As warmer months are starting to approach, spending time outdoors is critical for not only our health or happiness, but also our understanding of the world around us. To feel the rocky textures beneath your feet as you progress up a mountain’s trail, simultaneously admiring the lush greenery around is a great way to experience screen-free fun. Our local community of Newbury Park has over 50 hiking trails and Thousand Oaks has more than 150 miles of trails waiting to be explored.
Ever since he was a child, Quentin Wurz, senior, has enjoyed spending time outside, especially going on hikes. Initially, Wurz would hike with his parents and younger sister, but now it is an activity he enjoys with his friends as well. “Having screen-free hobbies is important because it’s good for you and makes you happier. It connects me to my friends, beyond phones, because it gives an opportunity to go through challenges together and make memories,” Wurz said.
“Take it slow” is Valentina Flores’, senior, advice to new hikers. Flores accredits hiking to improving her navigation skills and appreciation for the world around her. “Hiking’s made an impact on my life because I appreciate nature and scenery more. Hiking has helped me to see what creation is and what beauty lies in our world. Respecting nature is important because nature does a lot for our lives. I believe that you should respect it, and especially, take care of it because without nature, we wouldn’t even be alive,” Flores said.
As a way to disconnect from the rampant nature of technology, Graham Poynter, senior, utilizes hiking to spend time with his friends without screens. Poynter has hiked in a multitude of states, his favorite hike being Mount Sneffels, which was 144,000 feet tall. “[In Southern California,] the weather’s always good. It’s never really cold. Hiking is good for athletics [and] it’s good to get outside,” Poynter said.
For the past 18 years, Wurz has lived in Newbury Park where he has spent countless days exploring and discovering the world around him through hiking. Wurz describes the local scenery of Newbury Park as “amazing.” “Some of my favorite places locally are the Los Robles trail and Boney Mountain. Others should start hiking because it’s just a great activity to do with friends and just a good hobby to have,” Wurz said.
Take a Hike- Quentin Wurz, senior, poses by a tree on a hike in Thousand Oaks. ‘I prefer on trail hikes most of the time because it’s the best way to see all the sights and be safe,” Wurz said.