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Welcome to Coach Ron Gunn's Hiking Adventure Tours

Welcome to Coach Ron Gunn's Hiking Adventure ToursWelcome to Coach Ron Gunn's Hiking Adventure ToursWelcome 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." 

2026 HIKING TOUR
CONTACT US

HIKING SEASONS (OCT-JAN-OPEN, FEB-AUG-MEMBERSHIP RQD)

NEXT EVENT

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.

ALOHA RUN/HIKE

MAPS TO HIKE TRAINING LOCATIONS

Links to driving maps for training hike locations.

DRIVING MAPS

2026 HIKE TRAINING SEASON JAN-AUG

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.

NEW REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

NEW IN 2026: TRIP REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

WHY?

STEP 1 HIKE TRAINING PROGRAM

STEP 1 HIKE TRAINING PROGRAM

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.

ABOUT THIS HIKING TOUR

STEP 1 HIKE TRAINING PROGRAM

STEP 1 HIKE TRAINING PROGRAM

STEP 1 HIKE TRAINING PROGRAM

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.


WAYS TO PAY

STEP 2 TRIP REGISTRATION

STEP 1 HIKE TRAINING PROGRAM

STEP 2 TRIP REGISTRATION

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.]

STEP 3, TRIP DEPOSIT

STEP 3, TRIP DEPOSIT

STEP 2 TRIP 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.]

STEP 4 FINAL PAYMENT

STEP 3, TRIP DEPOSIT

STEP 4 FINAL PAYMENT

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.]

TRIP INSURANCE

STEP 3, TRIP DEPOSIT

STEP 4 FINAL PAYMENT

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.]

TRIP INSURANCE

JUMP TO MENU ....

BEST OF WASHINGTON STATE 2026UP NORTH 2025BEST OF SCOTLAND 2024-25PACIFIC NORTHWEST 2023BEST OF THE WEST 2022ABOUT 2021-2025 TRIPSRUN/WALK EVENTSABOUT COACH GUNNABOUT HIKE TRAININGSIGN UP
COACH GUNN'S CAIRN STONE ADVENTURE TOURS

Showing really cool people the world through adventure hikes

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.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photo Gallery: UTAH PARKS 2021, GRAND CANYON 2022 & SCOTLAND 2024 & 2025

Awestruck in the Narrows!

BEST OF UTAH PARKS 2021

River hike in Zion National Park in Utah

 BEST OF UTAH PARKS 2021

View of valley in Zion National Park in Utah

BEST OF UTAH PARKS 2021

View of Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah

BEST OF UTAH PARKS 2021

Sunset view through arch at Canyon Lands National Park in Utah

  BEST OF UTAH PARKS 2021 

Double arch view in Arches National Park in Utah

  BEST OF UTAH PARKS 2021 

Show More

About Us & more information

HIKING PHILOSOPHY

SEE YOU ON THE TRAILS

THE PATHS WE TRAVEL

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.

GET FIRED UP!

THE PATHS WE TRAVEL

SEE YOU ON THE TRAILS

THE PATHS WE TRAVEL

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.  


2021 - Best of Utah 


2022 - Grand Canyon XII


2023 - Pacific Northwest III


2024 & 25 - Best of Scotland II


2025 Spectacular Up North


ABOUT COACH RON GUNN

SEE YOU ON THE TRAILS

SEE YOU ON THE TRAILS

SEE YOU ON THE TRAILS

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.]


ABOUT TRAINING
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Coach Ron Gunn's, Cairn Stone Adventure Tours, LLC

Thom@CairnStoneTours.com

CONTACT US

Coach Ron Gunn

Your coach, your travel guide and founder of Cairn Stone Adventure Tours.

Ron@CairnStoneTours.com

or

Coach@CairnStoneTours.com

574-215-4779


Thom Janssen

Fellow hiker, webmaster and record keeper assisting Coach Gunn.

Thom@CairnStoneTours.com

269-462-0683


Tim Calhoun

Fellow hiker and accounting volunteer

Tim@CairnStoneTours.com

OR

Accounting@CairnStoneTours.com


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