put your own small group together and saunter for an hour + walk. The objectives are good cheer, active conversation and a restful walk in the outdoors. No announcements are made for these outings, but they do happen every day of the week. If there is threatening weather, you make your own decision if you want to walk. For more information or you want updates please contact Mike Boyle. 

Below are the daily times and meeting places for the Perambulators walks:  Please also check the calendar of events for updates.

Once again, the leaders for the Hiking and Walking are listed below. Please feel free to contact us to join our outings.

Bill Blaufuss: Wednesday and Friday Hikes - “Hikers in the Woods”
Email:

Mike Boyle: 7 Days a Week - “Perambulators”
Email:

 "The Y's Men's hiking group enjoy a scenic rest during their hike"

"The Y's Men's at Putnam Memorial Park's Musem" 

Below: Walk through Norwalk's Calf Pasture Beach