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Four women are gathered near a trail sign, one of the women is in an adaptive all-terrain wheelchair.

“We provide the equipment, we provide the snacks, [and] we provide the laughs and the giggles to get you through it, too.”

Thanks to its diverse terrain and natural beauty, Idaho is a popular destination for hikers seeking a variety of trails packed with scenic views. However, these experiences are not always accessible for wheelchair users or those with disabilities. Enter People Need People, a nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible way to enjoy one of Idaho’s best offerings.

I sat down with the organization’s co-founder, Elizabeth Friend, to get the scoop on this group and its work to make Idaho’s outdoors more accessible and inclusive through its monthly adaptive hikes

Four females are in a group, one of them is in an adaptive all-terrain wheelchair and they are smiling with the Sawtooth Mountains in the background.
It’s all smiles in the Sawtooths. Photo credit: Abigail Hanson.

Q: What is People Need People?

A: “We unite people of all abilities through recreation and relational wellness. We primarily use adaptive hikes to get people, wheelchair users, out into the wilderness. So that’s the recreation side of it, and then we do community dinners and have a big focus on hospitality and building community both before and after the hike as well.”

A group of three females assists a woman in an all-terrain wheelchair on an asphalt trail.
Experience Idaho’s outdoors with People Need People. Photo credit: Abigail Hanson.

Q: When it comes to adaptive gear, what is available for use by participants?

A: “We have two different ones that we’ll be using this year. One of them is called a Huckleberry Cascade Cart, that’s more for youth… and it allows one sherpa to be able to pull someone in a wheelchair. And then we have two Joëlette chairs, those are one-wheeled, all-terrain wheelchairs…[where] there are people on both sides of you, one person pushing and one person pulling.”

Q: How can people participate?

A: “One: if you are an adaptive athlete—someone who uses a wheelchair—or just someone who wants people who are welcoming and inviting … and not annoyingly intense, then come hiking with us. Two: volunteering. These are big wheelchairs, and we need a lot of volunteers for most of our hikes, so that’s a big part of it, too. Three: donating. The more gear that we have, the more people we can take out, and so that is a big part of being able to provide the gear, provide the food for people, and we’re working on scholarships too.”

Four women are gathered near a trail sign, one of the women is in an adaptive all-terrain wheelchair.
Fishhook Creek Trail showcases amazing views. Photo credit: Abigail Hanson.

Q: How can someone sign up for a hike?

A: “We have specific hikes that we’re planning with just us or BASE or Higher Ground but the best way…is on our website, Peopleneedpeople.co.

A large group of people are gathered around an all-terrain wheelchair looking at the jagged Sawtooth Mountains.
Views from Fishhook Creek Trail near Stanley. Photo credit: Abigail Hanson.

Q: What do participants need to bring with them to be part of the hikes?

A: “Layers, like clothes, are good in case weather gets weird, rain jackets or sweaters or that kind of stuff, and a water bottle. But other than that, we provide the equipment, we provide the snacks, [and] we provide the laughs and the giggles to get you through it too. Any friends and family members that would really care to be involved [are also invited]. As much as we can bring units of people together, we love to do that too.”

People Need People leads monthly hikes in various Idaho locations including Boise and Stanley. Find the hike schedule, volunteer details and signup forms at  Peopleneedpeople.co.


Published on April 30, 2024