• Quality gear consisting of tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, trekking poles

• All trips are supplied with camp kitchen items, camp stoves, water filters

• All meals from breakfast the first day to lunch on the last day (see sample menu)

• Experienced trained and certified guide(s) leading the trip. Each expedition is equipped with emergency communication devices and first aid equipment.

• Clothes, rain-gear, and footwear (see packing recommendations)

• Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items

• Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight

• Guide gratuity

• This is a beginner's backpacking expedition. No previous backpacking experience is necessary. Our Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) self-assessment is available via our Resources page found here. If you're still unsure about your skill level, please contact our office and we will be happy to help you assess your skill ability to comfortably navigate the expedition.

Day 1

We will begin our journey in Grass Valley CA, where we will meet our guides and fellow travelers to catch our air conditioned shuttle to the trailhead. The Loch Leven Lakes Trailhead begins in Emigrant Gap, California. The town acquired this name because emigrants from across the United States used this gap of wilderness in the Sierra Nevadas to reach the gold fields in the lands below. As you embark upon your backpacking adventure to Loch Leven Lakes, you'll feel as though you're stepping into a painter's masterpiece with a rich historical backdrop. Nestled deep within the granite-laden Sierra Nevada Mountains, this enchanting destination holds a significant allure as well as a place in California's history. We will set up our first camp beside the shimmering waters of one of Loch Leven's many lakes. As your guide prepares your delicious dinner, you'll have time to connect with your fellow travelers, take a dip in the lake or possibly enjoy the solitude and insights nature has to offer.

Day 2

You'll awake this morning to a friendly greeting and a hot breakfast from your guide. As you embark upon the trail to the next campsite, 2.5 miles away, the scene unravels like a secret pathway, winding through high mountain trails adorned with vibrant hues mixed with speckled granite. Along the way, your guide will inform you of unique facts about the area, which was home to indigenous tribes, settlers and gold seekers. Loch Leven Lakes area was once a thriving hub during the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. After a tasty lunch amongst the pines, you will discover the allure of the Loch Leven Lakes as you explore the surrounding areas. Day hikes will be offered to nearby vistas where the true majestic beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountain range can be experienced as you gaze over mountains and hills into the valley below. After a cozy fireside dinner you will retire to your comfy sleeping bag and enjoy a quiet night of rest.

Day 3

Mountain peaks and the smell of a delicious breakfast greet you this final morning. The majestic presence of the surrounding mountains casts elongated shadows that ripple across the serene waters. After a comforting meal prepared by your guide, you'll enjoy one last day hike to nearby vistas and lakes. Loch Leven Lakes served as a gathering place for indigenous tribes long before European settlers arrived. Amongst them were the Washoe tribe, who had a deep spiritual connection to the land and revered this pristine wilderness. As we make our way back down the trail we are reminded that Loch Leven Lakes captivates the heart and soul, and the true power of the wilderness is apparent all around you. At the trailhead you'll catch the private air conditioned shuttle back to your vehicle where we say farewell to our fellow travelers and guides, until our next adventure.