Recently, the whole concept of becoming a granola girl has boomed big time. The rise of the aesthetic is multiplying as a great thanks to social media; posting up on a hike with friends, cute aesthetic pictures and good ol’ serene walks through the peaceful meadows of the motherland. The granola girl aesthetic used to be mildly exclusive, but as 2025 has progressed more and more, individuals have stepped in and embraced this concept taking it to a whole new level. Uggs are being replaced by the Birkenstocks, Stanleys being subbed for Nalgenes and city walks to camping adventures.

While many granola girls hold a true love for nature, there also lies the slim population that is “connecting with nature” for the likes, aesthetics, or a good instagram post for the feed.  This is not necessarily bad, but it does create genuine problems in many outdoor areas. Many people do not know proper trail etiquette or the safety requirements to many hikes and this has led to an influx of trash on trails or various accidents happening due to the lack of knowledge many people bring onto their hikes.This trash is very dangerous for the wildlife and the common “leave no trace” slogan has been stomped to the ground. Many people seemingly leave their entire presence behind on the trails.

This is not to say that many positives haven’t come out of this newfound aesthetic. More people are taking a liking to a fantabulous PNW hobby, expanding communities and discovering new activities to participate in. Parks are positively being pushed to be kept, preserved and taken care of. More and more discovery passes are being purchased which helps parks maintain the features of the land and ensure parks are safe for everyone. The hiking community is growing and becoming a more inclusive activity that keeps people active, seeing sights, and keeping good company.

That said, people can do whatever they may please. With this, know the surroundings, be mindful of the trace being left behind, and have a proper education of the space before making any moves into nature. Treat the earth with respect, take as many pictures as desired, and have a great time but be mindful of the environment that surrounds. Have a blast and be sure to pick up!