Beginner BackPack

Have you wanted to go backpacking, but didn’t have the gear or experience? Well, PEEC has the adventure you’ve been waiting for! This summer, PEEC will offer a backpacking trip for beginners, open to adults and families. The group will on an overnight backpacking trip starting at Santa Barbara Campground in Carson National Forest. Participants will meet at the Los Alamos Nature Center on Saturday, June 29 at 9 a.m. and carpool to the Santa Barbara Campground, which is about a 1.5 hour drive.

Backpackers should be in good physical condition and able to hike up to 5 miles per day, on average, carrying a moderately heavy pack at high altitudes.

The group will park at the campground and hike up trail #24 for 3 miles to the junction of the Middle Fork and West Fork of the Rio Santa Barbara and camp in a meadow there. On Saturday afternoon, the group will take a day hike up the canyon on trail #25. On Sunday, June 30 the group will hike back to the cars at the campground and return to Los Alamos mid-afternoon.

The group will meet at the Los Alamos Nature Center at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 24 to go over gear, discuss food and clothing, and answer any questions. Essential backpacking gear, such as tents, sleeping bags, stoves, and backpacks is available for participants to borrow if they do not have their own. This will be coordinated at the program orientation. PEEC's backpacking tents are 2- and 3-person capacity tents, so you may be asked to share a tent with a buddy of the same gender if you are not a part of a group.

Jean Dewart of LAMountaineers will lead this backpacking trip. Jean is an experienced backpacker, hiker, skier, and kayaker.

PLEASE NOTE: You must register at the PEEC website at https://peecnature.org/events/details/?id=29060, or in person at the Nature Center in Los Alamos. Registration is required to save your spot. If you have any questions, please contact PEEC. Space is limited to 12 participants, so sign up today!

Admission: $30/non-member adult, $20/non-member child (12 and under); $25/PEEC or LAM member adult, $15/PEEC or LAM member child (12 and under).