Guided Backpacking Trips in California
We offer beginner to intermediate guided backpacking trips in Southern California, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Yosemite. Our trips are focused on adventure while giving you a learning enviroment where you can increase your skills, cababilities and confidence by leaps and bounds on a single trip!
Our trips make it easy for you to see the most beatiful places in California. We take care of the logistics, food, and make sure you have everything you need to have a safe and enjoyable trip!
Guided Backpacking Trip Scheule
We only offer a very small number of trips every year to give our clients the ulitmate experience and make sure you feel like every detail was taken care of for you.
These trips fill up VERY quickly, so if you'd like to be notified when we open up new trips, please email us at hello@theoutdoordads.com
Southern California Guided Backpacking Trips
Sequioa & Kings Canyon National Parks Guided Backpacking Trips
Yosemite National Park Guided Backpacking Trips
Types of Guided Backpacking Trips
Backpacking Trips for Beginners
Level 1 Trips:
- San Jacinto Peak Via Long Valley Trailhead
- San Bernardino Peak via Angelus Oaks Trailhead
- Dry Lake via South Fork Trail (non-winter)
- Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley
What these trips involve
We choose these trips for our backpacking basics course because even though they don't require advanced skills or experience, you'll find veteran backpackers out there every day enjoying their favorite local trails. On these 1-2 night trips, you'll learn...
- Basic trip planning
- Gear selection
- Food prep
- Camp site selection
- Basic navigation (GPS & map and compass)
Intermediate Backpacking Trips
Level 2 Trips:
- San Jacinto Peak Via Marian Mountain Trailhead
- San Gorgonio Mountain via South Fork Trail
- San Gorgonio Wilderness Traverse from Angelus Oaks to the South Fork Trail
- Dry Lake via South Fork Trail (Intro to Winter Camping)
- Rae Lakes Loop
- Clouds Rest and Sunrise Lakes (Yosemite)
What these trips involve
These trips require slightly more skills and experience and/or a higher level of physical fitness. This allows us to explore farther, see more, and get away from the crowds. On these 2-4 night trips, you'll learn...
- Overview of basic skills
- Longer (3+ days) trip planning
- Off-trail navigation and route finding
- Full 3-season readiness (including shoulder seasons)
Advanced Backpacking Trips
Level 3 Trips:
- San Gorgonio Mountain (winter)
- San Gorgonio via San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail
- Dry Lake via South Fork Trail (winter)
- Section Hike of the Yosemite High Route
What these trips involve
We choose these trips for our backpacking basics course because even though they don't require advanced skills or experience, you'll find veteran backpackers out there every day enjoying their favorite local trails. On these 1-2 night trips, you'll learn...
- Overview of basic and intermediate skills
- Advanced off-trial navigation and route finding
- Planning for winter or shoulder season trips
- Snow travel and safety (season permitting)