Backpacking in the Sierra for Girls

Join us for a 5 day, 4 night backpacking adventure into Tahoe National Forest, where we'll explore the big granite of the Sierra Mountains, sparkling clear lakes, and nights out under the stars. This trip is for girls who may be new to backpacking, or who may have some experience and are ready for a next level adventure. Drop off/pick up location options available in San Rafael and Emigrant Gap, CA.

TRIP PLAN

Day 1 - We hike in one mile from Carr-Feeley Lake trailhead to Island Lake in the Grouse Ridge area of Tahoe National Forest. Our first night is spent here, dipping in the crystal waters and getting oriented to the essential skills of backpacking and backcountry living. This is where we have our introduction to team building and camp care, as well as establish deeper relational connection with the plants, animals and elemental forces around us through core Vilda practices like tracking awareness, sit spots, and safe foraging of wild, edible plants. 

Day 2 - Pack up and hike just over 4 miles to Glacier Lake, nestled up against the towering Black Buttes. This is a gorgeous and wild trail, gently climbing in elevation until we reach wildflower meadows with epic views in all directions, and Glacier Lake tucked into the cliff walls. The perfect place to set up camp and our homebase for the next two nights.

Day 3 - We day hike through the boulders down into 5 Lakes Basin, where water abounds and one lake flows into the next and the next. It is a magical wonderland of islands and peninsulas, with ancient juniper trees and cascades of waterfalls everywhere. During this time, we'll continue to deepen into relational nature practices, cultivating gratitude, resilience, courage, and leadership along the way. This is the perfect opportunity for a little downtime to have solo reflection and journaling time, after which we'll come together in council to share authentically with each other. 

Day 4 - We head back the 4.5 miles along beautiful Sand Ridge to Island Lake, where we camp for our final night. Here we can reflect on the trip, share memories and gratitude, and hopefully revel in the friendships we have built.

Day 5 - Hike out the last mile back to the van and drive home, likely tired, but nourished by the experience of backpacking the Tahoe Sierra.

• Ages: Girls ages 13-16 • Location: Grouse Ridge, Tahoe National Forest • Schedule: July 20th-July 24th • Price: Tuition Per Session Rate A: $1,200, Rate B: $1,038, Rate C: $878

Backpacking in the Sierra for Girls is part of Vilda, which is dedicated to facilitating meaningful connections with the natural world. Vilda started in Fairfax, California in 2008 and has been running programs since then, now serving over 1000 kids a year in Marin, Sonoma, and Tahoe. The organization is a 501c(3) non-profit and provides nature education, youth programs, homeschool programs, and summer camps in several Bay Area communities and in Tahoe and Truckee. The program is led by Vilda’s founder, Mia Andler, and uses a badge system for the attainment of skills badges.

One parent of a 7-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl describes the camp as a unique and positive nature experience of exploring and learning, speaking highly of the counselors. Another parent of two 7-year-old girls reports seeing changes in how their children notice nature, and a parent of a 9-year-old boy asserts that Vilda is their son’s favorite camp.

Vilda states that families in the Bay Area have differing abilities to pay and that it wants its programs to serve as many children as possible regardless of financial situation. Scholarships are available.