Directions:
Pre-Trip - Meet at Look About Lodge
Ages: 14 & over (Minors between the ages of 14-17 MUST have a registered and participating adult)
Guests must attend the mandatory pre-trip meeting on May 9, 6 – 9 p.m. at Look About Lodge, South Chagrin Reservation, 37374 Miles Rd, Bentleyville, OH 44022
- Guests must be 14 & over (Minors between the ages of 14-17 MUST have a registered and participating adult)
- Guests must complete and bring the waiver to the pre-trip meeting.
Registration Opens: March 15
Length: 3 days and 2 nights
Trip Dates: Depart from Garfield Park Center Friday, May 17, 1 p.m. returning to Garfield Park Center by Sunday, May 19, 6 p.m
Terrain/Distance: Natural surface terrain with narrow rugged tread. Mostly rolling terrain with some significant elevation gains with mileage between 3-4 miles a day.
Overview
This beginner mileage friendly trip has a little of everything from old-growth forests to rocky overlooks. Spend a night camping stream side, while learning Leave No Trace etiquette. This trip is focused on the skills a beginner backpacker needs to get out on their own. Guests will be coached on the items necessary to spend a night in the woods carrying all their gear on their back in a backcountry environment.
Itinerary
Pre-Trip
This mandatory meeting on May 9 will prepare you for the upcoming adventure. Not only will trip logistics be covered, but guests will get to see pictures from past trips, learn to pack and fit a backpack, discuss packing food for a trip, and check out necessary equipment. Guests should bring their personal gear to the pre-trip, so instructors can make sure you are as prepared as possible. The pre-trip meeting is exclusive for all paid trip guests.
Trip
Day 1- The group will depart from Garfield Park Center traveling about three hours to Allegheny National Forest. Upon arrival, the group will have the opportunity to practice hiking with backpacks while stretching their legs on a short hike in an old-growth forest. At our home away from home, guests will learn to cook using backcountry stoves in a front-country setting. The evening will finish off around the campfire with stargazing.
Day 2- After breakfast, guests will break down camp, packing under the guidance of the instructors. We will backpack approximately three miles to camp enjoying the trail that meanders through rolling terrain dominated by ferns. Frequent breaks will be taken, with lunch on the trail. Moss covered boulders add interest to the day. Instruction focuses on water filtration, the camp triangle, and critter proofing your camp. The evening is spent relaxing near the stream with an after-dinner discussion on backcountry bathrooms.
Day 3- The morning begins with breakfast next to a beautiful creek prior to packing up camp. The day will be full of hiking among rock cliffs, stone hallways, and panoramic views. Lunch is well earned as the morning is spent climbing out of the valley with some steep up-hill sections. We’ll enjoy the views before hiking the short distance out to the trailhead.
Logistics
The following is included with your trip:
- Trip Leaders and guided instruction
- Pre-trip meetings to prepare you for your trip
- A fully planned trip and route
- Camping fees
- Transportation
- Equipment
Travel
Guests will be transported in Cleveland Metroparks vehicles to the trip location departing from Garfield Park Center. Guests’ personal vehicles will be parked in a fenced area at Garfield Park Center for the duration of the trip.
Accommodations and Food
Tents will be provided; however, guests may bring their own if it is appropriate for the nature of the trip. Tent accommodations will be shared as space is always limited in backcountry sites. One night will be spent in a front-country campsite that features potable water and a pit-toilet. The second night will be spent in the backcountry where nature will provide the bathroom.
Food is not provided, as one of the hurdles to backpacking is learning how to manage food weight and calories. Each participant will plan and supply their own food for the trip. But, don’t worry! A portion of the pre-trip will focus on backcountry menu planning and suggested options.
Equipment
It is highly suggested that guests bring everything on the list below to the pre-trip meeting for the leaders to review, inspect, and discuss with you. If you aren’t sure about an item, bring it with you to the pre-trip, and we can discuss it. We want you to be prepared to have a great trip. Use the equipment checklist when preparing for the pre-trip meeting and the trip. Outdoor Recreation can provide items with an “*”, so if you don’t have that item, you don’t need to go out and buy it. The most important thing you might need to buy is adequate footwear…sturdy shoes at a minimum. However, boots are recommended due to rocky terrain and the additional weight of carrying a backpack. Most everything else on the list can be found at home, borrowed, or found at a thrift store.
Equipment Checklist: Link PDF
General Information:
By registering, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the
cancellation policy.
General Essential Eligibility Requirements that all participants must meet. A participant….
- …must meet minimum age and pre-trip meeting requirements for each individual program.
- …must meet program fee requirements for each individual program.
- …must be able to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed in order to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, and frostbite.
- …must refrain from use of alcohol and tobacco before or during outdoor recreation activities and any illegal drugs throughout the duration of a program.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant, or through arrangements outlined on the Request for Administration of Medication Form or an Individual Medication Plan to manage, administer and protect any prescription medications currently prescribed to him or her. All medications, including over-the-counter medications shall be listed as required on the Medical Information portion of the registration materials.
- …must be able, either alone, with the aid of an augmentative communication device, or a personal care attendant to follow directions and communicate needs.
- …must not exceed manufacturers’ maximum recommended weight limit for equipment being used.
- …must be able to manage personal mobility either alone, with a reasonable amount of assistance, with the aid of a personal care attendant, or with adaptive equipment.
- …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant or adaptive equipment to travel at least 1 mile on varying terrain as well as be able to carry their own gear on backpacking trips.
- …must be able to, for backcountry programs only, travel in a physically demanding, remote backcountry environment for the uninterrupted period of the trip length, which can range from one to ten days with varying temperatures and environmental conditions including but not limited to, rain snow, hail, sun, and wind. The remoteness is such that cell signal may be unavailable, and it may require at minimum an hour, but perhaps in excess of 2 days travel to reach the nearest road and advanced medical care; participant assumes all costs associated with rescue.