Backpacking 101

They say the third time is the charm. This is the third time we've tried to do this. Both other times the weather has turned too cold. Maybe this time it will be warm enough.

Backpacking 101. This will be an easy backpacking trip overnight. This backpacking trip will be at White Ranch above Golden. This trip is for people who are new at or wanting to try backpacking. It'll help you get a small sample of what backpacking is like. This weekend will help you decide if you'd like to join us on some of the other trips I plan to do later in the summer/fall.
There will also be an option to stay for a second night if you want to.
We have site 14 (2 nights) in the Sawmill Campground. There is a one-mile hike to the campsites. There is no water at the sites. So we'll have to carry our water from the parking lot. Here is a map of the campground: White-Ranch-Park-Sawmill-Campground-Map
Directions to White Ranch Park: To reach White Ranch Park take Highway 93 north from Golden approximately 1 mile to Golden Gate Canyon Road. Turn left (west) traveling 4.1 miles to Crawford Gulch Road (Highway 57). Follow the signs to White Ranch Park. Campers should park their vehicles in the larger, lower parking lot at the west trailhead, not in the smaller lot just as you enter the park. Please meet me in the parking lot at 12:00 PM.
Parking permit. You will need a permit to park your vehicle there. You can get your parking permit there. You will need the code that is on my receipt. So you will have to meet me in the parking lot to get that.
So you will have to have your gear so you can put it on and hike the mile to the campsites. The campsites are $12/night. You can come prepared to stay one night or two nights. We'll do a day hike on Monday. So you can have a daypack in your vehicle to use on Monday. We can hike past the vehicles and pick it up.
Remember, this is a backpacking trip. So you'll need food while you are there and water.
If you have any questions let me know. And don't wait 'til the last minute to get ready.
You can find a lot of information about backpacking on this very helpful site. Home - Homemade Wanderlust
If you want, I can also send you a copy of my backpack list. It has been about 50 years in the making.