About us
# 🌈 Welcome to Pride Pathfinders! 🌿🥾
Hello! Jackie here!
As we begin to wrap up 2026, I want to take a moment to celebrate the connections, adventures, and community we've been building together through Pride Pathfinders!
This year has been about so much more than hiking. We've explored beautiful trails, shared conversations and laughter, gathered for social events, and enjoyed some wonderful discussions through our book club. Most importantly, we've created opportunities for LGBTQIA+ folx and our allies to connect, build friendships, and experience a genuine sense of belonging.
I'm grateful to everyone who has joined us, whether for one event or many. You are what makes this community special! 💚
### 🌿 Looking Ahead to 2027
I'm excited about what 2027 will bring! My goal is to host two events each month, offering a mix of hikes, outdoor adventures, book clubs, and social gatherings. Life and schedules may occasionally get in the way, but the intention is to keep creating opportunities for us to come together, explore new places, and strengthen our connections.
I'd also love to hear your ideas for future adventures and gatherings. After all, this is our community!
### 🥾 What We're All About
Pride Pathfinders was created to bring the LGBTQIA+ community and folx who value inclusion together to enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Western Connecticut while building genuine, fun, and meaningful connections.
Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming, supportive, and judgment-free space for people of all backgrounds, identities, body types, ages, and fitness levels.
Our hikes are about connection, not competition! The pace will always be set by the slowest hiker (and that may very well be me!). Whether you're looking to get moving again, build confidence, explore nature, make new friends, or simply enjoy good company, there's a place for you here.
Our hikes typically range from 3–4 hours, with trails varying from easy to moderately challenging. If you're a very fast or advanced hiker looking for a strenuous workout, we may not be your ideal group. But if you enjoy a comfortable, inclusive pace, good conversation, and a few laughs along the way, we'd love to have you!
### 💚 A Little About Me
After living in the Boston area for more than 30 years, I made Litchfield, Connecticut, my home in October 2020. I've always appreciated the outdoors, but I've learned that I'm far more motivated and consistent when I'm exploring with others.
Creating Pride Pathfinders has been both a personal commitment to staying active and a way to help build the kind of community I value — one grounded in kindness, inclusion, authenticity, and connection.
### 💚 Supporting Our Community
Maintaining this Meetup group comes with an annual cost of approximately $560. I do not require membership fees because I want this group to remain accessible to everyone. However, voluntary contributions are always appreciated to help offset these expenses.
Suggested contributions:
- $15 annually, or
- $3 per event
Contributions can be made in cash at an event or through Venmo at @Jacqueline-Ross-39.
Whether or not you contribute financially, you are always welcome!
### 🌈 Here's to 2027!
My hope is that we continue to grow not just in numbers, but in friendships, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging.
More trails to explore. More books to discuss. More laughter to share. More friendships to build.
Thank you for being part of Pride Pathfinders. I look forward to seeing familiar faces, welcoming new ones, and discovering what adventures 2027 has in store for us!
Be well, keep exploring, and I'll see you out there! 🌿🌈🥾
Jackie
Upcoming events
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Pride Pathfinders Hike – George Waldo State Park Loop (2.7 Miles)
George C Waldo State Park, 457 Purchase Brook Rd, Southbury, CT 06488, USA, Southbury, CT, USHello from Jackie!
Join us on Sunday, December 27th, at 10:00 AM for our final hiking adventure of 2026! We will be exploring the George Waldo State Park Loop, a beautiful 2.7-mile trail in Southbury, Connecticut.
This scenic loop offers beautiful views of Lake Lillinonah, peaceful wooded surroundings, and fun, winding paths through the forest. The trails are generally well-maintained, with some gentle slopes, uneven terrain, and occasional fallen trees to navigate. It's a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature, get some exercise, and connect with some fabulous folx!
While this is a relatively short hike, there may be some hills, roots, rocks, and other natural obstacles along the way. We recommend using AllTrails for navigation, as some trail intersections may be a little confusing.
What better way to wrap up 2026 than spending time outdoors, enjoying some fresh air, and making meaningful connections!
A Few Important Things About This Hike
Our group typically travels at a relaxed pace of approximately one mile per hour, so we anticipate this 2.7-mile loop will take us approximately 3 hours, allowing time for breaks, photographs, and enjoying the scenery. Please plan accordingly.
While we always set our pace based on our slowest hiker (which will probably be me!), please make sure you are physically prepared to hike on uneven wooded terrain and navigate some hills and obstacles.
Remember, this isn't a race! Our goal is to get outdoors, enjoy some forest bathing, build our confidence, increase our fitness, and make new connections.
And, of course, my dog Lucy may have an entirely different plan. She firmly believes she should always be leading the pack!
Meeting Location and Parking
George Waldo State Park
Purchase Brook Road
Southbury, CT 06488
We will meet at the park entrance parking area on Purchase Brook Road.
Google Maps – George Waldo State Park
Please note that parking is limited, so carpooling is strongly encouraged!
We will meet at 10:00 AM sharp and plan to head out no later than 10:10 AM. Please arrive a few minutes early so we can get organized.
What to Bring
A former colleague once said to me, "Jackie, there is no such thing as bad weather, there is only inappropriate clothing."
And you know what? They were right!
December hiking in Connecticut can be beautiful, but temperatures can be cold, and trail conditions can change quickly. Please dress appropriately and come prepared.
Recommended items include:- Sturdy hiking boots with good traction
- Warm layers and weather-appropriate clothing
- Hat and gloves
- Plenty of drinking water
- High-energy snacks to nourish you throughout our hike
- Extra socks
- Small backpack
- Personal first aid supplies and any necessary medications
- Hiking poles, if helpful
- Fully charged cell phone
- AllTrails app with the route downloaded for offline navigation
- Traction devices if icy conditions are present
You can also check out this helpful Winter Hiking Gear Guide.
Please bring enough water and snacks. Even on a shorter winter hike, staying hydrated and fueled is important!
Weather and Trail Conditions
Safety comes first! Since this is a late-December hike, we will monitor weather and trail conditions. If there is significant snow, ice, or unsafe weather, we may need to modify or reschedule our adventure.
We will also be mindful of the shorter daylight hours and plan to finish well before sunset.
Pets
Friendly dogs are welcome as long as they remain leashed and you take full responsibility for them. I will likely bring Lucy, who is friendly, enthusiastic, and convinced that she is our official trail guide!
Most Importantly
Please bring your good energy, positive attitude, and sense of adventure!
I know we all work hard, and sometimes we simply need an opportunity to unplug, decompress, enjoy a little forest bathing, and connect with others.
I have always had one rule when running or hiking: "No complaining until I'm done!"
Once I finish, I can B**** and complain all I want! But here's the funny thing: I'm usually so happy and proud to have finished that I have absolutely nothing to complain about!
So, if you could adopt that same rule, that would be FabUlous!
As we close out 2026, let's take some time to appreciate where we've been, celebrate what we've accomplished, and look forward to the possibilities that 2027 will bring.
Whether you've hiked with us before or this is your first adventure, you are welcome!
Let's finish 2026 feeling strong, connected, grateful, and ready for whatever adventures lie ahead!
Looking forward to seeing everyone on the trail!
Be well,
Jackie 🐾4 attendees
Past events
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