Inspired by Dogen's Mountains and Rivers Sutra (Sansuikyo), this retreat includes silent backpacking through a beautiful old growth hemlock forest to a seldom-visited base camp at Mazama Park, just south of Mount Baker at the foot of Park Butte. Activities include traditional Zen practice, a short solo exercise, and opportunities for day hiking. The retreat is appropriate for new meditators and beginning backpackers.

The retreat is led by Reizan Bob Penny, M.S., naturalist, senior Zen student and experiential educator. Hiking is gentle to moderate, seven one way. A sturdy three-sided shelter is available for meditation if the weather is bad.

Participants provide their own lunches and trail snacks. Limited to 8 participants.

For any questions, please call Bob Penny at bobp@nas.com or (360) 398-8834.

Cost includes breakfasts, dinners and trail parking passes and pre-registration is now requested via the website or mail on the hiking retreat.

Registration this year will be done through the regular Red Cedar Zen registration system. Registration will open in July.

Note that first night is at Hawk Meadow Farm in Bellingham and the Red Cedar Zen Sangha is invited to join for an evening of practice to see the hiker's off. 7pm to 9pm, 1102 E. Kelly Road.

Mountains & Rivers Photo Essay

Another Step on the Journey, dharma talk from Nomon Tim Burnett on the night before the 2003 hiking retreat