Freel Switchback Backcountry Camp July 11-14, 2022 – CANCELED

Join the TRTA as we reconstruct the switchbacks leading to Freel Peak. Our work will focus on strengthening the trail, tread work and armoring drains and switchbacks to combat erosion.

What to Expect

This is a wilderness backpacking camp near Freel Peak, and requires a 3 mile hike to the campsite while carrying all your gear, food, and supplies to camp out and work for four days. Bear-proof food storage, such as a bear keg, is required (bear hangs are not allowed). This is a true wilderness camp and volunteers should have some backpacking experience. Meals will be prepared on backpacking stoves and freeze dried meals will be provided. This camp is rated Most Strenuous (but most rewarding!).

Please email  KristineK@tahoerimtrail.org if you have any questions.

Schedule

Participants will meet Monday at 8:30 am, July 11th, at the Tahoe Rim Trail Office. We will caravan to the Horse Meadows Trailhead. There is plenty of parking, and participants can leave their vehicles at the trailhead if they’d like. We’ll hike our gear 3-miles to our camp location near the worksite. We’ll camp out for three nights, spending our days repairing eroded sections of the trail and widening the trail corridor by brushing and rebuilding the rock retaining wall. After work, there will be plenty of time for exploration and hiking to enjoy beautiful views or a hike to Star Lake. We’ll return to the Horse Meadow trailhead Thursday late afternoon, around 2 pm.

Please note! Our camp and worksite are at high elevations. If you will be traveling from low elevation or are not accustomed to strenuous activity at high elevation, we recommend you arrive in the Tahoe area several days in advance to acclimate to local conditions.

What to Bring

All volunteers must dress appropriately for each day of work, including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and sturdy, closed-toe shoes, boots preferred. You should also bring everything you need for four days in the wilderness, including lightweight camping and cooking gear, warm clothes, etc. Plan to bring containers (water bottles, bladders, etc.) for at least 3 liters of water, sunglasses or other eye protection, sunscreen, any medications, and other personal items you’ll need. Don’t have all the fancy backpacking stuff? Just let us know. We have the gear to loan out. The TRTA will provide food (on request), experienced crew leaders, tools, and required safety equipment such as hard hats and gloves.

Who to Bring

Wilderness Backpacking Camps require previous backpacking experience, preferably at altitude in the Sierra Nevada. This is not an appropriate opportunity for people looking to spend their first night in a tent. Minors aged 16+ are welcome so long as a parent or legal guardian accompanies them. Please fill out the Parent/Guardian Permission Form in such a case Parent/Guardian Permission Form.

Come out and help build some great trails!

Thanks to our partners for making this project possible!