We are halfway through our 2023 summer backpacking and hiking programs and have had an amazing time so far. Here are some highlights from our 3-day backpacking trip for ages 9-11, 5-day backpacking trip for ages 12-14 and our All Adult 7-day Stewardship Trip.
Ascend’s July/August trips are full but there is still room on our trips in September and October!
Family-Friendly Stewardship Day Hike ▴ September 30th ▴ Weaver Bally and East Weaver Lake
All Adult Stewardship Car Camping Weekend ▴ October 14-15 ▴ Kinney Camp/Rush Creek Trail
We love our backyard and we love our community. And because we live here, we know the Trinity Alps and local Forest Service need more caring people to steward this incredible public land. Ascend is the only Trinity County based non-governmental organization doing trail work in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area. Please join us as we expand our Stewardship Program to host more opportunities for adults and families to join us in adventure, trail work, and building connections.
In 2022 our 5-day All Adult Stewardship Backpacking Trip cleared fire affected trail from the River Complex Fire, using hand tools and crosscut saws to logout a total of 20 logs impeding the trail to Landers Lake.
In 2023 Ascend is returning to Swift Creek July 9-15th with an option to hike out the 13th if necessary. This backpacking trip is supported by pack mules, Ascend Guides, Forest Service personnel and all food and gear is provided at no cost. This is an incredible opportunity to make new friends, connect with the natural world, and give back to the trails that grant us access to so many special places in the Alps.
If you can’t attend the backpacking trip, we have more opportunities for weekend warriors July 29-30 (family-friendly backpacking), Sept. 30 (family-friendly day hike), and Oct. 14-15 (all adult car-camping). More details here.
Ascend is proud to be expanding our stewardship program thanks to support from NWSA National Forest System Trail Stewardship Partner Funding, California Wildlands Grassroots Fund of Rose Foundation, Recreation Programs of the U. S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, and Outdoor Equity Grants Program.
*Due to the stormy winter we have been having, youth backpacking and day hike destinations are TBD
We are thrilled to announce the introduction of FOUR new trips this year to accompany our much loved Youth Day Hikes, Youth Backpacking Trips, and Teen & Adult Stewardship Backpacking Trips!
Teen Salmon River Fish Count – July 17-20: Open to older teens pursuing education or careers in environmental science, wildlife biology, etc., this trip will focus on river ecology and spend time exploring the Salmon and Klamath Rivers while receiving education and training about fish populations.
Adult Stewardship – Waldorff Crossing (May 9-11) **Apps due ASAP**: In answer to community feedback, Ascend is offering several new 1-3 day trips that take place during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. The first will be on the lower elevation and less frequented trails of western Trinity Alps near the North Fork of the Trinity River. Participants will spend 3 days clearing the trail to ensure packers have access to pick up specialists doing fish count dives down the North Fork.
Adult Stewardship – East Weaver Lake Trail (Oct. 14-15): This 2-day car camping stewardship trip is a great intro to Ascend Adult trips for those who may not be able to get away for a longer backpacking adventure. Join Ascend Guides and like-minded adults for a weekend of learning about crosscut saws and logging out fallen trees that are impeding the popular East Weaver Lake Trail.
Multigenerational Day Hike – Weaver Bally (Sept. 30): If you or your family can’t make the Canyon Creek overnight multigenerational trip in July, join us for a family friendly day hike up on Weaver Bally where individuals, teens, and families can join in on stewardship tasks and take a hike to East Weaver Lake.
We can’t wait to get out in the Wilderness with YOU!
Applications Due May 15
**Don’t forget! Spring Break Day Camp Applications are due April 3rd! Apply Here**
Saturday March 25th • 6pm-11pm • Weaverville Veteran’s Hall
| Live DJ | Photo Booth | Food Trucks | Local Beer & Wine | Lip Sync Competition • Prom Royalty Court Competition
This year’s Mountain Prom is going to be SO fun!
The Lip Sync Competition is full with acts, so come enjoy the show and cast your vote to see who wins the Grand Prize Weekend getaway in Trinity Village!
And don’t worry, you can still win prizes by entering the Prom Royalty Competition! Enter yourself or nominate a regal friend and spend the night schmoozing and campaigning for votes to win 1 FREE night at the Lewiston Valley Motel AND a Gift Certificate to the Weaverville Pet Motel.
Kids are welcome to join the fun too in the Youth Royalty Competition for a chance to win seats and concessions for two to Trinity Theater!
Best of all, proceeds from these Mountain Prom activities go to a GREAT cause – Ascend programs that create meaningful experiences in wilderness for youth and adults!
Dress Up, Dress Down, Wear Your Boots And Your Gown!
Ascend is excited to announce our Spring Break Day Camp for youth ages 5-14 throughout the week of April 10-14, 2023
Each day campers will be formed into age-appropriate groups to participate in activities, including but not limited to, short day hikes, camp cooking classes, nature based arts and crafts, outdoor skills, as well as interactive guided walks to learn about local natural resources.
Our Camp Counselors are trained in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, games and fun team building exercises.
Don’t have plans this spring break? Don’t worry! Sign up for one day or all five and make sure your child has a memorable spring break with Ascend!
For information and application visit our webpage here
Hosted by Trinity River Restoration Project, Trinity County RCD, and Ascend, all proceeds from this fabulous night of films benefit youth programs in Trinity County: – Bar 717 6th Grade Environmental Camp – Weaverville Summer Day Camp – Ascend Wilderness Experience
We are so looking forward to 2023 and want to know what YOU want to see from Ascend in the New Year!
As we prepare for the upcoming season, please tell us what YOU want to see from Ascend in 2023 by filling out this brief survey (1-2 min). Longer backpacking trips for youth? Shorter? More adult opportunities? More guided family outings? Spring break day trips? What do YOU think?We can’t give you the programs you want unless you give us your valuable opinions, insight, and feedback so please take a moment!
Ascend’s goal is to make wilderness accessible to everyone in our community. Please help us design our programs to serve you and make the greatest impact in Trinity County. Fill out our brief survey today!
We are so grateful for everyone who donated and shared our Giving Tuesday campaign, you all are awesome!! We’re going to roll this giving momentum right into the end of the year giving season, so it’s not too late to donate to Ascend.
Money from your donations will help us create opportunities for youth and adults to experience wilderness while stewarding our community trails in the Trinity Alps Wilderness during the summer AND help us expand into schools during the school year where we can reach more students with our newly developed After School Outdoor Education Program.
We’ve already been able to reach students at Burnt Ranch School, Junction City, Trinity Center, and Van Duzen with programs about orienteering, water quality, invasive species, nature journaling, outdoor ethics and more!
Our goal is to instill curiosity and wonder so students can be engaged in the outdoors and develop a connection with nature that positively impacts the choices they will make in the future as young adults in our community. And it’s been so fun and inspiring to see how interested and engaged the students are in these topics!
Help us continue impacting these Trinity County students with AWEsome extended learning activities in 2023 by donating and thank you so much for your continued support of Ascend!
Just this year Ascend was able to serve our community by providing free wilderness experiences for 55 youth participants during our 7 weeks of summer programming. You can sponsor a hiker’s 2023 wilderness experience by donating today!
Ascend is also bolstering our Outdoor Education Program by bringing our outdoor curriculum to After School Programs across the county. We’ve already visited Burnt Ranch, Junction City, Van Duzen, and Trinity Center in 2022. Help us continue to broaden our impact by donating today!
To donate, you can sponsor a hiker or simply give what you can at the link below between now and December 1st. We look forward to achieving our goal of $2,000!
