About us
This group is for anyone interested in our main focus--backpacking, along with camping, hiking, and wilderness adventures (snowshoeing, and snow camping). All skill levels are welcome, from the true day-hiker beginner ready to make the very first leap into backpacking on a beginner-friendly overnight trip, to individuals wanting to do nice 1 or 2-night trips with moderate mileages, to the well-seasoned and traveled backpacker wanting to crush 10+ mile days on a multi-day trip.
That said, not every trip will be suited for beginners. Any specific considerations for a given trip will be clearly disclosed in each and every trip write-up. In this group, we will definitely be seeking out the roads less traveled - wilderness over development. That simply means that we will be focusing on getting into areas that aren’t always the most traveled. This is good because we get to see things that others typically will not. This can be frustrating as well because there is not always a way to know trail conditions (blow-downs, snow, overgrowth, etc.) in advance. While it is my belief that there is a certain beauty in not knowing everything ahead of time, I do pride myself in trying to assemble as much information for a given trip ahead of time.
****PLEASE NOTE**** Backpacking and associated outdoor activities are not without risk. While every single attempt will be made to keep the safety of our members a top priority while drawing on a breadth of experience, I cannot guarantee your safety. The fact is, it is ‘safer’ to stay at home on the couch in the comfort of your own home without ever, ever leaving the house--that’s if you discount the health risks of an inactive and sedentary lifestyle. It has been my experience that there are far, far, far more ways to be injured or worse in a city situation (including something as mundane as crossing the street while walking to a store) than there are in the wild; the truth is that people can be injured in the wild. Again, this is not intended to scare anyone. This is simply fact.
BY ATTENDING CO TRAILHEADS GROUP EVENTS, YOU AGREE TO HOLD CO TRAILHEADS AND ITS ORGANIZERS, HARMLESS FROM ANY LIABILITY RESULTING IN INJURY, ILLNESS, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
PROFILE PICTURES: It is mandatory that all members post their real name (last names are optional), a "mug shot" of themselves (not a logo, or picture of a mountain vista or your dog or cat). There are a few reasons: it allows the event hosts to seek you out and recognize you (taking role call), #2 allows fellow attendees to recognize you (as they may wish to resume a conversation). #3 In the event of a mishap on the trail, having your name and a recognizable picture of yourself would aid Search and Rescue in finding you.
Thanks again for joining.
Tom Cappy | Organizer
Upcoming events
7
Eagle Cap! Wallowa River Loop Trail 26.6 mi, 4573' e.g. 3nts
Tom's home, 61335 Robin Hood Lane, Bend, OR, USDetails
The route is a 26.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Joseph, Oregon that features a lake and is rated as difficult by virtue of elevation gain. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail. The views are spectacular in almost every direction, especially the decent into Glacier Lake as shown.For intermediate to experienced backpackers only.
The Plan (counterclockwise)
Thursday, Day One - arrive Joseph--(opt.) eat in town--free parking at TH (no pass needed), hike 6.1 miles to Six Mile Meadow, camp #1.
Friday, Day Two - Hike 9.1 miles to Glacier Lake, camp #2
Saturday, Day Three - Hike 8.8 miles to the Ice Lake intersection, camp #3
-or- Hike 5.8 miles to Six Mile Meadow, camp #3, then 6.1 miles in the morning back to the vehicles.
Sunday, Day Four - break camp early, hike 2.6 miles back to TH, drive back to Bend. \ ~8 hours.
En route to TH, we'll stop at the Clyde Holliday Recreation Site near John Day for lunch.
Everyone pays their driver $25 (based on 4 in one vehicle) via cash or Venmo.
5 attendees
High Divide & 7 Lakes Basin, 5259' eg., 22 mi. 3 nts
The Pourhouse Grill, 61276 S Hwy 97, Bend, OR, USOur destination: The Olympic National Park. Our route here.
What to bring: bug net (bugs likely a non issue by the first week of September), RAIN GEAR, tarp if you have one, the 10 Essentials, food for 4 nights, water filtration. Bear spray optional.
I'll update the weather forecast and trail conditions as we get closer.
Bear cannisters are required here.
No dogs are allowed.I need two drivers to volunteer their vehicles. We all chip in $30 for gas either with cash or Venmo.
I have permits for 5 hikers at the three in-park campsites.
Itinerary:
Wednesday: after an 8 hour drive, we enter the park, drive to the Sol Duc TH., then hike 1 mile to Sol Duc Falls (camp 1)Thursday: 7.5 miles to Appleton Pass (camp 2)
Friday: Hike 8.7 miles to Potholes CG; it is located 3/4 mile above Deer Lake (camp 3)
Saturday: 4.5 miles back to TH. We have options! #1 Break camp early, drive back to Bend. #2 Be tourists, explore the many many short trails around the Hoh forest, stay night at a campground closer back towards Bend.
The end time is approximate.
3 attendees
Mt Margaret via Boundary Trail, 11.2+ mi., 2608' eg. 3 nts,
Tom's home, 61335 Robin Hood Lane, Bend, OR, USHere's a taste:
"OMG. If you're an avid hiker this is a must. So beautiful it's hard to explain. I wanted to cry. Lol. Definitely worth the 11.5 mile trek. Yes there is overgrowth essentially in all the shaded areas facing north. Rest of the hike is fully exposed so have lots of water. There are no streams, just lakes you have to hike to. Come prepared. This is hike will not disappoint. Moderate + for avid hikers."
"Beautiful trail. More moderate than difficult. Rolling hills. Saw mountain goats and elk, lotsa mountains and lakes--great view of spirit lake and mt Saint Helen’s. Took a nice long lunch at the top. Hidden gem for sure."
"The trail is absolutely gorgeous at this time of year (September). You will see so many colors and pictures do not do it justice. The first couple miles are pretty overgrown so just be aware of that. There are also some steep drop offs but totally worth it."
THE PLAN:
Thursday: Arrive Norway Pass TH, Bathrooms available.
Hike 6.5 miles to Margaret Camp, #1
Friday: Hike 8.5 miles to Pan Handle Camp. #2
Saturday: Hike 6.5 miles back to Norway Pass TH.Mount Margaret via Boundary Trail, Washington - 359 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
What to bring? Elevation 5200-5700, it's fall. Prepare for cold nights. Bring the 10 Essentials. As the trail is exposed--sun protection ala wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, arm or sun gloves.
2 attendees
Goat Rocks Wilderness, 20.3 miles, 3206 e.g., 3-4 nights
JoAnn Fabrics, 61284 S. Hwy 97, Bend, OR, USWe return to the Goat Rocks Wilderness!
This is the trail (Snowgrass Flats to Goat Creek Loop) that we intended to do two years ago but were thwarted due to a wildfire close to Packwood Lake. So we ended up doing the Nannie Ridge to Walupt Lake loop instead--well, I didn't get to go, had to turn back and escort someone back to the trailhead. So, it's gonna happen this time for sure!!
As the Goat Lake Loop only 12.3 miles on its own, I'm adding another 8 miles via a day hike to Old Snowy Mtn, along with a short loop up to the Goat Ridge Lookout. We will hike clockwise upon entering the loop--north on Goat Ridge Trail, and south on Lily Basin/Snowgrass Trail.
If using Alltrails, download Snowgrass Flats to Goat Creek Loop.
I originally chose this hike two years ago due to the glowing reviews to the tune of the spectacular, as well as the "most beautiful hike ever been on"--this from seasoned backpackers like you and I.
The Plan: Drive 5.5 hours due north along 26/97 to Hood River. Then 141/NF-23/NF-2329/NF-56/NF-2160/NF-2160, stopping at Trout Lake (RT 141) for supplies, to Snowgrass/Berry Patch TH.
THURSDAY: Arrive Chambers Lake Campground. Camp #1 ~4-5pm
FRIDAY: 6.1 miles: depart Goat Ridge TH, stopping at the Goat Ridge Lookout, to Goat Lake, Camp #2 There is an opportunity here to do a 2.5 mile day hike up to Heart Lake.
SATURDAY: 2.4 miles to Snowgrass Flat/Alpine campsite, Base Camp #3, Day hike 3 miles to Old Snowy Mtn via PCT. Return to campsite.
SUNDAY: 5 miles back to Snowgrass TH/vehicles. Back in Bend ~ 7pm.
I'll fine tune all of this in the coming months, along with a weather forecast, bugs, trail conditions (blowdown, nighttime temps, precip, water sources), etc.
I need two drivers to volunteer their vehicles. We all chip in $20 for gas either with cash or Venmo.
The end time is approximate.
8 attendees
Past events
194
