
Welcome to Coach Ron Gunn's Hiking Adventure Tours
"Showing really cool people the world."
"A pub at the end of every wilderness hike."
"We don't sleep on the ground."

"Showing really cool people the world."
"A pub at the end of every wilderness hike."
"We don't sleep on the ground."

NEW YEARS DAY 2026 Aloha Fantasy Run/Hike
For 46 years Coach Ron Gunn has hosted this event to start the new year on a fitness note. He's always promoted an active lifestyle and encouraged an adventuresome spirit to see the world. Join us New Year's Day for a run or walk and join us for fellowship at a potluck luncheon. We thank Ray and staff at Dowagiac Elks for hosting.
Coach Gunn's hike training program requires membership FEB-AUG.
Each year's training program is designed for the most challenging hike on the Fall trip. Details for training hikes are announced in a bi-weekly newsletter. Register now as a Training Partner to participate in local hikes after February (no registration required OCT-JAN). Pay the $100 annual fee before Feb 1 to stay on the list for training hike newsletters.
TRAINING PARTNER UPDATE: 99 registered as of 22 DEC 2025
DATE CHANGE 23DEC
Best of Washington State hiking tours SEP 5-16 & SEP 19-30, 2026:
Step 1 is above. Only Training Partners can register for this hiking tour and will be the first informed ahead of a general announcement.
Step 2 is registration, this gets you on the trip list.
Step 3 is your non-refundable deposit to cover airfare. When you are ready to commit pay your deposit. This locks in your spot and seniority date. Once airline tickets are purchased there can be no refund of deposits. Please consider trip insurance.
Why the new trip registration procedure? It's intended to eliminate confusion, and be concise. This should reduce Coach's risk and offer you some choices. Tim and Thom have developed this new procedure with Coach Gunn's blessing. Coach will focus on trip details and Tim and Thom hope to make the registration process clear and avoid past issues. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Please call Thom with any questions. 269.462.0683.
REQUIRED FOR ALL HIKERS
[After registration look for your name on the Training Partner log sheet at the hikes.]
Training Partner is the designation for those doing local hikes only. And it is required for hiking tour team members.
For local hikes only, this is the only requirement:
Register and pay the $100 annual fee.
Whether you live near or far, Coach Gunn is your coach. Call him and he will coach you. 574.215.4779
For hiking tour members it is Step 1 of 4.
STEP 2, REGISTRATION
NOT OPEN YET
ONLY TRAINING PARTNER'S CAN REGISTER FOR THIS HIKING TOUR.
Hopefully, sometime in December you will be invited ro register. Registration gets you on the mailing list.
Coach is working on the itinerary. When we can estimate the trip cost we will open registration and for deposits. (a high estimate at this time is $3.500).
Training Partners will be informed when registration opens. Register when interested and pay the deposit to lock in your spot on a trip.
[A registration button will appear below when this trip is open for registration.]
LOCK IN YOUR SPOT
and Seniority Date
Step 3 is your deposit to cover non-refundable airfare. Pay your deposit to commit to this trip - this deposit is non-refundable once airline tickets are purchased. The airfare class you choose will determine your deposit amount. We will purchase the class of ticket you select. We hope this benefits all concerned and is a win-win solution.
[Purchase of non-refundable group tickets will happen when there are 50 deposits or in March if 40 or more for each trip.]
LAST STEP
As soon as the final trip price is determined you will be billed for your balance.
Hopefully, this will be less than the target price. Payment is due before July 15 and non-refundable after that date.
Coach Gunn advises protecting your investment with trip insurance as soon as you pay your deposit.
[A Way To Pay button will appear below when this step is open.]
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
and the only sure way to get a refund.
Life happens!
We can't simply recommend one insurance plan or company, since one size does not fit all. We can tell you that we have had many who had to use it and some who wished they had gotten it.
To assist you making an informed purchase of Trip Insurance we have provided a page with links to sites that explain, recommend, and/or sell insurance.
[Note the requirements and timeline for purchase and reporting. Some are within 30 days of deposit.]

There's much to see on this website.
Coach Gunn has conducted over 28 hiking tours since 2006 including to 20 National Parks, 15 US states and 4 countries. His may be the only hiking tour that includes an 8 month training program with lectures and bi-weekly hikes.
We urge you to on hiking to see the world's wonders.
ADVENTURE HIKES
"We don't sleep on the ground and there's a pub at the end of every wilderness trail." Coach Gunn
All training and destinations include all hike abilities from novice to extreme. Every destination has one extreme hike that takes eight months of marathon-like training to prepare for. An extreme hike is not for everyone, bu
ADVENTURE HIKES
"We don't sleep on the ground and there's a pub at the end of every wilderness trail." Coach Gunn
All training and destinations include all hike abilities from novice to extreme. Every destination has one extreme hike that takes eight months of marathon-like training to prepare for. An extreme hike is not for everyone, but is very rewarding for those that do them. Most of our hikers will train for modest goals by comparison. We are not a competitive group - we celebrate everyone's personal best.
SCROLL DOWN
to get on our Keep Informed list
and for contact information.
Since 2004 Coach Gunn has taken hiking groups to Grand Canyon 12 times, to Pacific Northwest three times, Northern California, Boston-Cape Cod, Utah, Hawaii, Italy, Scotland, Spain
and New Zealand.
2024 & 25 - Best of Scotland II
Adventure hikes at incredible destinations: We usually travel in Fall; September-October. Hike training begins in January.
Hike with us in 2026: Join as a 2026 Training Partner (Local Hikes only).
Bi-weekly trail hikes are progressively longer and at interesting local venues. Training begins with a half hour lecture before many hikes
Adventure hikes at incredible destinations: We usually travel in Fall; September-October. Hike training begins in January.
Hike with us in 2026: Join as a 2026 Training Partner (Local Hikes only).
Bi-weekly trail hikes are progressively longer and at interesting local venues. Training begins with a half hour lecture before many hikes. This is a training program to prepare our travelers to get the most from each travel destination!
The 2026 travel destination is under consideration. Coach Gunn's health limits his mobility. He is considering what is possible and reasonable to do.
[Find the 2025 Schedule on the
NEWSLETTERS page.
The 2026 schedule is not out yet.]
Do you want to stay informed of Coach Gunn's activities?
Do you have a question?
Fill the above form and we will get back to you soon.
Fire Up!
Coach Ron Gunn
Your coach, your travel guide and founder of Cairn Stone Adventure Tours.
or
574-215-4779
Thom Janssen
Fellow hiker, webmaster and record keeper assisting Coach Gunn.
269-462-0683
Tim Calhoun
Fellow hiker and accounting volunteer
OR
Accounting@CairnStoneTours.com
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