This summer, let’s make the Hudson’s Bay Company (1849) Heritage Trail a part of your personal herstory!
Are you an experienced hiker looking to get into backpacking, but lack the confidence or skills to do so? Then this program is for you! Read more here
https://www.hopemountain.org/public-programs/womens_intro_to_backpacking_2025
Come and join us in this female only introduction to backpacking. Our group size is purposely kept small for a safe and inclusive environment, with a maximum of 15 participants, plus a minimum of 3 trip leaders.
This year’s trip will take us to one of the most popular sections of the HBC Trail: the Conglomerate Flats Campground + Palmer's Pond.
We will learn the foundational skills of backpacking, all while exploring the historical women and their contributions to the trail and local area.
Come hike through meadows, observe wildlife, and build your outdoor skills with a like-minded group.
Learn about Adventure Smart’s 3Ts: Trip Planning, Training and The Essentials, how to select and use the right gear, options for backcountry food, Leave No Trace principles, and more!
Itinerary:
All 3 sessions are crucial to the group's success and enjoyment so all three are MANDATORY for all participants to attend.
1. Wednesday, June 11, 2025
7-9pm “Pack and Plan”: A Gear and trip planning online zoom meeting
We will get to know each other, discuss the plan for the backpacking trip, discuss the gear you have and suggest gear you may need to change or acquire. We will also talk about meal planning and other logistics.
2. Saturday, July 5, 2025
9am-1pm A half-day test run hike in Hope
Before we head hours into the backcountry, we will practice together carrying our heavy overnight packs on the Thacker Mountain Loop trail in Hope. Please practice packing your gear as you would for our trip, test the weight distribution, make necessary adjustments and get a real feel of what to expect with your weighted overnight backpack before we enter the backcountry. Please ensure you wear the same footwear and backpack with ALL the gear you plan to use for the trip.
3. Friday, July 18, 2025
10:00AM Backpacking Trip
Gather in Hope at the Rec Centre (1005 6 Ave, Hope) check-in, sign waivers.
Participants must arrange their own transportation to Hope. If you're interested in carpooling, please discuss and arrange during the Zoom or test run hike.
10:30AM – convoy together to the trailhead.
Drive 50 kms on the Coquihalla Highway 5 and take exit #228 Coquihalla Lakes. The Jacobson Lake Campground where we will park is at the 45.8 Km marker on the Tulameen River Forest Service Road. See MAP
12:30PM Lunch and hike in
After arriving at the Jacobsen Lake, we will have lunch, pack up, and hike in to our campsite at Conglomerate Flats and set up camp.
Saturday, July 19, 2025
After breakfast, we’ll hike for the day up to the famous Palmer’s Pond. This ecologically sensitive area is home to vulnerable alpine meadow plants - an example of the importance of practicing the Leave No Trace principles we will be learning about.
Sunday, July 20, 2025
After breakfast, we will take down camp and hike back to the trailhead
Be aware that times are approximate! Start and end times may vary slightly depending on speed of the group, weather, and road conditions, etc.
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