When Arizona transplant John Nuerenberg relocated to the Pacific Northwest, he was immediately welcomed into a little-known Peninsula gem: the Port Ludlow Hiking Club.

“It’s open to anybody who wants to hike,” he said in a recent conversation about the informal club. “There is no president,” he added, but they're between 15 and 20 members.

As a recent addition – Nuerenberg has been on board for about a year, he said, his position is an unofficial scribe for the group. He manages bi-weekly emails about upcoming hikes; visitors and locals can sign up on the hiking club’s website.

“We moved here a year ago from Arizona to Port Ludlow,” Nuerenberg said of he and his wife. “We had a real large hiking club in Surprise, Arizona.” Before settling on Ludlow, as the locals call it, the couple owned a cabin in Brinnon.

“We’re very familiar with the hiking in the area,” Nuerenberg said. So it seemed natural, then, that he and his wife offered to guide some of the club’s treks.

The club focuses on day hikes, Nuerenberg said, although sometimes multi-day excursions are planned to explore areas farther away.

“Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula” by Craig Romano is the source for many of the club’s most popular hikes. Would-be hikers can check out webmaster John Filler’s beautiful nature photography on the club’s site, a preview of what each location can offer.

“One of our favorites is Lena Lake,” he said, the lower trail being an easy route, but by taking the upper trail, one could add eight miles to create a 14-mile hike.

The club takes “lots of hikes in the Hurricane Ridge area,” he said, noting the 360 degree views.

“We’re looking at primarily trials that are not too far away.” Hikers meet every other Friday at 8:15 a.m. at the Bridge Deck parking lot in Port Ludlow. Car pooling and community lunches are popular, pandemic permitting.

Nuerenberg said hikers should bring a backpack, first aid kit, food, water, trekking poles, and wear good shoes for hiking in slippery conditions. Even though the Pacific Northwest is often lush and green, you can still get dehydrated, he warned.

Most group hikes have a leader, and a sweep, who follows behind to make sure everyone and everything is accounted for. Pets are welcomed in places where animals are permitted. Around 10 to 12 people usually show up on a given Friday hike day.

“It’d be nice to have more leaders,” Nuerenberg said, and so far the club has expanded mostly through word of mouth and by advertising locally.

Whether you live nearby, or are in town for the weekend, the Port Ludlow Hiking Club is a great place to meet new faces, get some exercise, and explore the Peninsula. See the Spring 2022 hike schedule and more at portludlowhikingclub.com.