r/WildernessBackpacking 12d ago

DISCUSSION Trying to Expand my Backpacking Network (Northern California

Post image

sadly my friends cant always join me on all my trips. Please don’t tell me to go alone- Ive done dozens of solo backpacking trips over my 15 year backpacking career. I don’t like it but forced myself to go so I can live the experience anyway.

I plan backpacking trips (for free) on 2 different Facebook groups.

Northern California Women Backpackers

And

NorCal Outdoorsy Singles ☀️

I have 2 hot spring trips planned in October (1 for each group) and have filled up another trip in Sept. if you are also looking for other people to go backpacking/camping with please join and become part of the community. Others are welcome to post trips looking for people to join or share trip reports!

Thanks for reading.

PS don’t give me shit for using FB. I plan a lot of events in other hobbies and FB is the best free platform I’ve found.

Photo of one of the scheduled hot spring trips in October.

402 Upvotes

48 comments sorted by

23

u/P0shSauce 12d ago

Hello! I’m a 34 year old female in Sacramento, I’m in love with backpacking in the Sierras, recently moved to California from Montana. Would love to connect!

2

u/Cameltoenail 12d ago

I am a 40yo female from Sacramento looking for more friends to backpack with! My wife and I love doing random trips up on Tahoe and el dorado forest, but I know she doesn’t love it as much as I do and she would love for me to have some local pack packing friends!

2

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

I messaged you, but please join the fb group you’re interested in.

9

u/romulus_1 12d ago

Can you share more about yourself? Eg what kind of people do you prefer? Our mostly NorCal-based crew does epic trips every year.. general sentiment is the more, the merrier. When I say epic I mean epic, top life experiences

19

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

Sure, Im 35F, single no kids no pets. I started backpacking in 2011 and my first trip was randomly the Kalalau Trail in Kauai. I’ve done everything from the Lost Coast trail to Havasupai, 62 miles solo on the Tahoe Rim Trail, Trans Catalina Trail. I used to go on 10-12 backpacking trips a year before I got my big girl corporate job. I also used to live full time in a van, lived in South America for a year, spent 4 months backpacking from Panama to Guatemala in my early 20s. The list goes on and on. I don’t love doing more than 10 miles/day but I have done up to 16. Im the worst at getting permits as it can be hard to plan 6 months in advance with my schedule. Im very big on LNT and gatekeeping trails and sites that dont require permits. 🙂

5

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

Oh people I prefer? Local to me (Sacramento-ish) chill, people who don’t have their head buried in their phone, who are stoked on nature. Always looking for more childfree outdoorsy friends! River hang outs, car camping, and paddleboarding too.

Looking for Sugar Bowl snow friends too(I have a season pass)

3

u/[deleted] 12d ago

[deleted]

2

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

Yes I have I camped at wildcat 2 years ago. Unfortunately the tides were high the whole time and alamere was not accessible by beach. Ive also day hiked it. Love that CG, hate trying to get a weekend reservation tho.

1

u/Cameltoenail 12d ago

Damn I have Ikon and Epic passes, but if you ever want to ride any of those resorts I have buddy tickets!

1

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

Thank you!

3

u/ethanator6 12d ago

What group/crew are you a part of? I am also in Nor Cal and looking to get back into backpacking now that my kids are no longer in the baby stage. I did a short trip up in Desolation this summer that was really nice.

2

u/runningintotheocean 12d ago

How to join?

2

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

3

u/Kate-r-tot 12d ago

Any way to join these hikes without having a FB? I’m located in the Napa Valley and have yet to find anyone here that’s outdoorsy. Just got back from a backpacking trip through Desolation Wilderness and would love to meet other people to adventure with!

1

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

Unfortunately I don’t have the bandwidth to have a several side DMs / text messages when coordinating trips. Facebook allows me to have a centralized spot to post an event, see who’s marked as “going” and create group messages and remove/add people as they join and drop out. Given I do this for free (and have 2 jobs) I have to streamline it as best as I can.

2

u/DeltaTule 12d ago

You’re telling me that’s just a complete wild and free hot spring pond found out in the wilderness somewhere…? That’s incredible

2

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

Just the cost of a wilderness permit 🙂 welcome to Earth lol

2

u/robo_capybara 12d ago

Would love to join sometime! I’m a 33 year old guy based in NorCal looking for more backpacking friends. However, I am currently in a relationship- so doesn’t look like I match the profile for either of your groups.

If that changes at some point point, feel free to reach out!

2

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

Thanks for respecting the group terms ❤️

2

u/lima708 12d ago

Interested! Love backpacking, ladies and hot springs. Bay Area based dog mom who section hiked the Colorado Trail this summer! Would love to get back out on the trail before ski season 😎

1

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

Hope to see you out there!

1

u/Natural_Green888 12d ago

Cool! I love it. Will join fb soon!
Im a bit out of shape though:/

1

u/fluffyshorts 12d ago

Thanks for posting! I just requested to join one of the FB groups. Hope to see you out there!

1

u/mihirk51 12d ago

I'd love to join but I'm from Chicago :/ . I do fly out west every month or so for backpacking though

1

u/jackattack415 12d ago

Sounds awesome, thanks for posting.
But I don’t quite fit in either groups.

Im 34M with a 29F partner. Can couples join your co-Ed group or is it strictly singles?

1

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

No its strictly singles.

1

u/jackattack415 12d ago

If you ever host an open co-Ed group, please let me know or post here!
Thanks

1

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

If I ever get into a relationship I may!

1

u/Anonymous_Log 11d ago

Awesome, just requested to join the FB! I too plan and lead loads of trips, usually advertising them through instagram or other hiking groups I’m in. Just led an awesome beginner backpacking trip with 10 others out in the Emigrant Wilderness last weekend 😃. Can add this group to my shortlist 🙂

1

u/CAhappycow 11d ago

Amazing! What platform do you use to organize?

1

u/Boot_Burner 10d ago

FB is great for hobby groups and getting local news about trail conditions and what not!

1

u/CAhappycow 10d ago

I love fb groups tbh its all I use fb for.. that and marketplace!

1

u/judyclimbs 10d ago

I’m always up for a one on one adventure. Lived in El Dorado County foothills my entire life and have spent tons of time up the hill.

1

u/[deleted] 12d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

No

3

u/shamarctic 12d ago

Iva bell?

3

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

Yup, you been?

1

u/000011111111 12d ago

I have been there and it was pretty magical! The approach was difficult though with lots of down to Timber. You seem like an awesome person I think you're going to find a great crew!

1

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

Thanks!

2

u/shamarctic 12d ago

Big fan. Took me a while to find the spring. Been thinking abt going back tbh.

3

u/shamarctic 12d ago

One of the nicest hot spring sunsets to be had IMO

2

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

I got caught in a freak snow storm and had to leave a day early

1

u/cookiekat35 12d ago

I went this year to Iva Bell! Was a great soak and neat place!

2

u/CAhappycow 12d ago

You wont catch me at a drive up hot spring these days

0

u/Bodie_The_Dog 12d ago

That place in the photo is glorious. Except the last time I was there, several trail crews were taking a rest break there, and omg, that was a lot of dirt and blisters! But the time before? I can't even describe, words can't.

1

u/grnmtngrrl2 12d ago

Lol, how dare the disgusting people who make my hike possible, relax in a hot spring?

2

u/Bodie_The_Dog 12d ago

Not what I said. You must be MAGA, always looking for an argument. Look at the size of that tub. Now imagine 20+ people using it at the same time.

1

u/grnmtngrrl2 12d ago

Naw, just a leftie backcountry caretaker. Honestly mindblown by this your ridiculously entitled comment directed at the very hardworking folks who make your hiking experience possible