Hikrs Origin

My name is Aaron Clark and I founded Hikrs in the fall of 2023 right here in Yosemite - the heart of the Sierra Nevada. After countless outdoor adventures and breaking, losing or forgetting a pair of sunglasses, I decided to launch a small brand and spread shade around the area to friends and fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

I began my outdoor journey as a child in rural Kentucky going on camping trips and visiting the Great Smoky Mountains with my family. My first job in the outdoor industry was with Kentucky State Parks. Then, I moved on to the National Park Service with Mammoth Cave National Park as a cave guide followed by ten years in the specialty outdoor retail and bicycle industry.

Fast forward to now - I have been a Recreation Coordinator at Yosemite National Park since 2017 where I help people explore the Park's deep valleys, grand meadows and mountain peaks. I also supplement my income by doing carpentry projects and rehabbing old cabins in the Yosemite area. I live right outside of the Park in a cabin myself, where Hikrs was started. Although Yosemite keeps me busy with its nearly 800 miles of hiking trails, it can get a little slow during the off-season. This is when Hikrs came along.

We are focusing on the Yosemite National Park region and the Eastern Sierra including Lee Vining and Mammoth Lakes. However, hikrs have already made their way to numerous US states and other countries.

What are your favorite hikes in Yosemite?

There's so many and several that I love in the Eastern Sierra, but in the park I would have to say (without giving away any secrets) Cathedral Lakes, Clouds Rest, Mono Pass and the Four Mile Trail.

What is the biggest adventure you've been on?

Other than starting Hikrs - probably when I sold my Toyota pickup, traveled to Central America with my best friend, we bought an old 1970's diesel Land Cruiser and made our way back to the US. Quite the adventure…

I see Hikrs was created in a cabin, can you elaborate on that a little?

Haha, yes...I live in a 300 sq. ft. cabin right by the entrance to Yosemite National Park. I can walk through the forest up to the big "Yosemite National Park" sign where people from all over the world stop and have their picture taken. Sometimes I have to pinch myself or remind myself where I live, it's magical. I will say once winter arrives, there's no need for a reminder - the mountains do that for you...living in a tiny cabin with a wood stove through several deep winters is quite the experience, one I will cherish for the rest of my life. Luckily, the gentleman and his wife that I share the property with are Yosemite locals, legends really...they have all of the equipment needed to survive harsh winters up here on the mountain and it's always a group effort, but even at that - there's been times we've just hunkered down for a few days at a time. Cabin fever is real, but you just have to get creative!

What is your end-goal with Hikrs?

I want people to smile when they put them on because they're reminded of a wonderful trip to Yosemite, another national park or anything they have done or like to do outdoors. One of our customers said putting his Hikrs on motivates him to get outside, I love that. Also, we want to give back to a cause close to our heart and the outdoor industry...the outdoors already gives so much to us. We’re working on this.

Where it all started - our Chiliguaro model (now the Daypack). Costa Rica is one of my favorite places, hence the name. Where classic style meets vibrancy, reminiscent of exploring jungle paths in an old Land Cruiser. The Chiliguaro is a spicy concoction of Costa Rica's national firewater - Guaro mixed with tomato juice, hot sauce and lime juice.

Hikrs and the product names used on this website are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hikrs LLC.