What we’re about
Are you looking for a challenge?
Do you want to improve your physical fitness?
Do you want to learn new skills that build your ability to tackle a variety of outdoor environments?
Do you want to make lasting friendships?
And do you want to explore the sites, culture, and cuisine of our amazing state?
Then this is the group for you!
We tend toward more challenging outings but welcome all levels and abilities. If you’re not sure if you are ready for a particular outing, contact the organizer(s) for suggestions and let’s see what you need to succeed.
ACTIVITIES WE DO:
- Day hikes
- Backpacking
- Car camping
- Mountaineering
- Skills workshops
- Travel to unique and remote destinations were few meet ups travel. We cover the entire state.
FUTURE ACTIVITIES we are planning:
- Scrambles
- Mountain bike/scramble combination
- Trail running
Outings are based on:
- Hiking Idaho: A guide to the State's Greatest Hiking Adventures by Luke Kratz.
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Most of outings have small group sizes to maximize friendships building and minimize our impact of the environment and not crowd the trails.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZER:
I am a local physician with a love for hiking, backpacking, and Mountaineering. Read my biography here:
Biography
Hey can I get a ride…?
I received rides most of my life. I have hitch hiked a few times as well including on a beer truck across Lithuania. Sometimes we need a ride or just want to socialize. Carpooling is encouraged. If you need a ride direct message the organizer (s). Attendees can also volunteer. While all trips are free unless otherwise stated, help with gas is always a nice gesture if you are carpooling. Suggested gas donation is $0.10 per mile per passenger.
What about the after hike grub?
To support local communities, get to know each other, and explore local culture where we hike, backpack, and scramble we typically eat at local restaurants. The organizer(s) try to keep restaurant costs under $30. Every once and a while we may splurge.
The weather is looking bad will the meet up be canceled?
As uphill athletes WE DO NOT LET WEATHER GET IN THE WAY. Instead, we adapt and learn to see the beauty of snow, rain, heat and storms. Idaho has a lot of “ bad” weather days. Should we give up and stay home most of the year? Of course if it’s dangerous to go out the meet up will be canceled. We take avalanche risk seriously. The organizer will tell the group about any specific gear requirements for the weather conditions ( including avalanche gear). Routes are planned to minimize avalanche risk where an issue.
HOW TO LEARN MORE
*Follow me on TikTok with hiking stories and educational resources @ Oregon hikers and backpackers.
*Join the WhatsApp group for additional trip information and non meet up opportunities. By invitation only
**What are the rules for uphill athletes?**Expectations/Policies:
* Be honest about your abilities.
* Be friendly and contribute to the group
* RSVP if you have a good chance of actually coming and don’t be late.
Read more:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fj7t4iJyDNZtkuCbFPpbjz55rZUf8Bxd_GKCrZTYjDA/edit?usp=sharing
## Release of Liability Agreement
#### You must read and agree to this Release of Liability to attend the Oregon Hikers and Backpacker - top 100 hikes Meetup events:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T0snei0AJwk7y7vyEkIiXtW2EwcbNVnYl89TTuLpMsc/edit?usp=sharing
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Boise Grand Slam **EVENT SIGN-UP** OVERNIGHTMount Heinen Trailhead, Boise, ID
Time to start training for the Grand Slam!
The Boise Grand Slam is a hiking challenge created by Tom Lopez (creator of great books about hiking and backpacking ). Washington has its grand slam: Mailbox peak, Mt. Si, and Mt. Teneriffe; Oregon Mount Defiance, Devil's Rest, and Dog Mountain. In Boise, The Grand Slam Peaks are Cervidae, Kepros Mountain, Shaw Mountain/Lucky Peak, and Mount Heinen. Most grand slams are done in 24 hrs, but I will generously give us 48 hrs since we have 4 peaks to scale.
Read more about the grand slam challenge:
https://www.idahoaclimbingguide.com/grand-slam-peaks/
https://womanmeetsnature.com/boise-grand-slam/
https://www.idahostatesman.com/outdoors/hiking/article274530626.htmlItinerary:
We meet at 6 am at the Mt. Heinen Trailhead.
Day 1:
- Mt. Heinen: 9.3 miles, elevation gain 3690 ft
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/mount-heinen
NEXT:
-Cervidae Peak: 4.5 miles, elevation gain 1932 ft
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/cervidae-peakTotal miles day 1: 13.7 miles
Overnight: Irish Point dispersed camping. This is free.
https://thedyrt.com/camping/idaho/irish-point-dispersed-camp-groundIf you want to stay in Boise keep reading, although I think it would be best if we all stick together. We will not wait for late hikers.
Day 2:
- Wake- up at 6:00 am; breakfast at campsite (bring your own).
- Arrive to Kepros trailhead by 8:30 am. Meet others who join this leg. Kepros: 9.4 miles, elevation gain 1978 ft.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/kepros-mountain-trail
- Lunch/break
NEXT:
- Shaw Mountain (Lucky Peak) : 13.6 miles, elevation gain 3159 feet** I hope to finish by 4 pm but please keep your schedule open.
Travel back to boise, grab something to eat if people want.TOTAL Mileage : 36 miles
What to bring:
- Backpack
- Warm jacket
- Rain jacket (just in case)
- Hat
- Sun glasses
- Sun screen
- 2 litter of water
- Snacks
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- First aidPolicies:
* Please do not bring any alcohol to the campsite**
* Leave no trace*
* If you are unable to complete, you may drop out at any time. However, you are responsible for your own transportation.I am not a guide but a facilitator. Please come prepared to contribute to the objective. I put a significant amount of time planning to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants. By signing up, you agree to be responsible for your own safety. Please inform the organizer as soon as possible with any cancellations but no later than 7 pm the night before the meet up. Last minute sign ups welcomed. No shows/no communication is unfair to others who are on the waitlist and makes planning difficult for the organizer. Please review our no-show policy. If you are sick, please stay home and hike with us another time.
- Jennie Lake (Idaho) and Wolf Mt: Beginner's Backpack (overnight)Ten mile Park and Ride, Meridian, ID
Backpacking season has starting and I thought we'd start off with this beginner's backpack to Jennie Lake. While this is a beginner's backpack, all are welcome.
The best hikes are the ones that capture your attention from start to finish. That's Jennie Lake Trail, a route that provides access to an alpine lake tucked into the Boise National Forest north of Idaho City at nearly 8,000 feet. Features include the rushing sounds and cool views of Bear Creek, with occasional waterfalls.Miles: 9 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 1968 ft
Route: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/jennie-lake-trail
Difficulty: Definitions used by Idaho Hikers and Backpackers:"Beginner’s backpack: These trips are designed for members with no or minimal experience. Members are learning to use their gear and how to adapt to eating and sleeping in the wilderness. Base weights may be heavier than average. They may feel uncomfortable with wind and rain while camping. The trip is suitable for any age. There will not be any significant elevation gain, hazards or navigation challenges. Backpackers are comfortable with a trip under 10 miles."
Itinerary:
We meet at 9:15 am at the Park and Ride. You can leave your car here overnight for free and carpool or drive to the trailhead yourself. I highly encourage you to carpool not to congest the trailhead parking. If you do take a carpool, it is a nice gesture to offer a donation to your driver. Here are some guidelines:
https://www.wasatchmountainclub.org/carpool-rates-and-guidelinesThe organizer will do a quick review of how to pack your backpack and do a gear check. We will then drive to the Jenny Lake Trailhead (2.25 minutes).
We will reach camp in about 2-3 hours, set up our tents, relax, cook dinner and spend the night.
The next morning we have a few options: group members can relax by the lake or join me for a hike to point 8610 and Wolf Mountain: https://www.explorumentary.com/adventure-blog/wolf-mountain-and-point-8610-via-jennie-lake-boise-national-forest
If you would like to do the hike, you need to wake up by 6 am.We will return by around 4 pm then next day.
What to bring:
You can find gear recommendations and a check list here:
Beginner's backpacking guidePolicies:
* Please do not bring any alcohol or drugs to the campsite**
* Leave no trace*
* If you are unable to complete, you may drop out at any time. However, you are responsible for your own transportationI am not a guide but a facilitator. Please come prepared to contribute to the objective. I put a significant amount of time planning to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants. By signing up, you agree to be responsible for your own safety. Please inform the organizer as soon as possible with any cancellations but no later than 7 pm the night before the meet up. Last minute sign ups welcomed. No shows/no communication is unfair to others who are on the waitlist and makes planning difficult for the organizer. Please review our no-show policy. If you are sick, please stay home and hike with us another time. I reserve the right to take photos and videos of group members in order to promote the the group.
- Sawtooth Mountains: Alice-Toxaway Loop (overnight) - Intermediate LevelRiverwear, Stanley, ID
The Alice Toxaway loop is consistently rated as one of the top backpacking trips in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. After doing this with the group last year, I 100% agree. I am up to do it again. This backpack has it all: alpine lakes, tumbling creeks, and towering mountains.
The cover here is an actual picture I took. Check out my Tiktok video that says it all:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjf7GBwr/This is an intermediate level backpack (see definition below). However, I am open to beginners coming if you come on the Jennie Lake trip and do well or if you kick butt on Grand Slam. If you are a beginner and have some other experience and feel you are qualified reach out to the organizers to discuss further . Either way, you must be able to manage the distance. Day one is easy but day two is much harder.
**YOU MUST have either a bag resistant bag (e.g., ursack) or bear canister - the rangers often check at the trailhead. I can't let you join the meet up without this**. I have one bear canister to loan, first come first serve. However, if you plan to do more backpacks with us, it is a good idea to get your own canister or bag.
Read more here about the Alice-Toxaway Loop:
https://backcountrydirtbag.wordpress.com/2019/09/27/sawtooth-wilderness-alice-toxaway-lake-loop-planning-guide/
Mileage: 18.7 miles
Elevation gain: 3,139 ft
Route: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/tin-cup-hiker
Itinerary:
Saturday: meet at Riverwear in Stanley. You can pick up any last minute gear here (expensive!). We drive 30 minutes to Petite Lake Campground and meet at the Tin Cup Hiker Trailhead. I suggest you park at the horse trailer parking lot, as space is often limited near the trailhead. We will hike to Toxaway Lake and spend the night.
Sunday (suggest sun rise start): complete the loop, grab a late lunch, and head home.Difficulty: Intermediate
Definitions used by Idaho Hikers and Backpackers:
"Intermittent level backpack: Group members will have a good knowledge of their gear. They may still be testing their equipment out. They are not “dialed in.” Base-weights are average or below average. They feel comfortable camping in rain or wind. They are fine with some elevation gain. The trail may be faint in some places. There could be some easy scrambling over rocks (class 2). Backpackers are comfortable with a 10-20 mile trip."What to bring:
Please review the beginner's backpacking guide for the basic gear list:
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/16TZaqHA0EDCydQvPg0m_Dz3AJWcp-lhz9jgUxipFSOU/edit?usp=sharingBear resistant container](https://docs.google.com/document/d/16TZaqHA0EDCydQvPg0m_Dz3AJWcp-lhz9jgUxipFSOU/edit?usp=sharing)Additional items required for this trip:
- Bear spray
- Trowel or wag bag
- Please be prepared for possible water crossings. So have a change of clothes.* More info on this closer to the event. When we went in August there were no water crossings. Typically, these are ankle to calf level deep.
- Water shoes
Policies:
* Please do not bring any alcohol or drugs*
* Leave no trace - so bury or carry your poop*
* If you are unable to complete, you may drop out at any time. However, you are responsible for your own transportation/way back.
* Be honest about your abilities
I am not a guide but a facilitator. Please come prepared to contribute to the objective. I put a significant amount of time planning to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants. By signing up, you agree to be responsible for your own safety. Please inform the organizer as soon as possible with any cancellations but no later than 7 pm the night before the meet up. Last minute sign ups welcomed. No shows/no communication is unfair to others who are on the waitlist and makes planning difficult for the organizer. Please review our no-show policy. If you are sick, please stay home and hike with us another time. I reserve the right to take photos and videos of group members in order to promote the the group.
