Irvine resident Sangeetha Gopalakrishnan is an avid hiker, artist and outdoor enthusiast. In 2019, she founded a women’s outdoors group, which has since grown into a vibrant community of more than 1,000 members.
How many women join you for the hikes?
Day hikes are the most popular, and the average attendance is 12 to 15 people. We do everything from easy 3- to 5-mile hikes to tough 23-mile mountain hikes, like San Gorgonio. For multiday trips, I keep the group small with only six people. We also plan other activities like backpacking – I’m organizing a 12-day backpacking trip on the Tahoe Rim Trail this summer – camping, biking and paddleboarding.
Do you have favorite trails in the Irvine area?
A sunset hike up Turtle Rock Trail, where you can see as far as Catalina Island on a clear day. The Bommer Canyon hike, which takes you through beautiful native vegetation and has a challenging climb up to the ridge.
What excites you most about hiking?
I love the sense of wonder and wander that comes with it, along with the opportunity to unplug and the humbling realization of our nothingness as well as belonging in nature, both at the same time.
How does your art inform your hiking and vice versa?
Nature is the best source of inspiration, which is why art and hiking go hand in hand for me. The more I paint, the more I’m inspired to stay alert to interesting compositions and shapes on my hikes. It has taught me to pause, observe and feel more. I’ve started noticing subtle details and vibrant variations in colors, shapes and forms that I hadn’t seen before.
What are your goals for the group?
I want to keep investing my time to create events that help beginners experience nature. I was in those shoes once, and someone else showed me the way.
