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Women’s Beginning Backpacking
$895.00
Dates
- 2025 - June 20-22 | July 11-13 | July 18-20 | Aug 15-17 | Aug 29-31 | Sep 12-14 | Sep 26-28
Description
This women’s hiking trip is designed to teach you essential backpacking skills while connecting you with the wilderness, and other adventurous ladies. Our experienced female guides have countless tips and tricks to help you stay safe and comfortable on the trail. We will handle all the logistics, while also providing you a detailed gear list. Our owner and office manager (both women as well) will be available to answer any questions you may have before your trip!
Get outside, meet like-minded women, and experience the wonders of the wilderness up close! For three days and two nights, we will hike into the alpine, carrying only what we need and enjoying beautiful mountains, forests, and alpine lakes. This women’s hiking trip follows one of our favorite loops near Mammoth Lakes. Highlights of our route include Thousand Island Lake, Garnet Lake, Banner Peak, Mt. Ritter, and the Minarets!
Inclusions
Our women’s hiking trip includes awesome female guides, permits, tents, kitchen gear, shuttle to the trailhead, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. We will leave vehicles at Mammoth Mountain during the trip. We will take the Devil’s Postpile shuttle to the trailhead. Shuttle is included in your trip price and is organized by SMC. Our meals are healthy and prepared by your guide before the trip. We use good quality dehydrated ingredients to make a variety of delicious, protein-packed meals.
Prerequisites
Prior day hiking experience is required. No prior overnight experience is required but you need to be in good physical condition, able to walk 7 miles, and gain up to 1,800 feet daily while carrying a multi-day backpack.
Acclimatization & Physical Training
For proper acclimatization, we suggest spending at least one night at a moderate altitude, higher than 8,000 feet, just prior to the start of the journey. See our detailed tips on acclimatizing an physical training in the “Resources” tab.
Distance and Elevations
Day 1 – Trailhead to Shadow Creek: 4.9 miles, 1250 feet of gain, 550 feet of down
Day 2 – Shadow Creek to Badger Lakes: 6.5 miles, 1850 feet of gain, 1320 feet of down
Day 3 – Badger Lakes to Trailhead: 6.3 miles, 642 feet of gain, 1850 feet of down
If we choose the shorter loop this reduces the Day 2 distance to 3 miles and the Day 3 distance back to the trailhead to 5 miles. Elevation gains and losses also are reduced on both days.
Day 1
We will meet in Mammoth, do a gear check and then take the Red’s Meadow shuttle to Agnew Meadows. From here we take the River Trail along the San Joaquin River, past Sierra Junipers with their papery bark and spreading branches. A short steep climb takes us to the glacial bowl holding beautiful Shadow Lake. Here we find a great swimming rock for the brave. We follow Shadow Creek and climb to our camp near the junction with the JMT.
Day 2
The sun greets us early here and, after a leisurely breakfast, we head into one of the most lovely places in the Mammoth area. A short pass crossing takes us to Garnet Lake and the other gems here (Ruby and Emerald) before dropping to the big expanse of Thousand Island Lake. We take lunch here and enjoy the views of Mounts Ritter and Banner before heading to camp at Badger Lakes.
Day 3
The sun greets us early here and, after a leisurely breakfast, we head into one of the most lovely places in the Mammoth area. A short pass crossing takes us to Garnet Lake and the other gems here (Ruby and Emerald) before dropping to the big expanse of Thousand Island Lake. We take lunch here and enjoy the views of Mounts Ritter and Banner before heading to camp at Badger Lakes.
Links
Rental Equipment
We have rental equipment available at checkout.
Reviews
Paul, Evolution Loop Backpacking Trip
“I went on the 6-day Evolution Loop backpacking trip. I had the time of my life. The scenery was stunningly beautiful. Our guides kept us safe, prepared excellent meals, and were very knowledgeable about the area. They were friendly and kept us informed about what to expect each day. I only wish the trip lasted more days. I’ll be back for more.”
More Reviews
Brecken, Women’s Beginning Backpacking
“This service is great! I talked at length prior to the trip with the office staff on several different occasions. They answered all my questions and made me feel comfortable with the decision to take the trip. They were always so happy to chat at length. It was easy to book and the service was perfect!”
Ken, John Muir Trail
“SMC and it’s staff were completely responsible for making my JMT trip such a wonderful experience. Very competent and helped me prepare for the journey from their wealth of experience and expertise! Highly recommend this company to anyone looking for an adventure in the Sierra!”
Collette, Death Valley Backpacking
“Death Valley backpack with SMC guide Larry Gumina was exceptional!! He made awesome dinners and guided through exciting conditions (running creeks!). What a trip!!”
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