The plan
We meet at the church on Friday afternoon (final depart time TBD, plan for 4pm) and drive 30 minutes to Dry Creek Canyon in Alpine. Hike 1.5 miles in to camp. Set up tents, filter water from the creek, cook our freeze dried dinner. Sleep in the canyon. Saturday morning we eat oatmeal, break camp, and hike out. Boys are home by 10-11am.
The point of this overnight
This is a full gear shakedown. We test out the backpack, hiking shoes, water filter, and shared gear like tents and camp stoves. By the end of the trip everyone should be comfortable with:
- Shoes and clothing under load
- How to pack and carry their backpack
- Sleeping arrangements (tent or hammock, pad, bag)
- Filtering water from a real stream
- Preparing freeze dried meals with a camp stove
If something is wrong with the gear, we want to find out here, not at Dollar Lake 7.5 miles from the car.
What the ward provides vs. what you bring
Provided by the Ward
Friday dinner: Mountain House freeze dried meals.
Saturday breakfast: Instant oatmeal packets.
Boys put these in their packs and cook them on their own backpacking stoves.
You Bring
Your own backpacking snacks (granola bars, jerky, trail mix). Please go easy on the treats. Pack comfortably, not heavily.
Full packing list
For details on what to buy or borrow, see the Parent Shopping Guide. You do not need to buy high-end gear. Borrow, share, improvise, or check the DI.
Wear to the trailhead
- Shorts or pants (zipper pants are great)
- T-shirt or long sleeve
- Hiking shoes or tennis shoes
- Hat (sun)
- Wool or synthetic socks
In the pack — clothing
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Puffy coat, fleece, or sweater
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Extra socks (for sleeping)
Sleep system
- Sleeping pad (foam or inflatable)
- Sleeping bag (20-40°F rating)
- Small pillow Optional
Gear
- Backpack (comfortable for long hikes)
- Headlamp (critical)
- At least 1 liter of water at the trailhead
- Water filter (e.g. Sawyer Mini) Share
- Tent + rainfly + poles + stakes Share
- Backpacking stove + fuel + lighter Share
- Utensils and mess kit or metal cup
Personal
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper / wet wipes (no bathrooms)
- Any personal medication
- Personal snacks
- Bug repellent + mosquito net Optional
Not Allowed in Camp
No personal electronics (phones, gaming devices, movie players, cameras, radios). No energy drinks. No eating in any leader's vehicle.
Read before the trip
Safety
Buddy system at all times. Two deep leadership. Nobody in front of the lead adult or behind the rear adult. Always within sight and sound of an adult. We bring a phone with satellite emergency messaging.
Pack Weight
Target 15-20 lbs for youth and 25-30 lbs for adults. Lighter is better. Every pound counts.
Water
The trail parallels Dry Creek. We will practice filtering water as part of the hike. Bring your own filter (Sawyer Mini is fine) or coordinate with your buddy.
Weather
Always be prepared for rain. Bring a poncho, tent rain fly, and pack cover. At higher altitudes weather can change quickly. A 20-40°F sleeping bag will keep you comfortable.
Bugs
Mosquitoes can be bad. Bring high-DEET bug spray and consider a mosquito head net.
Tent Assignments
Tent partners are up to the Quorums and the youth to figure out. Let a YM leader know if someone needs a tent buddy.
Fathers Welcome
Drivers and adult supervision are needed. More importantly this is great father and son time. Come.
RSVP
Permission slip is required for this overnight. Contact YM leaders or Bentley Folkman, YM Camp Director, at 801.440.7162.