What we’re about
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 (4+)
See all- Day trip to Crater Lake National ParkMidtown Yacht Club , Bend , OR
For many of us who've been here before, it's hard to describe to someone who hasn't, just how blue the blue is. Am I right?
And so we're off to Crater Lake--the deepest lake in North America! There's also much to see and do enroute. We'll stop at the Rogue River Gorge Interpretive Site, the Falls as well as the Natural Bridge--a point located along the upper reaches of the Rogue River, is where the magic happens. At this point, the Rogue River disappears underground into a 250-foot lava tube, with a small amount of water escaping from the tube, forming a pool under the bridge.
General itinerary:
9:00 am Depart Midtown Yacht Club
11:30 Stop at Natural Bridge
12:30 Arrive southern entrance to Crater Lake NP: park/lake sightseeing, interpretive center, The Lodge, gift shop, nearby ~ Union Station, dine at Beckie's (its known for homemade fruit pies).
We should be back up in Bend ~ 5:30-6:00It takes 2 hours to get there from the appointed rendezvous spot. *I have an "America the Beautiful" Pass that will waive the park entry fee for at least four of us in one vehicle.
Ill need a couple of drivers to volunteer their vehicles. We all pitch in $10-15 for gas.
- Trinity Alps: Stuart Fork to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes, 4583' eg. 25 mi. 4 ntsMidtown Yacht Club , Bend , OR
Members of the Trinity Alps Facebook group highly recommend this out and back hike.
Of note: this trail is popular. Popular with local day hikers, salt-loving deer, a few rattlesnakes, bear sightings, and bugs. Sounds exciting huh?
The members of the Trinity Alps group recommend two things (neither is required): a bear canister, and a bug net. Now, they did say that come October, bears are less seen, the bugs are scarce, but the deer can be pesky. Any of you have the option of bringing a bear canister, an Ursack, or a food bag. You can also rent canisters here. They are available to rent at REI, and the National Park. Inquire on your own. Again, bear canisters are not required in this part of the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Many of the mentioned members say they've never had an incident, some use Bearvault BV425/450 canisters, and some just use a bear hang with a drybag, some use Ursacks. Most everyone, though, carries bear spray as a general precaution.A camp stove and fire permit is required. We must pick that up in person at the Weaverville Ranger Station (530) 623-2121. It is located approximately 30 minutes south of our intended trailhead. If we bring down two vehicles, makes sense that one stays put at the trailhead while the other fetches the permit.
Reliable water sources along the entire hike.
It will take approximately 6 hours with a break to arrive at the trailhead from our designated rendezvous spot. I will need two drivers to volunteer their vehicles. Everyone hands their driver $15.
Same as last year, it's just too beautiful a hike. Perhaps I'll see a few new faces.
Itinerary:
Day One--depart Bend at 8:00 AM
Arrive Weaverville Ranger Station 3:30pm (closes at 4:30)
Arrive Stuart Fork Trailhead/Bridge Camp Campground ~ 4-4:30pm, Camp #1
Day two--8 miles to northern end of Morris Meadows, Camp #2 *1723' e.g.
Day three--4.6 miles to Emerald Lake, Camp #3 *1100' e.g.
There is a very steep scramble of 1 mile up to Sapphire Lake (optional)
Day four--6 miles to Alpine Lake TH intersection, Camp #4
Day five--Break camp early, 5 miles back to Trailhead/vehicles.The end time (back in Bend) is approximate.
