Backpacking Trips

  • OCLB - McGee Pass Backpack

    • Fri, July 11, 2025
    • 8:00 AM (PDT)
    • Tue, July 15, 2025
    • 2:00 PM (PDT)
    • McGee Pass Trailhead
    • 0
    • 5 registrants
    Registration is closed

    Great Outdoors Orange County/Long Beach presents

    McGee Pass Backpack

    July 11 - July 15, 2025

    Trip Leader: Juan Carlos Hernandez, email: jceatm24@msn.com, phone:  805-302-0717 

    John Muir Wilderness?

    Yes Please!


    This is an exciting and challenging 5-day backpacking trip under the Easter Sierra Sky. Tully Lake, located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada region, is described as a serene and picturesque destination that embodies the rugged beauty of the area. The lake is praised for its crystal-clear waters surrounded by towering granite peaks, lush alpine meadows, and evergreen forests. The dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Nevada adds to the allure. We will leave from the McGee Creek trailhead at 8 AM on the morning of July 11th at 8,045 feet. At first, our ascent will be moderate. After passing locally known Round Lake at the 5-mile mark, we will climb more steeply, heading to Big McGee Lake at about 7 ½ miles at altitude 10,472 feet. There are heavily used campsites at the lake where we will stay the night. We will be surrounded by the colorful walls of the Red Mountain and White Mountain.

    On day two, we will cover 5.5 miles, crossing over McGee Pass at 11,909 feet, and then descend steeply to Fish Creek, crossing the creek at about 10,600 feet to camp at beautiful Tully Lake.

    We will spend the remainder of our stay at Tully Lake and enjoy exploring the surrounding lakes and valleys. Plenty of great views, fishing, day hikes, or just relaxing around the scenic lake.

    This backpacking trip is considered strenuous/moderate, and you must be able to keep a moderate pace with the entire group. The trip will be limited to 6 people max including the trip leader and interested members must register with the GO, be members in good standing and have experience backpacking overnight 4 nights or more.


    Things to consider.

    • July 11th Arrive at Campgroup and acclimate to elevation
    • July12th Departure from Trailhead at 8am sharp
    • July 12th spend the night at Big McGee Lake and explore the lake at your leisure 
    •  July 13th departure for Tully Lake at 8am and ascend McGee Pass, spend the night at Tully Lake.
    •  July 14th explore Tully Lake and surrounding Trails 
    • July 15thth Pack up and Return to Trailhead at 8am 
    • Dates subject to change based on permit availability 
    • It is imperative you must be able to keep up with group on this trip as we will be covering 13 miles on the last day of the trip to the trail head
    •  Acclimation campground close to trailhead McGee Creek Campground 37° 33' 51.9998" N 118° 47' 4.9999" W on July11, 2024
    • Two campgrounds will be reserved for participants arriving that day.
    • Cancelation policy: 100% refund prior to June 27thth 2025 notice in order to provide wait list participants enough time to organize.
    • Please be aware that you are not registered for this backpack trip until the trip leader has determined you are qualified, and you have completed and submitted the registration form and payment of $40.
    • The registration form needs to be returned to the trip leader and payment made within 7 days of receiving the registration form or the trip leader will contact the next person on the waiting list, and you will forfeit your spot.
    •  Please email the trip leader or call to set up a brief assessment before registration will be sent out to interested members. 

    • Click here for a map of the trailhead.



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  • OCLB - Upper Rock Creek Trail Backpack

    • Wed, August 13, 2025
    • 8:00 AM (PDT)
    • Sun, August 17, 2025
    • 2:00 PM (PDT)
    • Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead
    • 0
    • 1 registrant

    Great Outdoors Orange County/Long Beach presents

    Upper Rock Creek Trail Backpack

    August 13-17, 2025

    Contact: Larry Purtle lvpurtle@hotmail.com (562) 485-7149   


    The Perseids Meteor Shower peaks in September and dark skies at night in the Sierras are a great way to see them and also visit a magnificent alpine environ. This is a 5-day 24-mile loop backpacking trip, starting from Horseshoe Meadows along the Cottonwood Lakes trail, up over New Army Pass to Upper Rock Creek, then proceeding along the PCT to Chicken Spring Lake, and return to the trailhead on the Cottonwood Pass trail.


    Notes:

    Notes:

    1. This trip is limited to 5 hikers plus the leader. The online sign-up does NOT guarantee a spot on this trip. The number of people who can participate is limited to the number of permits received, which is 6. Consequently, permit slots will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis, established based on the trip leader receiving a signed registration form and payment. All others will be added to a waiting list.

    2. It is a moderate trip because of elevation gain.

    3. The date of the trip is subject to change due to the difficulty of obtaining permits.

    4. The higher elevations may still have snow so you may need to bring appropriate clothing and gear such

    as micro-spikes. We will know better as the date approaches.

    5. Sorry, no pets.

    Although not part of the official trip, it is essential to drive up on or before Tuesday 8/12 and camp near the trailhead, Cottonwood Lakes Campground, to better acclimatize to the altitude of about 10,000 feet and rest upfor the hike the next day. Campsites cannot be reserved ahead at this location. Diamox prescription medicineis HIGHLY recommended for 3 days prior to avoid altitude sickness.

    8/10, Day 1: Hike 5.3 miles to S Fork Lakes, to 11,073’ elevation. Depending on how we feel, we may go on to Long Lake or High Lake in preparation for ascending New Army Pass on day 2.

    8/11, Day 2: we will ascend New Army Pass, 12,300’. It has rocky switchbacks that proceed from the South Lakes basin to above the tree line with outstanding views. Our destination will be Upper Rock Creek. It is 6.5 miles from the S Fork Lakes. We can stop early at Soldier Lakes if necessary.

    8/12, Day 3: we will go to Chicken Spring Lake 11,258’. 6 miles. Perseids Meteor shower peaking. 8/13, Day 4: rest day at Chicken Spring Lake. We will look for the chicken, or do day hikes to explore the area. Perseids Meteor shower peaking.

    8/14, Day 5: Return to Horseshoe Meadows along the Cottonwood Pass trail.

    You will need your ten essentials and appropriate backpacking gear. Please request a list if needed. Carpooling is recommended to reduce fuel costs and vehicle emissions. 

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  • SD - Backpacking - Boundary Waters Canoe Area (MN)

    • Sun, September 14, 2025
    • 5:00 PM (PDT)
    • Sat, September 20, 2025
    • 3:00 PM (PDT)
    • Boundary Waters Canoe Area (MN), Entry Point #80 Larch Lake
    • 0
    • 9 registrants

    Boundary Waters Canoe Area:

    The Crown Jewel of Minnesota

    Sunday Sept 14 - Saturday Sept 20, 2025


    Trip Description: Join us for this once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the crown jewel of Minnesota nature, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Located in northern Minnesota on the Canadian border, this area is famous for its pristine lakes, singing loons and great fishing. This trip will be a backpacking canoe trip, meaning every participant will work in community with others on the trip to share responsibilities like cooking, building fires, switching off paddling, and securing food supplies overnight. Trips to the BWCA are considered a right of passage in Minnesota culture, and I am excited to share this experience with you! 

    Note: Flights to/from MSP Airport are not included. Our backpacking trip will start at the bunkhouse the day before our permit start date of Sept 15th (Mon) until the end of our permit on Sept 21st. Plan an extra day on both ends for air travel to/from MSP Airport.

    Map Website:

    Route Overview: Starting on Saganaga Lake (Entry Point #55) we will travel north by boat tow to Saganaga Falls where we will begin our paddle down the Granite River! Orange line indicates our ~30 mile route. We will have two base camp days at the Campsite #2 and #3 of the trip, averaging 7-8mi/day traveling to and from. 

    Distance: ~30miles

    Route Type: One Way/Through


    Schedule:

    Sunday, Sept 14th

    Arrive to MSP, drive to Outfitters (5-6 hours). Overnight stay at Seagull Outfitters bunkhouse Entry Point #55. Equipment check.

    Monday, Sept 15th

    Depart from entry location, Point #55 Saganaga Lake and get tow boated to Saganaga Falls.  From Sagana Falls we will paddle south down the Granite River through 2 portages (35, 20, and 45 rods) and camp at sole Pine River campsite. Note: An additional 65 rod portage may be applicable depending on water levels.

    Tuesday, Sept 16th

    Wake up and begin down the Pine River and through 2 portages (45 and 15 rods). Paddle the largest lake in the BWCA, Gunflint Lake, to Little Gunflint/North Lake to camp for night. Note: An additional 100 rod portage to start may be applicable depending on water levels.

    Wednesday, Sept 17th

    Base camp day. Enjoy adventures in North Lake to see islands and other sites. Enjoy camp or fishing.

    Thursday, Sept 18th

    Canoe down South Lake through 2 portages (75 and 80 rods) to camp on Rose Lake for night.

    Friday, Sept 19th

    Base camp day. Enjoy adventures in Rose Lake to see islands and other sites. Enjoy camp or fishing.

    Saturday, Sept 20th

    Canoe out of BWCA through 3 portages (80, 80 and 20 rods) to exit #60 Duncan Lake. Return supplies to Seagull Outfitters. Return to MSP for flights home


    Cost: See per person registration type. This includes canoe rentals, permits, and Bunk House accommodations the night before, if available. Flights not included. Food and Travel (car ride north) coordination is recommended with the Trip Leader.

    Cancellation/Refund: Refunds are available until Aug 1st, 2025. Unless an alternate attendee is confirmed, a refund will not be provided after 8/1/2025.

    Travel: Coordination with the Trip Leader is encouraged. Flights are not included, but an early arrival Tuesday is recommended for the drive up to BWCA. You are responsible for your travel to the Outfitters, but Trip Leader assistance is available. Direct flights from San Diego to MSP are available through Sun Country and Delta Airlines. It is a 5-6 hour drive from the airport to the BWCA, so early arrival is critical.

    Experience: This trip does not require previous canoe/portage experience, and is considered an intermediate route due to the number of portages and one (1) base camp day included in the schedule. If you have never portaged or paddled, please let the Trip Leader know and they will be more than happy to explain skill requirements. We will be teaching these skills day 1 and on as well! 

    Weather: See above chart for weather information on our area of the BWCA. This is the end of the mosquito season, meaning mosquitos will be waning but this is always location dependent in the BWCA. This late in the season none are expected at this time.

    Bring: 10 Essentials (no kidding, every person needs a personal first aid kit); water filtration; food for each meal plus extra snacks; water bottle and filter system; sleeping bag and pad; tent; appropriate footwear (land and water); layered clothing; jacket; rain gear; wide hat; compass; toilet paper & trowel; jet boil/compact camping stove; fire starter; headlamp; sunglasses; sunscreen; insect repellant; camera and entertainment (book, card game, etc). 

    Note: Some communal equipment will be utilized, like jet boils/stove and Duluth packs to reduce duplicative equipment being carried.

    Other Considerations: As with any backcountry experience, this one is "Leave no Trace" - our trash comes out with us. Active bear area - mandatory use of either bear cannisters or hanging food sacks.

    Trip Leader: Tyler Roosden (651.497.1611) or at TheRoosdens@gmail.com


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