Overview
Experience the rugged beauty the Pacific Northwest on this introductory backpacking trip to Mount St. Helens. You will hike through open fields and evergreen forests, carrying your own gear to a scenic wilderness camp. This trip is designed for first-timers who want to learn the "right way" to camp—from setting up a tent to filtering water—while surrounded by the unique geology of the blast zone.
Highlights
Volcanic Terrain: Hike 3.5 miles each day through ancient lava flows and open plains with views of the mountain.
Backcountry Education: Real-time lessons on how to pack your bag, pitch a tent, and manage a wilderness kitchen.
Scenic Wilderness Camping: A night spent under the stars at a quiet spot near the mountain, far from established campgrounds.
Full Gear Provided: Access to a high-quality backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and pad so you can try backpacking without the high cost of gear.
Meet your guide
Trish Schales
Guide/Owner for Trails Diverged
My primary goals as a guide are to help people build confidence, feel comfortable as a beginner, leave no trace, and recreate safely. I know how it feels to be intimidated by a new activity, and I will always work to be sure you feel safe physically and emotionally so that you can enjoy our trip and learn something new.
During our time together, I will call upon of 6,000 miles of backcountry experience & Search and Rescue experience to help you enjoy the outdoors safely. I strive to provide a personalized experience that shows a different side of the world to my clients, and to help them gain a better and deeper understanding of the sites and destinations we visit.
My passion is helping people that don't have the income to "try out" backpacking and wilderness exploration. My goal is to make access affordable and safe, while building confidence and life-long memories.
I have Wilderness First Responder training and practice the Leave No Trace principles so that we can recreate responsibly and conserve our special places for generations to come. I also teach Wilderness survival classes and backcountry navigation - I take care of the planning and medical gear so you can relax and enjoy the view. I have been a dedicated Professional Guide since 2020, and I was awarded the prestigious REI Guide of the Year Award in 2024.
If you’d like to tour with me, please get in touch so I can start creating the perfect itinerary for you.
Total Mileage:
5-10 Miles
Transportation Included?
Yes: We provide round-trip transportation from a central meet-up location in Portland, OR. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic drive to the monument.
Tendency for Break
Driven by group needs: We move at a collective pace and pause whenever someone needs a breather.
Duration:
2 Days / 1 Night: This is a true overnight trip.
Strenuous Level:
You will be hiking uphill on a steady incline while carrying the weight of a backpacking pack, so expect to feel the burn in your legs as we gain elevation. We will be moving at a consistent pace with weighted packs, and we'll spend time showing you how to adjust your bag’s straps to take the pressure off your shoulders.
Pace:
Skill-Sharing Pace: We move at a slow, conversational speed with frequent breaks to stop and look at plants or demonstrate how to use our equipment
Max Group Size:
12 Hikers
Minimum Age:
18+
Experienced Needed?
No prior camping experience is needed because we will teach you every skill from the ground up once we hit the trail.
This experience is perfect for:
This is a relaxed entry point for absolute beginners and families who want to try a night under the stars without a high-mileage commitment.
What's Included:
A guide to handle the navigation, your safety, and all the trail education.
A high-quality backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and trekking poles.
Every trail meal and snack, focused on lightweight food that actually tastes good.
Round-trip transportation, all necessary permits, and park entrance fees.
What's Not Included:
Personal clothing, such as hiking boots, rain gear, and moisture-wicking layers.
Toiletries and small personal items like a toothbrush or medication.
Gratuities for your guide.
Cancellation Policy:
As a small business, our guides invest significant time into prepping your gear and ensuring we are fully staffed for a safe experience, so we offer a full refund with at least 14 days' notice, a 50% refund between 7 and 14 days (or a full refund if we can fill your spot), and are unable to offer refunds for cancellations made less than a week before the trip.
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