Day Trips

Ascend Wilderness Experience offers day excursions for youth ages 6+, as well as all-ages family day hikes, at no cost.

Participating hikers may meet up with Ascend Wilderness Experience the morning of the hike in Weaverville, CA, for transportation to/from, or at the trailhead where the hike begins if you prefer to drive your own vehicle. This will be a fun day of environmental education, stewardship projects, and outdoor fun!

Choose From:

  • Weaver Basin Trail System Youth Day Hike – For an introductory hiking experience, youth may join Ascend in The Weaver Basin Trails System, located in and around Weaverville, CA. Due to the easy access, parents drop their children off at a designated trailhead for the day where our Wilderness Guides engage the youth with a combination of hiking, fun stops, art projects and outdoor activities. This day hike is perfect for youth who are just getting into the outdoors and hiking. Lunch and snacks are provided. (Ages 6-17 rated Easy)
  • Trinity Alps Wilderness Youth Day Hike – Participants undertake a more strenuous day hike on classic trails that reveal the ancient forests and beautiful alpine lakes of the Trinity Alps. Youth spend the day on the trail learning about outdoor etiquette, enjoying their natural surroundings, and participating in outdoor group games. When appropriate, we also engage the youth in light stewardship such as monitoring for solitude, camp plean-ups, and taking stock of trail conditions. These hikes are generally 6 miles roundtrip and include elevation gain. (Ages 8-18 rated Moderate)
  • Multigenerational Day Hikes – Join your child on a day of discovery and stewardship on trails in need of maintenance and attention. Learn how to identify where improvements can be made to trails and use equipment to perform general upkeep under the tutelage of our trail stewardship guides. (All ages welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult and able to hike at least 4 miles, rated Easy-Moderate)
  • June 24, ages 6-9
  • June 26, ages 9-11
  • June 28, ages 12-15
  • June 29, adults
  • July 20, all-ages/family
  • July 27, all-ages/family

All trips are provided FREE to families and include a sack lunch. Due to hiking group size restrictions in wilderness areas, availability is limited per trip into the Trinity Alps. This means it is incredibly important that participants who sign up commit to attending their day hike. It is extremely difficult to fill last minute cancellations.