Beginner Backcountry Excursion: Prepare, Pack, & Get Out in the Field

Ready for a backpacking adventure but not sure how to get there? This course covers the fundamentals of backpacking in Joshua Tree National Park, from planning and preparation to two days in the field. This intensive is a great guide for experienced hikers who want to start backpacking, as well as backpackers of all experience levels.

• A mandatory gear check will be held via Zoom a week before the excursion to ensure you have what you need for the trip.

• This excursion covers 10 miles in Joshua Tree National Park over the course of 2 days and 1 night.

• Participants must be capable of carrying a 40lb pack for several hours at a time. We will move at a gentle pace over uneven terrain to cover approximately 5 miles each day. If you have any physical limitations in these conditions, please reach out to Desert Institute before enrolling.

• No meals or equipment are provided. Participants will not have access to public restrooms or shelter other than their tents. Desert Institute will provide a full equipment list, and a gear check will take place before participants hit the trail.

• Participants who are not prepared will be turned away.

Activity level: This class is strenuous. It requires 5 miles of walking per day (10 miles total, carrying gear), which may include several hours outdoors in the elements, significant elevation gain, and variable terrain. You will need personal equipment. Please contact Desert Institute at desertinstitute@joshuatree.org with questions about training or physical and equipment requirements.

Packing list for participants: 

Required

• Backpack (55L or larger overnight backpacking pack)

• 5L water minimum (Water bladder recommended with supplemental Nalgene or other durable bottles) for drinking and cooking

• LED headlamp

• Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, SPF lip balm

• Personal hygiene items (hand sanitizer, tooth care, other items as necessary)

• Personal medications

 Optional Items

• Trekking poles optional but recommended

• If it looks like it will rain, you may want a waterproof stuff sack (trash bags work great too!) 

• Disposable wipes 

• Portable lightweight camp chair

Food

• 1 lightweight camp breakfast

• 2 trail lunches

• 1 lightweight camp dinner

• Snacks and other food items as needed between meals (nuts, trail mix, jerky, chocolate, salty high-calorie snacks recommended)

Electrolyte/hydration drink powder sachets (e.g., Liquid IV; aim for 50% of your water intake during the trip to include electrolytes)

Weather-Dependent Items

• Bandana or Buff

• Base layer (short- or long-sleeved moisture-wicking shirt)

• Base layer bottoms (moisture-wicking)

• Beanie

• Fleece, lightweight down, or warm insulating jacket

• Hiking boots or appropriate athletic shoes for long days of walking with weight on your back

• Hiking pants - 1 pair (preferably not cotton, moisture-wicking or quick-dry materials

• recommended)

• Hiking socks - 1 pair (synthetic or wool — NOT cotton)

• Light-colored hiking shirt or sun hoodie (to protect arms from the sun if it is warm)

• Mid-weight top layer

• Outer shell layer (this can be a wind jacket or rain jacket — check the forecast, as rain is a possibility)

• Rain pants (if rain looks possible)

• Underwear - 1 to 2 pairs as you see fit (moisture-wicking or quick-dry materials

• recommended)

• Warm gloves

At Camp

• Camp shoes (nice to wear something other than hiking boots when in camp; flip-flops okay)

• Cook set: dishes, bowls, utensils, cups (measuring/drinking)

• Sleeping bag (20°F bag or warmer recommended if you sleep cold)

• Sleeping pad (this is for warmth from the cold ground, not comfort. It is essential!)

• Stove, fuel, and lighter (if not using MREs)

• Tent with guy lines and repair sleeve

• Tent footprint (protects tent fabric from sharp rocks or vegetation)

Desert Institute will provide

• Plastic zip-top bags (for garbage/waste)

• Toilet paper

• WAG bags (go-anywhere toilet kit)

The Zoom portion of this class will take place prior to the backpacking trip. It will be essential for you to virtually attend to go over your gear. For the outing, we will meet at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center at 6554 Park Blvd in downtown Joshua Tree. From there, we’ll carpool to the trails parking lot. The hike travels along the western edge of the Wonderland of Rocks to our campsite, where there will be time to prepare a hot meal before sunset. On day two, we’ll set out early for a 5-mile trek through lesser-traveled terrain that will bring us back to our starting point. In total, we will walk 10 miles! 

Please make sure all required gear is purchased in advance. Final gear review and meal prep guidance will be discussed during the Zoom session.

Photo credit: NPS