Backpacking Trips

  • SD - Eastern Sierras Campout, Hikes, and intermediate 5 Lakes Backpacking Retreat

    • Sun, August 18, 2024
    • 3:00 PM
    • Sun, August 25, 2024
    • Bishop Park Group Campsite - Inyo National Forest
    • 17
    • 8 registrants
    Register

    SDGO – Eastern Sierras Campout and Hikes 

    and 5 Lakes Backpacking Retreat (Intermediate) 

    August 18-21 Campout, August 21-25 Backpack 

    Total Distance: 15miles  Elevation Gain: 2,800ft Route Type: Out and Back 


    If you’ve longed for space and time to soak in the unfathomable beauty of a place and love to wander and explore and bask in the majesty of wilderness without having to pack up and move camp and hike every day, this trip is for you! 

    Note: Serious considerations and Requirements Before Registration:  

    • The basecamp reservations allow for 8 cars or SUVs (no RVs at the group campsite) with up to 25 people tent camping at the beautiful group campsite. 

    • Each participant must carpool with at least one other participant and coordinate travel plans and driving expenses. Participants with roomier vehicles should please consider adding an additional person.

    • Can share a tent or bring separate tents. 

    • The backpack portion of the trip is limited to 6 backpackers. Those who are not going on the backpack must check out by noon on Wednesday.  

    Backpackers: 

    • Commit to the full trip – no early departures except in emergency. 

    • Must have at least basic backpacking experience. 

    • Must have some equipment (some items may be loaned by SDGO).  

    • Your pack should not exceed 35 lbs. & will be weighed at start. 

    • Must pack a bear canister that contains all food and toiletries. 

    • Must be in good physical condition able to carry a 35 lbs. uphill at a moderate pace for 4 miles at elevations from 9,000-11,000 feet. 

    • The Intermediate rating of the backpack is based on distance traveled from vehicles, terrain, elevation, elevation gain, and expected weather. 

    • Will rotate carrying group equipment such as the first aid kit. 

    • After registration, please expect an email from the trip leader, Steve Fitzgerald (steve.thrives@gmail.com) to discuss this trip and make sure it is right for you. 

    3-Night Group Campout with Day Hike and Boating 

    We will enjoy the first three nights at Bishop Park Group Campground, which is “one of the most popular facilities in the Bishop Creek area.” Bishop Park, in the Inyo National Forest, extends along the North Fork of Bishop Creek at 8,300 ft. elevation. It is shaded by aspens, cottonwoods, and Jeffrey and lodgepole pines. Its level, dirt-surfaced, tent-only campsites border Bishop creek. Two bear-proof food storage lockers are provided, as are flush toilets and drinking water. No electric hookups are available, and RVs are not allowed.  

    Tent sites back onto the creek, allowing anglers to fish from the comfort of their campsite. The stocked stream contains rainbow, brown, brook and Alpers trout. Similar fishing opportunities can be found just upstream in Intake Lake II. 


    • Wednesday, August 21 - Car campers break camp and head home by noon. Six backpackers continuing will park and hike from Sabrina Lake trailhead. If there are campers that wish to stay longer a nearby option is Four Jeffrey Campground just 2.5 miles away. One third of the sites are reservable but the rest are first-come first-served.

    3-Night RV Campout with Day Hike and Boating 

    There are 2 RV camper spots available in the Four Jeffrey Campground. Campers opting for this reservation should take note that there will not be available parking at the Bishop group campground. RV campers are welcome to all the same activities as tent campers but may need to arrange for someone to transport them from one campground to the other if they are interested in partaking in group meals.

    4-Night Backpacking Retreat 

    Every aspect of this trip route is stunning!! It is intentionally designed with two rest days to chill and soak in the majesty of the high sierras in between, while visiting and exploring at least 6 different lakes. 

    • Wednesday, August 21 - Backpack group breaks camp, drives to Sabrina Lake trailhead and parks, then hikes to the far end of Blue Lake and set up camp for 2 nights. 

    • Thursday, August 22, chill day at Blue Lake, optional low key short hike(s) to explore Donkey Lake, Emerald Lake, and/or others. 


    • Friday, August 23, break camp and hike to Hungry Packer Lake and set up camp.

    • Saturday, August 24, hike to and explore nearby Midnight and Moonlight Lakes

    • Sunday, August 25, break camp, hike back down to Sabrina Lake parking lot, drive home 

    Weather: Expect warm days and chilly (low-mid 40s) evenings and mornings. Dressing in layers is the best way to manage the possible range of temperatures. Precipitation is always a possibility, so rain gear is mandatory. Last year mosquitos at Treasure Lake (not basecamp) nearly ruined our trip – bring adequate protection. 

    Bring: 10 Essentials for the campout and hike. Steve will send registered backpackers a list of required and recommended gear for the 4-night backpack. 

    Cost: $30 for Camper Only, $40 for Camper/Backpacker. When capacity is reached, a waiting list will be in effect. Cancel by August 4 to receive a refund. $80 for RV spot. RV campers will need to arrange for someone to pick them up and bring them to the Bishop group campsite or will need to walk the 2.5 miles from the RV campground

    Other considerations: As with any backcountry experience, this one is "Leave no Trace" - our trash comes out with us, including toilet paper, and excrement is buried and covered far away from water sources. Active bear area - mandatory use of either bear cannisters or hanging food sacks. 

    Directions:370 miles, 6+ hours from San Diego. Take 15 to 215 to 395 N to Bishop. In Bishop, turn left on S Lake Rd (CA 168) and follow it 15 miles to Bishop Park group site in Inyo National Forest, and turn LEFT into the entrance. 

    Trip Leader: Please contact Steve Fitzgerald at 323-252-1066 or at steve.thrives@gmail.com. 
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  • SD - Backpacking - Boundary Waters Canoe Area (MN)

    • Sun, September 08, 2024
    • 2:00 PM
    • Fri, September 13, 2024
    • 3:00 PM
    • Boundary Waters Canoe Area (MN), Entry Point #55 Saganaga Lake
    • 0
    • 9 registrants
    Join waitlist

    Boundary Waters Canoe Area:

    The Crown Jewel of Minnesota

    Sunday Sept 8 - Friday Sept 13, 2024


    Trip Description: Join us for this once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the crown jewel of Minnesota nature, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Located in northern Minnesota on the Canadian border, this area is famous for its pristine lakes, singing loons and great fishing. This trip will be a backpacking canoe trip, meaning every participant will work in community with others on the trip to share responsibilities like cooking, building fires, switching off paddling, and securing food supplies overnight. Trips to the BWCA are considered a right of passage in Minnesota culture, and I am excited to share this experience with you! 

    Note: Flights to/from MSP Airport are not included. Our backpacking trip will start at the entry point the night before Sept 8th, including staying in the bunkhouse, and departing on Sept 9th until exiting the BWCA on Sept 13th. Plan an extra day on both ends for air travel to/from MSP Airport.


    Route Overview: Starting on Saganaga Lake we will travel north and after two days or so of paddling, around the time you start to miss portaging we will turn around to return to Saganaga Lake. Red line indicates 30-mile route. We will have one base camp day at the halfway points of the trip, averaging 7-8mi/day traveling to and from. 

    Distance: ~30miles


    Route Type: Loop


    Schedule:

    Sunday, Sept 8th

    Arrive to MSP, drive to Seagull Outfitters (5hrs). Overnight stay in the bunkhouse included with registration costs. Equipment check.

    Monday, Sept 9th

    Depart from entry location, Point #55 Saganaga Lake. Paddle for day, no portages.

    Tuesday, Sept 10th

    Continue along route through 6 portages until stay at Amoeber Lake to find camp.

    Wednesday, Sept 11th

    Day trip to islands and lakes. Enjoy camp or fishing.

    Thursday, Sept 12th

    Canoe/portage to campsite #3, including 10 portages.

    Friday, Sept 20th

    Depart for Exit #55 Saganaga Lake, no portaging. 5-hour drive back to Minneapolis-Saint Paul.

    The below map depicts our route and campsites available for use (colored dots). We will camp at the nearest available campsite in relation to our resting locations (numbered below).


    Cost: See per person registration type. This includes canoe rentals, permits, and Bunk House accommodations the night before, if available. Flights not included. Food and Travel (car ride north) coordination is recommended with the Trip Leader.

    Cancellation/Refund: Refunds are available until Aug 1st, 2024. Unless an alternate attendee is confirmed, a refund will not be provided after 8/1/2024.

    Travel: Coordination with the Trip Leader is encouraged. Flights are not included, but an early arrival Tuesday is recommended for the drive up to BWCA. You are responsible for your travel to Seagull Outfitters, but Trip Leader assistance is available. Direct flights from San Diego to MSP are available through Sun Country and Delta Airlines. It is a 5hour drive from the airport to the BWCA, so early arrival is critical.

    Experience: This trip does not require previous canoe/portage experience, and is considered an intermediate route due to the number of portages and one (1) base camp day included in the schedule. If you have never portaged or paddled, please let the Trip Leader know and they will be more than happy to explain skill requirements. We will be teaching these skills day 1 and on as well! 


    Weather: These mid-summer temperatures are high 50s to high 70s. Of course, mid-August is warmer than early July, and you can expect a bump in humidity as the summer progresses. August averages about 8 days of rain, so bring rain gear. This is the end of the mosquito season, meaning mosquitos will be waning but this is always location dependent in the BWCA.

    Bring: 10 Essentials (no kidding, every person needs a personal first aid kit); water filtration; food for each meal plus extra snacks; water bottle and filter system; sleeping bag and pad; tent; appropriate footwear (land and water); layered clothing; jacket; rain gear; wide hat; compass; toilet paper & trowel; jet boil/compact camping stove; fire starter; headlamp; sunglasses; sunscreen; insect repellant; camera and entertainment (book, card game, etc). 

    Note: Some communal equipment will be utilized, like jet boils/stove and Duluth packs to reduce duplicative equipment being carried.

    Other Considerations: As with any backcountry experience, this one is "Leave no Trace" - our trash comes out with us. Active bear area - mandatory use of either bear cannisters or hanging food sacks.

    Trip Leader: Tyler Roosden (651.497.1611) or at redde022@umn.edu 


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  • OCLB - Mt Hood Timberline Trail Backpack

    • Sat, September 14, 2024
    • 8:00 AM
    • Tue, September 17, 2024
    • 4:00 PM
    • Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood, Oregon
    • 0
    • 4 registrants
    Registration is closed

    Great Outdoors Orange County/Long Beach presents

    Mt Hood Timberline Trail Backpack

    Sept 14 – 17, 2024

    Contact Trip Leader: Larry Purtle: E-Mail: lvpurtle@hotmail.com Mobile: 562-485-7149

    Timberline Trail, USFS Trail #600

    The Timberline Trail is a National Historic Trail in the Mount Hood Wilderness that was constructed primarily by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s at the same time as the Timberline Lodge. It follows near the tree line and circumnavigates Mt. Hood with vistas, waterfalls, alpine meadows and west side Cascade forests.


    Our plan is to start and end the 4-day, 3-night hike at the historic Timberline Lodge on the south flank. Each day covers about 10 miles. It is rated as difficult but reviews indicate various skill levels complete it with no problems. There are detours required for blown down trees, mostly on day 2 before Bald Mountain. There are multiple glacial river crossings. Seasonal conditions should be fairly dry but conditions are variable.


    Day 1 will start at 8am from Timberline Lodge and follow west along the PCT to Ramona Falls near the Sandy River ravine on the western flank of Mt Hood. This day will require crossing the Zigzag and the Sandy rivers.


    Day 2 From Ramona Falls we will continue west on the Ramona Falls Trail and then North on the PCT as a bypass of the original route along Yokum Ridge to Muddy Fork made difficult by blown down trees (2020 Labor Day storm). We’ll leave the PCT at Bald Mountain to rejoin the original Timberline Trail and head NE. We will cross the Muddy Fork, McGee, Glisan and Ladd Creeks. The day ends on the north flank at either Wyeast Basin Meadow or Elk Grove Camp.


    Day 3 reaches the highest point, 7330 ft on the Copper Spur, on the eastern flank. The day starts with a crossing of the Coe Branch creek, and later crossing the Compass Branch, Elliot and Newton creeks. The route continues past the Cloud Cap ski area turning South to Gnarl Ridge, and we’ll spend the third night after crossing Newton creek.

    Day 4 takes us back to Timberline Lodge, passing through the Mount Hood Meadows ski area, and climbing through the White River Glacier ravine. The main river crossings are Clark Creek and the White river.

    • Each participant is responsible for their own transportation to and accommodations at the trailhead.

    • Each participant is responsible for their own food and gear.

    • Each participant will need to bring the ten essentials as listed on GO website.

    • Sorry, no pets are allowed on this trip.

    Please contact the trip leader for an application.

    Day End

    Altitude

    Mileage

    Latitude / Longitude

    0

    Timberline Lodge (Start/End)

    5971

    0

    45.331309, -121.711307

    1

    Ramona Falls or adjacent camps (#1)

    3420

    10

    45.37863, -121.78341

    45.37863, -121.78341

    2

    Wyeast Basin Meadow or

    Elk Grove Camp (#2)

    5656

    5458

    19.2

    21.6

    45.35327, -121.648

    45.40992, -121.6983

    3

    Camp site past Gnarl Ridge and Newton Creek (#3)

    5403

    33.6

    45.35327, -121.648

    4

    Timberline Lodge

    5971

    41.3

    45.331309, -121.711307


    Additional Information:

    Click here for USFS.

    Click here for Oregon Hikers.





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