Backpacking Trips

Mazamas Backpacking Trips

2009 Backpacks (NOTE: These backpacks were scheduled during the 2009 climbing season. They should give you some idea of the timing and destination of possible backpacks in 2010. In April and May, people will start adding backpacks and you should check this page as it is updated for those in 2010 or find the information in the Mazama Bulletin.)

Want to get out to new places? Plan now for summer car camps and backpacks. Keep your eye on this section as we’ll list backpacks and car camps (with hikes) to new areas you have yet to explore. If you are interested, contact the leader for details. These fill up quickly so reserve your space and submit an application.

BP July 21-23 Goat Rocks Exploration [Level B] Tom Davidson Trip Completed
A three-day exploration of the Goat Rocks wilderness area, nicely located equidistant (and with great views) of Mt. Rainer, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens.  We’ll hike about 20 miles but not all with backpacks.  The first day we’ll drive up and back pack up to our tent sites in Lily Basin where the lupine and other wildflowers should be outrageous.  The next day we’ll day-hike along the PCT up through Snowgrass Flats and then hike up Old Snowy with views down to the Packwood Glacier and over to Mt. Rainier.  Continuing, we’ll hike off-trail down to Goat Lake with an optional hike up Hawkeye Point.  Finally, we’ll return to our campsites and enjoy a wonderful sunset with the alpenglow of Mt. Adams.  The third day, we’ll pack up after a leisurely breakfast and head down to our cars for the drive back.  Doing this mid-week will guarantee no crowds to compete with in this popular area.  Contact Tom Davidson (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to sign-up or for more details.

BP Aug 07-10 Steens Mountain Backpack. [Level C]  Skip Smith Trip Completed
Come and enjoy the Steens on this backpack via the Desert Trail. This is a challenging off-trail backpack for hikers who love C level hikes. We start on the Alvord Desert side and go up 5600ft in 1 ½ days. Once at 9500ft we’ll explore the cirques of six glaciated canyons. We’ll camp at Little Wildhorse Lake and Russell’s Viewpoint. Highlights: spectacular views, water a plenty, wildflowers galore & the rewards of a challenge. Plus perhaps pronghorn, mule deer, or Kiger Mustang. In past years, when we got an early start at Frog Springs, heat was not a problem. Contact Leader for more details and to sign-up via phone or email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

CC Aug 25-26 Mt Rainier Park Hikes and Overnight [Level A] Tom Davidson Trip Completed
Explore the other Paradise Park on the slopes of Mt Rainier for an overnight car camp at Cougar Rock campground. Drive up on Tuesday the 25th, set up camp then explore Paradise Park in the afternoon. On Wednesday do another short hike above Reflection Lake and then drive home. Contact leader to sign-up (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Wilderness limit of 12.

BP September 1-2 Yocum Ridge [Level C]  Leader Tom Davidson Trip Completed
17.4 miles, 3800 ft.  Enjoy the beauty and sleep under the stars. Hike past Ramona Falls and up Yocum Ridge to enjoy the wildflowers and view across the Reid and Sandy Glaciers of Mt Hood. Hike down for lunch at the Zigzag Inn on Wednesday. Travel light, share equipment. We will need to carry water up. Contact leader for details and to sign-up or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Wilderness limit of 12.

CC Sept 5,6,7 – 4th Annual Round-the-Mountain on Mt. Hood:Trip Completed
Hike the Timberline Trail around Mt. Hood with only a day pack as you are shuttled to various trailheads and then back each day to spend the night at the Mazama Lodge (with showers and wonderful food).  Great time, astounding views, new friends. Clear your calendar. This event fills up quickly. Applications are on-line. For more information visit the Mazama website at: http://www.mazamas.org/your/adventure/starts-here/C467/

BP September 22-23 Jefferson Park [Level B]  Leader Tom Davidson > Trip Completed
10.2 miles, 1800 ft. Tuesday we will hike up the Whitewater trail to the lovely lakes basin north of Mt Jefferson. Wednesday we will take in the stunning views along Park Ridge then head back to Portland by suppertime. Travel light and share equipment. Contact leader to sign-up or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Wilderness limit of 12.

CC September 26-27 (Sat and Sun) Central Oregon Car Camp and Hike Leaders: Mary and Larry Stadler Trip Completed
Join us for a wonderful weekend of car camping in the Sister’s area. We’ll meet at the Coldsprings Campground at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and go on one or more day hikes. On Saturday, we may choose from among Tam McArthur Rim (9.4mi & 1650ft), Four-in-One Cone (8.6mi & 1500ft), Black Crater (7.4mi & 2500ft). There will be a potluck on Saturday night. On Sunday, we’ll go on shorter hikes—Belknap Crater (8.4mi & 1670ft); Matthieu Lakes (6 mi & 800ft) or maybe Black Butte (3.8mi & 1900ft). Total group size will be limited to 24. Distance and elevation will be determined when the day hikes are selected. Drive is approx. 150 miles from Portland. Once in Sisters head west on Hwy 242 (McKenzie Pass) for 5 miles to the Coldsprings Campground. Carpooling is highly recommended. Contact leaders Mary and Larry Stadler to sign-up. Dr. 300. TH Pass. Wilderness area; group-limit 12.

Other Clubs Backpacking Trips - for information only

Jul 2-6 Backpack Sierra City to Belden CA PCT - Class C+ Trip Completed

91.7 miles of PCT hiking northbound. We will take 5 days to hike and 2 days to drive down and back. The hike will average 18 miles per day. The high point being Deer Lake just before Packer Lake Saddle at 7430. Decline to 2900 feet at Middle Fork of the Feather River accent back up to the Spanish Peak area at 6800 feet and drop down to Belden at 2300 feet. They will be long days, but this is the time of year when we have the most sun light. Hourly breaks. Only the experienced hiker in good physical shape should register. Call Linda Conrad at 360-837-3875 or email at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Prehike meeting required for planning.

Jul 30-Aug 3 (Thurs-Mon) Backpack in the Marble Mountains, Mt Etna Summit to Marble Valley Guard Station - Class C Trip Completed
30 miles of which 25 is PCT. Come join us for a five day backpack through the beautiful Marble Mountains of Northern CA just west of I-5. We will drive to Northern CA leaving Wednesday Night and start hiking on Thursday. We will average 8 miles a day coming out the last 5 miles and driving home on Monday the 3rd of August. The high point is 7100 feet just before Shackleford Creek where we will spend a night or two depending on our travel time with Merrill Hugo’s group camping at Shackleford Creek and Summit Lake trail junction with the PCT. To register call Linda Conrad at 360-837-3875 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Aug 14-16 (Fri-Sun) Mt Adams Wilderness Exploratory Backpack - Class A Trip Completed
Explore Mt Adams and Bird Creek Meadows for beautiful wildflower display. We will start at Cold Spring Camp on Friday; day hike to Bird Creek Meadow then return to vehicles & camp overnight. Saturday backpack about 7 miles to Horseshoe Meadow and camp overnight. Sunday we’ll return to vehicles & drive home. Limited to 12 persons. Dog friendly trip. Contact your leaders for meeting place and time. Leaders: Roger & Karen Yanhs Anderson, 360-450-9199 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Aug 20-23 Mt St Helens - All around - Backpack trip: Trip Completed Leader David Burdick (503) 654 2070. Sierra Club. Exploratory through the Sierra Club: This 3-day, 29-mile loop around Mount St. Helens links old-growth forests to alpine lakes and meadows and offers a front-row look at the leftovers of this volcano’s famous eruption on May 18, 1980. Despite the difficulties involved with hiking the Loowit Trail, a circuit of Mount St. Helens is one of the most spectacular hikes in the Northwest. The treeless plains offer broad vistas, including steam rising out of the crater, rocks falling from the precipitous slopes, the barren Mount Margaret ridge, eerie Spirit Lake and the 150-foot Loowit Falls as it plunges from the breach in the crater. Reservations need to be made at least ten days in advance (August 10th). Email leader at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  or call as above. 31 miles 10,000 ft. Dr. 240 miles. TH Pass 6 p.m. This is a wilderness area, group-limit is 12

Aug 29-Sep 7 (Sat-Mon) Backpack in the Sierras PCT - Class C+ Trip Completed
Total mileage is 111.5 miles. We will start at Sonora Pass and head south to Red’s Meadow. We will average 14 miles per day. High point is 1100 feet. The hiking has many up and downs. Only the strong should register. We will have a food drop at Tuolumne Pass. To register call Linda Conrad at 360-837-3875 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).