And I just noticed today’s date: February 14, 2026.

I’ve learned that there are all kinds of love in this world, and the love of a hiker for the trail ranks right up there on my list!

Sure, the trail puts you through some changes and might break your heart now and again, but it’s always there, waiting for you to return. True love or what?!

Enough mushy talk. Let’s dig into the lovely hiking news I’ve got lined up for you.

SPEAKING OF CHANGES

This month I share some hard won and honest tips and trail wisdom for older hikers in 4 big categories: health, humor, heart and head.

Plus some self care tips!

Tips for older hikers

Hiker self care

And just for fun, here’s an article about 2 self described "old timers" who get real about the demands of a segment of the Pacific Crest Trail when they revisit it in later life:

How far did they get?

HIKERS LOVE TO STICK TOGETHER

Do you select a hiking stick to keep you company, and then leave it behind at the trailhead for the next hiker?

Then you’re gonna love this story about online stick reviews.

You can post your own pics, rate a stick according to its bending, curvature and whacking (scale 1 – 10), and enter the Stick of the Month tournament.

For real!!! Wish I had thought of this…

Hiking stick reviews

AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT IN 2026

I recently discovered a new fact about the Kuhl company: they published the results of a survey on which National Parks are most likely to disappoint visitors. Kind of a new twist on things, no?

The technical title is “National Parks "Paris Syndrome" Report 2026”, and you can use the following link to see which parks disappointed visitors, and why.

You can also see which parks exceeded expectations! Useful tidbits to know if you’re planning a 2026 Parks trip.

P.S. It also explains what Paris Syndrome is. It was a new one on me.

National Parks: disappointment or wow?

BACKCOUNTRY CLOSEOUT SALE

Here's a money saving tip: If you need gear or clothing to round out your lists, now is the time to look at Backcountry’s end of season sale, running 2/14 – 2/16.

For three days only it’s possible to save up to 70% off on all the trusted brands.

Grab your size and color preferences early, as things move fast at Backcountry.

2026 Closeout Sale

INSPIRING FEMALE HIKER OF THE MONTH

What shook me out of my trail induced trance?

Goats, three very tall and strong looking goats, walking toward me behind a very tall man wearing a baby backpack. (So tall, in fact, that I could not see the baby. I'm assuming there was one!)

The goats and I had to pass shoulder to shoulder on the narrow trail. Have you ever stared into the face of a goat? Wow, they are intense at the "who will blink first" game!

Pretty impressive horns, too.

And they definitely don't yield the trail to humans.

Of course I had to ask, and the answer was these particular goats were in training to carry packs on future hikes.

So now I'm asking you: Am I behind the times here?

I've seen pack horses/burros/donkeys/mules, guided llama hikes, dogs carrying any number of things including their own backpacks, two separate sightings of hiking cats on leashes, but never goats.

When I got home, I discovered (via the magic of electrons) that you can indeed take guided goat hikes if you so desire.

And I think a woman named Tara deserves this month's inspiring hiker award because she provides detailed bios & pics of the goats she uses to carry hiking gear!

It's clear she loves her goats :)

Goats Who Hike

Just to be clear, these are mostly well behaved domesticated goats, not alpine feral goats that you definitely need to avoid on a hike.

I've learned the hard way that mountain goats can be big trouble. Read how to keep yourself safe:

Mountain goats and hikers

You made it!

But just for this month. See you soon with more hiking news!

Diane a.k.a. Happy Hiker Who Learns New Things

diane@hiking-for-her.com

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