Women Hike to 'Take Back the Trails'

by Wendy Johnson

Women hiked along mountain trails in Virginia and at least 34 other states last weekend to mark the one-year anniversary of the murder of Lollie Winans and Julianne Williams, a Lesbian couple found murdered at their campsite in Virginia's Shenandoah National park last May.

Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National park

The backpacking trips, self-defense workshops, and other events that took part around the country were part of a loosely organized "Take Back the Trails" initiative, sponsored by a coalition of professional outdoor educators called the Women's Professional Group of the Association of Experiential Education.

Among the hikers was Patsy Williams, who hiked the same trails that her daughter Julianne explored Memorial Day weekend before she and Winans were found with their throats slashed. The double murder remains unsolved.

"I was overwhelmed by the amount of support for [Take Back the Trails]," said Williams, who backpacked along with a group of 30 others -- many of them friends of her daughter.

"Because of support, particularly from the Gay and Lesbian community, I'm getting to know what Julie's extended family would have been," she said. "It's a privilege."

Although reports of violence on remote mountain trails is relatively low, Take Back the Trails was created to draw awareness of the violence that can occur against women -- whether in the wilderness or on the street.

"You can still go hiking with friends," said Take Back the Trails organizer Nina Roberts. "Just be smart and be aware."