How To Organize A Group Backpacking Trip

Vol. 23

I organized a group backpacking for a friend’s 50th birthday this weekend. Here’s the Google Doc I put together for participants, many of whom had never backpacked before. Hopefully this can help you organize something similar.

Dates: Aug 18-20 - I hope everyone can come in the afternoon of the 18th as the drive is probably about 3 hours - see location below.

Tentative Location: [redacted]

This is a high alpine, backcountry lake south of [redacted]. There is no established trail to this location, which means no one else should be there, and there should be minimal sign of human presence in the area. I am still working on figuring out the best route in, so don’t have a total distance for the hike yet, or an exact parking location. I should be able to resolve these variables by the end of July. I’m told there’s trout in the lake. 

Travel: An approximately 3 hour drive from Bozeman. 4x4 vehicles on good off-road tires required. I will develop a more precise idea of vehicle requirements when…