Due to funding uncertainties, 2025 youth trips are Pending on Funding. Please sign up if you’re interested, and in the event any of the youth trips occur you, or your child are interested in, we will contact you.

Which Ascend Wilderness Experiences will you participate in this year? We’ve added a few more trips in 2025, so mark your calendars and register today! This Summer season will be full of fun and valuable backpacking, camping, and learning adventures for all ages! We hope to see you on the trail!

Youth Day Hikes

(June 23rd and June 25th) – This introductory experience is designed for youth participants to enjoy an adventurous day in the outdoors with a trained Ascend Wilderness Guide. For the youngest age group of 6-9 years old we may visit Lewiston Lake or Trinity Lake trail combined with swimming and picnic lunch, or Lake Eleanor in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. For the 9-11 year old age group a typical trip will be 2-4 miles round trip. Older aged groups (12-15) will hike 4-6 miles round trip.

Examples of hike destinations in the Trinity Alps include Boulder Lakes and Stuarts Fork for younger groups and Tangle Blue Lake or Stoddard Lake for an older group. We also go on hikes outside the wilderness in areas like the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Deadfall Lakes, etc.

Youth Backpacking Trips

Ascend’s flagship program is a multi-day immersion youth backpack trip into wilderness, which has proven to foster personal and social development, leadership skills, and to spark interest in the stewardship of Trinity County’s environment, and beyond. During our trips we will have a variety of guests from various environmental careers joining the groups to teach participants about botany, fire science, Leave-No-Trace Wilderness Ethics, and more.

Ages 9-11 (July 22-24) – These 3-day introductory backpacking trips are designed for youth who are just dipping their toes into independent outdoor adventures. Hiking distances are age appropriate and destinations may include: East Boulder Lake, Stoddard Lake or Boulder Lakes in the Trinity Alps Wilderness.
Ages 10-13 (July 14-18) – The 10-13 year old group will spend a full 5 days immersed in the backcountry of the Trinity Alps. The location of this trip is currently TBD, but is sure to have options for amazing vistas, alpine lakes, solitude, and communing as a group and in wilderness.
Ages 12-14 (July 28-Aug 1) – For the 12-14 year old age group, Ascend offers a Leadership and Mentor training trip to expand upon our flagship youth backpacking trips. These trips are geared to inspire an even deeper interest in wilderness experiences, offer intermediary experiences in field science or outdoor career based learning or for those considering being a Junior Wilderness Guide for future Ascend trips. During this backpacking trip youth will spend an afternoon participating in stewardship tasks in addition to supplemental leadership activities facilitated by Ascend Wilderness Guides for this specific trip.

Teen Trail Building & Stewardship Trip (June 22-28) – Ascend Wilderness Experience will offer a 7-day stewardship focused backpack trip for teens into the Trinity Alps Wilderness. The trip is open to teens ages 14-18.

Four of the seven days will be devoted to stewardship activities while the remaining three days will be spent backpacking, hiking, and enjoying the backcountry. This trip offers valuable resume and skill building work experience and also serves the community and the wilderness by accomplishing important tasks under the leadership of Forest Service personnel and an Ascend Wilderness Guide. Participants should expect to work hard during days devoted to stewardship activities and will receive a stipend for their efforts.

Stewardship on the trip will include activities such as removing brush, digging, and some log removal. The 2024 trip was devoted to rehabilitating the trail system up Boulder Lakes trail to Foster Lake. That trip included eight teens and all the necessary gear, safety equipment, tools, training and food. The Forest Service provided pack mule support, which transported all the food, tools and camping equipment.

Stewardship is a key element of this experience and we expect that all participants will actively participate in the project and maintain a positive attitude in a group setting throughout the trip. Participants on this trip will learn valuable skills and trail building techniques, especially if they have an interest in outdoor recreation career paths.

Teen Field Science Internship (July 9-13) – Ascend’s second time offering this trip with an exciting opportunity for older teens to participate in Botany Survey’s and Lake Core sampling with Cal Poly Humboldt Botanists and Geologists.

This trip is designed for teens ages 14-18 who are interested in pursuing education in environmental sciences. Youth will work with botanists to learn how to collect and study plant specimens, which will be used in the Cal Poly Humboldt labs to evaluate the regional biodiversity, and build a greater understanding about fire resiliency in the Klamath Mountains.

Youth will also work with Cal Poly Humboldt Geologists and Biologists taking lake core sediment samples which will be used to analyze a history of watershed contaminates and climate change. This 5-day backpacking excursion will take place up Stuarts Fork or Canyon Creek, camp at a lake or a meadow, and work with scientists in the Trinity Alps. Everything necessary will be provided by Ascend including pack mule support to help carry equipment and some camping gear. Teens will receive a stipend for this work experience.

Wilderness Career Pathway (July 21-25) – Join us for Ascend’s first-ever Teen Wilderness Career Pathway Backpacking Trip for teens aged 14-18! This 5-day adventure is designed to introduce teens to exciting opportunities in outdoor leadership, conservation, and wilderness management. Through hands-on training, team-building activities, and professional presentations, participants will gain valuable insights into these fields while exploring the great outdoors. Whether navigating trails or learning from experts, this immersive experience will inspire and empower the next generation of wilderness stewards. Get ready to challenge yourself, build lasting skills, and discover your path in the world of outdoor careers! The destination has yet to be announced, but we guarantee that it will be AWEsome!

All-Ages (Adult/Multi-generational/Family) Stewardship Hikes

These all-ages hikes are designed to accommodate every experience level. Although each one includes a stewardship activity, we specifically design them to accommodate families, anyone new to hiking, people both young and old, anyone wanting to hike with others, etc. We encourage teens to join this trip, however any participating youth under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Stewardship is a key element of this experience and we expect that all participants, including youth, will actively participate in the project and maintain a positive attitude in a group setting throughout the trip. We provide all safety gear, transportation, food, trained guides, and gear if needed. Even if you’re unsure about your physical capabilities, this is a good opportunity to learn or simply give back to our local trails.

August 9 & 10 -Embark on an exciting 2-day, 1-night backpacking adventure in the stunning Trinity Alps this August! This trip is perfect for adventurers of all ages, offering the chance to explore rugged trails, serene alpine lakes, and spectacular mountain views. Enjoy a night under the stars surrounded by nature’s beauty, with opportunities for team-building, relaxation, and outdoor skills. Whether you’re new to backpacking or an experienced hiker, this trip promises an unforgettable experience in one of California’s most scenic wilderness areas. Come create lasting memories with fellow explorers!

Adult Backpacking Stewardship Trips

Ascend Wilderness Experience offers a variety of backcountry stewardship trips for adults who want to hike deeper and explore more trails. We offer to either join for a day hike, weekend, 5-day or 7-day options.

During these immersive trail stewardship trips, eight volunteers will have the opportunity to work alongside Forest Service and Ascend personnel in rehabilitating the trail systems in the Alps.

Physical work will include activities such as removing brush and downed logs from trails, and digging to re-establish washed out or overgrown trail tread. All necessary group gear, safety equipment, tools, training, and food are provided. Any individual gear such as backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads are also available to borrow if needed.

During our 7-day trips pack mule support is provided to transport all tools, food and camping equipment into the backcountry.

These trips are guaranteed to be scenic and rewarding but also physically demanding. Volunteers must be prepared to live in the backcountry, be willing and able to work throughout the day on the project and maintain a positive attitude in a group setting.

May 3-4: Waldorff Crossing Trail – Ascend is hosting a spring trip this year to care for this less traveled trail in the western Trinity Alps near the North Fork of the Trinity River. Waldorff Crossing is a lower elevation forested trail that provides the best access for pack mules to pick up specialists doing fish count dives down the North Fork of the Trinity River. Thus, Ascend Guides and participants will spend 2 days brushing to widen corridors and performing logouts to ensure safe access for users. **Applications for this trip are due ASAP**
May 8-11: Marbles Car Camping –Come one, come all for a rewarding 4-day, 3-night car camping adventure in the beautiful Marbles Wilderness this fall, in partnership with the Bigfoot Trail Alliance! This trip combines the joys of camping with meaningful trail stewardship, as we work together to maintain and improve sections of the Bigfoot Trail. You’ll have the opportunity to give back to the wilderness while enjoying stunning landscapes, camaraderie, and the peacefulness of the Marbles Wilderness. After a day of hard work, relax around the campfire, share stories, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area. Whether you’re an experienced steward or new to trail work, this trip offers a unique way to connect with nature and make a lasting impact.
August 9-13: Botany Trip – ***Please note that this trip requires a fee, and space is limited*** Join us for an immersive 5-day, 4-night botany backpacking adventure into the stunning Trinity Alps Wilderness this August! This unique trip is designed for adult nature enthusiasts who want to explore the diverse plant life of one of California’s most pristine wilderness areas. Led by expert botanists from Cal Poly Humboldt, you’ll hike through alpine meadows, dense forests, and rocky ridges, learning to identify native flora while experiencing the beauty of the Trinity Alps up close. This trip is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of plant ecology, discover rare species, and enjoy the serenity of the backcountry. Get ready for an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature!
September 27-Oct 3 Trinity Alps Backcountry – Embark on a rewarding 7-night backpacking stewardship trip in the breathtaking Trinity Alps, where you’ll have the opportunity to give back to one of California’s most beautiful wilderness areas. Ascend is teaming up with the Bigfoot Trail Alliance and supported by the Backcountry Horsemen of Northern California, who will provide pack support to ensure you can focus on important conservation work. You’ll spend your days brushing trails, clearing logs, and enhancing the beauty of the backcountry alongside passionate volunteers and expert guides. After a fulfilling day of stewardship, enjoy amazing, home-cooked dinners and unwind under the stars with a fantastic group of fellow volunteers. With stunning views, meaningful work, and a dedicated community, this trip is sure to be an unforgettable experience!

Ascend Wilderness Experience