Backpacking San Francisco
Connect with San Francisco backpacking enthusiasts
Wildcat Canyon San Pablo Ridge 7.2 Mile Moderate Hike
Sat, May 23, 7:00 PMWAIVER: For us to hold our large events at local parks, the local parks require us to carry insurance for our events. To participate in our events, please sign this waiver (required by our insurance underwriter) for each event. Please do so online prior to arriving (works on mobile): https://www.sleeplateandhike.com/waiver-signing-form/ HIKING TIME: 3-3.5 hours DISTANCE: 7.2 miles, Loop. ELEVATION GAIN: Approx. 1400 feet DIFFICULTY: Moderate terrain and elevation. FACILITIES: Restrooms and water at trailhead. RECOMMENDED MAPS: [https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/wildcat-canyon-brochure.pdf](https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/wildcat-canyon-brochure.pdf) [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/wildcat-canyon-7-miles-6211941](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/wildcat-canyon-7-miles-6211941) MEETING PLACE: Parking lot at trailhead. Free. 66 spots available. Some street parking available as well. Meet by the bathrooms. • Please use the Google Maps link below to familiarize yourself with the trip and explore various route options from your home. Zoom in all the way. • The GPS locations below and the map link above are accurate enough to find us by looking around when you get there. GPS Degrees Decimal Format: 37.951920, -122.317232 https://goo.gl/maps/JD4SUuFZeJNPdiDP8 If you have the Waze app installed on your phone, click this link. It will open Waze and start navigating to the trailhead. waze://?ll=37.951920,-122.317232&navigate=yes • As always, it is good practice to confirm the night before that any app you use takes you to where you expect by comparing the destination with what is posted above on your PC/Mac • Most street addresses provided are approximate, and may be up to a couple of miles from the hike location. Use GPS coordinates when driving, if possible. CARPOOLING: We will use this link for carpooling. Please sign up here. https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/w4t8ig Please refrain from trying to negotiate your carpool in the comments, as it is equivalent to sending multiple "Reply All" emails to everyone. Please start your carpool quest, by first adding yourself to the carpool link above. Then, use the contact info provided by the driver or rider in the link above to contact them directly and privately. Please be considerate of others and resist the urge to "Reply All". Thank you for understanding. SUMMARY: Wildcat Canyon Regional Park encompasses 2,427 acres along the Wildcat Creek watershed and the surrounding hills and ridges. The park extends from the Tilden Nature Area above the Berkeley hills in the south to historic Alvarado Park at the north end in Richmond. https://www.ebparks.org/parks/wildcat/ HIKING DIRECTIONS: Starting at Alvarado Staging Area, head northeast on Wildcat Creek Trail for 0.23 miles. Pass Bonita Trail on your left and continue straight on Wildcat Creek Trail for 0.21 miles. Pass Belgium Trail on your left and continue straight on Wildcat Creek Trail for 1.57 miles. Pass Mezue Trail on your left and continue straight for 0.10 miles. Pass Leonards Trail on your left and continue straight for 0.18 miles. Cross a creek and pass Rifle Range Road Trail on your right (0.04 miles), then take Havey Canyon Trail on your left for 1.50 miles. Turn left onto Nimitz Way (paved road) for 0.68 miles. Turn left onto San Pablo Ridge Trail for 0.07 miles, pass Mezue Trail on your left again, and continue straight/right on San Pablo Ridge Trail for 1.21 miles. Pass Green Ridge Trail on your right and continue for 0.15 miles. At the four-way intersection, continue straight onto Belgum Trail for 0.20 miles. Pass Monte Cresta Trail on your right and continue straight/left on Belgum Trail for 0.65 miles. Turn right back onto Wildcat Creek Trail for 0.21 miles, then pass Bonita Trail on your right and continue for 0.23 miles back to the trailhead. PLEASE READ THE EVENT DESCRIPTION ABOVE BEFORE POSTING A MESSAGE.
JOURNEY: Walk the Camino de Santiago (Portuguese Way) 2026
Thu, Jun 4, 8:00 PMWalk the ancient Camino de Santiago in Spain/Portugal (Portuguese Way trail). Let us help you step into your pilgrim boots and take on the Camino in Spain! **Camino "Need to Know":** For a thousand years, pilgrims have traversed The Camino de Santiago. Follow in their footsteps as you **spend nine days walking** along the ancient trails that cut across the landscape of Portugal and Northern Spain. * See all the details here: [Portuguese Camino 2026](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/journeys-1/camino-santiago-portuguese-2026) **Your Journey on the Camino in Portugal/Spain:** This is not a race. This is a slower-paced Camino experience where we average about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) per day and cover a total of 113 kilometers (70 miles). Completing this tour will make you eligible to receive the **Compostela**, the official certificate of completion issued by the Cathedral in Santiago. Join expert Camino guides who will be with you every step of the way to share facts about the history of this sacred trail and tips on how to make the most of the trip. **What is it like to hike the Camino with Bold Spirit Travel?:** * This trip starts in Porto, Portugal. * A local, bilingual guide will be on the trip to help you along on your journey. * Additionally, a support van will assist with your luggage, freeing you up to travel light during the day. You will carry a day pack. * All hotels, breakfasts, and delicious dinners with wine are included in the tour price. * We do not stay in hostels. We stay in inns and hotels with en suite bathrooms and hot showers! * You can choose to share a room with a new friend or upgrade to your own private room. * This is a small group adventure. This means no more than 15 people. * There will be a private Zoom call before this trip so that you can meet the other guests on the journey. **How to get in touch and learn more about the Camino:** * Want to learn more and dive deeper? We are glad that you are curious. * Contact us to set up a phone call about planning your time on the trail. * Or, attend a live Camino Info Session ([ask us](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/contact) for dates on those). **More:** * Are you ready to embark on **your** Camino? Leave the details to us and get ready to be impressed by this magical experience. * **See all the details here: [Portuguese Camino 2026](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/journeys-1/camino-santiago-portuguese-2026)** * [This is a paid event. ](https://www.wetravel.com/trips/portuguese-way-camino-2026-bold-spirit-travel-llc-52968211)
Wildflower Field Trips on Ring Mountain, Tiburon
Sun, May 24, 5:00 PM**Leader: Alison Pence or Karen Madsen** Join Ring Mountain Docents Alison Pence and Karen Madsen for short wildflower forays 10 am to 12:30. See schedule below. Each few weeks different wildflowers become showy. There are two possible meeting locations off Paradise Road in Tiburon. **Please check which trailhead to meet at for the date you plan to go.** See map below. · **Taylor Road Trailhead** **off** Paradise Dr. From Taylor Road Trailhead, the group will walk out and back about 2 miles. · **Phyllis Ellman Trailhead** **on** Paradise Dr. The Phyllis Ellman/Loop trail hike is about 2.5 miles, with about 600 feet of elevation gain and drop. | | **Date** | **Time** | **Name/location** | **Leader** | | --- | ---- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Sun. | 4/5/26 | 10-12:30 | Taylor Rd Trailhead | Alison Pence | | Thurs. | 4/23/26 | 10-12:30 | Paradise Dr. - Phyllis Ellman Trailhead | Karen Madsen | | Sun. | 5/24/26 | 10-12:30 | Taylor Rd Trailhead | Alison Pence | | Tues. | 5/26/26 | 10-12:30 | Paradise Dr. - Phyllis Ellman Trailhead | Karen Madsen | | Sun. | 6/7/26 | 10-12:30 | Taylor Rd Trailhead | Alison Pence | **Bring:** Water, lunch/snack, rain gear, and hiking poles if desired. **If you have not done so already, please sign the** [CNPS Marin 2026 Waiver](https://app.waiversign.com/e/605434825bd9a600198d4bcc/doc/605436925bd9a600198d4c79,6791226ab8771f0012d5789c?eventName=CNPS%20Marin%202026%20Waiver) **Note**: Destructive invasive plant pathogens and weed seeds can be transported to sensitive plant habitats when contaminated soil or plant material is shed from footwear, equipment (such as hiking poles), and other personal items. See these 2 brochures for how you can minimize your impact. [Pocket Guide - Every Step Counts](https://cc.cnps.org/phytophthora/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/PROTECT-OUR-NATURAL-AREAS-011525.pdf) and [Cleanliness Tips for Hikers](https://cc.cnps.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/CC-06/Trail-user-start-clean-stay-clean-ver5-16-23.pdf)
Yosemite North Rim Backpacking
Fri, Jun 12, 3:00 PM
Yosemite! MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND w/ Valley Floor Activities - 4 days/3 nights!
Fri, May 22, 9:00 PMWe have done Yosemite before on the group. And each and every time it fills up early with lotos of people with big sadness they can not go. Plain and simple . . . our events have limited size. So when it fill . . . it fills. Yosemite is that amazing and iconic place that everyone loves to go. ***There are Saturday/Sunday planned Easy, Medium and Hard Options.*** We will divide by interest for different hikes. **The "Easy" route:** * Yosemite Falls (the easy walk) * Tunnel View * Glacier Point * Bridal Veil Falls * Mirror Lake * The Meadows * The River * Ahwahnee Hotel **Planned Medium Hike:** * Vernal/Nevada Mist Trail **Planned Difficult Hikes** * Yosemite Falls * 4 Mile Trail * Pohono Trail **To attend this event:** * **RSVP** on this event * **[CLICK HERE for the payment link.](https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/2MT6V38JJTEVJ)**[ ](https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/2MT6V38JJTEVJ) * **[Click Here and fill out our Attendees google form](https://forms.gle/7LktppE3Uqo67XSs5)** (this is also what the carpool info gets built from) **Notes:** * **[You MUST take care of payment to be confirmed to go.](https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/2MT6V38JJTEVJ)** * After payment you will get a confirmation email from Paypal * You do NOT need a paypal account. Click the process as guest, or use any credit or debit card. * If you have a X2 or a Plus One . . . just do the link a 2nd or 3rd time. * You may see LOTS of people RSVP on the event. Many do RSVP and not take care of payment. * Event is limited in size. When filled the payment link will be disabled. * If you not ready to commit yet . . . * **[Click Here and fill out our google "interest" form](https://forms.gle/7LktppE3Uqo67XSs5)** (there is a box for "interested and keep me in the loop") **Includes:** * Site (on private land) for a three day weekend * All Firewood & propane heaters provided. * Flush restrooms (that are clean) * (free)(hot) Showers available * Restaurants and Grocery adjacent * Pool and Jacuzzi available. * Super Civilized Camping. * Perfect for the beginner and first timers. * Many come solo. * Come alone and leave with friends. Come with friends & leave with more friends. **Tell me about food and everything else . . .** The logistics of providing food for every possible diet, as well as food prep issues is just not feasible or safe. AND Due to varied dietary needs and food contact issues, it's better if bring what you like and prep it. **What gear do I need?** The only specialized gear you need is Tent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping Pad (yoga mat). Everything else is household items you already have. **Special note:** this is Tent camping. No RV. No Trailers. No giant campervans. **Can I park my car next to my tent?** Sniffing tires, oil, exhaust and fuel? Yuck!!! You cars will be close. But not on top of us. Cars on one side. Humans on the other. If we overflow our parking area . . . there is an overflow parking area. **Carpools?** * Carpool info goes out ONLY to paid attendees. *(it really sucks to set up a carpool with a person who is not actually going)* * Carpool info ONLY goes out to those who fill out the [ATTENDEES/CARPOOL FORM ](https://forms.gle/7LktppE3Uqo67XSs5) *(this way it is reliable info)* * Carpool info goes out all at once *(not as you sign on)* * Carpool info goes out 1 week before the event. Too early and most carpools fall apart. *It really sucks when your ride canceled at asked for a refund a month ago but did not tell you. Carpools info sent when it is stable of who is attending.* * Carpool in week before makes sense because that's when people can really determine schedule and departure time and availability. **Refunds?** If requested 2 weeks before event start: 100% refund. If requested less than 2 weeks: 100% Full Credit be applied to ANY future event we run. ***Questions?*** [CLICK HERE to send a Direct Message](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881) OTHER INFO: * *[Carpool info](https://www.meetup.com/MoreToExplore/events/282458970/)* * *[Newbie Camping Advice All things GEAR](https://www.meetup.com/MoreToExplore/events/282543094/)* * *[Newbie Camping Advice All things FOOD](https://www.meetup.com/MoreToExplore/events/282543120/)* * *[General Policies](https://www.meetup.com/MoreToExplore/events/282460572/)* This event is cross-posted to several groups. The number RSVP'd is not accurate. **ONLY Paid attendees are actually going to be attending.** [To See MORE of those RSVP'd](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/311055925/) [CLICK HERE](https://www.meetup.com/twofeet/join/) to join in on the other fun events planned. **Notice:** We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, gender preference, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, national identity, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, political beliefs or even for belly button lint. We welcome all, and that includes you!
Wildflower Field Trips on Ring Mountain, Tiburon
Tue, May 26, 5:00 PM**Leader: Alison Pence or Karen Madsen** Join Ring Mountain Docents Alison Pence and Karen Madsen for short wildflower forays 10 am to 12:30. See schedule below. Each few weeks different wildflowers become showy. There are two possible meeting locations off Paradise Road in Tiburon. **Please check which trailhead to meet at for the date you plan to go.** See map below. · **Taylor Road Trailhead** **off** Paradise Dr. From Taylor Road Trailhead, the group will walk out and back about 2 miles. · **Phyllis Ellman Trailhead** **on** Paradise Dr. The Phyllis Ellman/Loop trail hike is about 2.5 miles, with about 600 feet of elevation gain and drop. | | **Date** | **Time** | **Name/location** | **Leader** | | --- | ---- | ---- | ------------- | ------ | | Sun. | 4/5/26 | 10-12:30 | Taylor Rd Trailhead | Alison Pence | | Thurs. | 4/23/26 | 10-12:30 | Paradise Dr. - Phyllis Ellman Trailhead | Karen Madsen | | Sun. | 5/24/26 | 10-12:30 | Taylor Rd Trailhead | Alison Pence | | Tues. | 5/26/26 | 10-12:30 | Paradise Dr. - Phyllis Ellman Trailhead | Karen Madsen | | Sun. | 6/7/26 | 10-12:30 | Taylor Rd Trailhead | Alison Pence | **Bring:** Water, lunch/snack, rain gear, and hiking poles if desired. **If you have not done so already, please sign the** [CNPS Marin 2026 Waiver](https://app.waiversign.com/e/605434825bd9a600198d4bcc/doc/605436925bd9a600198d4c79,6791226ab8771f0012d5789c?eventName=CNPS%20Marin%202026%20Waiver) **Note**: Destructive invasive plant pathogens and weed seeds can be transported to sensitive plant habitats when contaminated soil or plant material is shed from footwear, equipment (such as hiking poles), and other personal items. See these 2 brochures for how you can minimize your impact. [Pocket Guide - Every Step Counts](https://cc.cnps.org/phytophthora/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/PROTECT-OUR-NATURAL-AREAS-011525.pdf) and [Cleanliness Tips for Hikers](https://cc.cnps.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/CC-06/Trail-user-start-clean-stay-clean-ver5-16-23.pdf)
Trusted by millions worldwide
Popular groups
Backpackers of the American West
" Last-Minute Backpackers " Camping, Hiking, Outdoors & More
The Turtles - Backpacking for Women
Come Walk With Me
" NorCal Hikers " Get out and explore locally and the world!
Mt. Tam Meditation and Forest Bathing
Four Corners Hiking & Beer!
Norcal Bicycle Touring
Frequently asked questions
Related content
Discover more groups and events that match your interests