Backpacking & Day Hikes
Wyoming Adventures
Backpacking & Day Hikes
July 15 - 22, 2023
- Day Hikes: come for a couple of days or come for the whole week!
- Half & Half: We are exploring the possibility of a Half & Half option, with a couple days of day hiking and a couple days of backpacking! (Talk to Pastor Paul for details).
- Backpacking: July 15 - 22, 2023 (This is back to our normal Saturday to Saturday)
Registration Forms
1) Backpacking overnight in the backcountry
July 15 - 22 (Saturday to Saturday)
Deposit preferred by April 1
This is a multi-generational wilderness experience for young adults, adults and youth who have completed 8th grade. Students who have completed 7th Grade may attend with a parent.
See and experience things that are out of the ordinary. Take a ride across Dakota, laugh with friends, enjoy Solitude, take a shower in a mountain waterfall, sing around campfires, sleep under the stars, commune with God. Hike, work, cook, play and pray together, and take part in the best adventure of all, friendship grounded in faith, guided by Jesus Christ. Come grow in friendship and faith!
Participants will carry a pack with all of their personal gear (clothing, breakfast and lunches, rain gear, sleeping bag and pad, personal snacks, etc.) and some group equipment (Group equipment includes: tents, cook kit, First Aid kit, potty packs, fuel, group food, etc.). Here's the Packing List.
15-passenger vans will be rented for transporation out and back.
- July 15 travel to Hettinger Group Camp (about 15 miles west of Buffalo) and camp for the night
- July 16 - 21: backpacking in the backcountry
- July 21: hike to trailhead and go into town to shower. Spend the night at Hettinger group camp.
- July 22: drive home
2) Day Hikes and Half & Half
July 15 - 22: Come for a couple of days or for the whole week.
Enjoy the beauty of the Bighorn's Cloud Peak Wilderness with scenic day hikes. You only need to carry a light pack with: water (2 water bottles or a camelbak), rain gear, a warm layer, sandals to cross streams, sun screen, lighter, whistle, small flashlight and food (Other shared group hiking items will include: First Aid Kit, water filter, potty pack, etc.).
Immanuel has a supply of tents and general camping equipment that can be borrowed if needed, otherwise, bring out your own camping equipment (there is room available for tents, campers, etc.). All sites are non-electric. Please contact paul@immanuel.us and let him know what you may need.
Half & Half: We are considering a Half & Half option in which people could day hike for a couple of days and backpack overnight for a couple of a days. Please let Pastor Paul know if you are interested or select the Day Hikes/Half & Half option below or in the registration form.
If you prefrerred you could:
- come for just a couple of days on the way too or from other traveling.
- find your own accommodation in Buffalo and drive up to meet the group in the mountains!
- connect with others and explore the Bighorn Mountains area which can include: Hunter Mesa walk, West Ten Sleep Lake and Falls, Tie Hack Reservoir, Drive through the Crazy Woman Canyon, explore Buffalo
Optional day hikes in the Bighorns:
- which could include: Bald Ridge, Sherd Lake (and beyond), Mirror Lake and/or Lost Twin, Lake Angeline, Seven Brothers. We're flexible so you could skip day hiking and head into Buffalo to explore!
- July 15: travel to Hettinger Group Camp (about 15 miles west of Buffalo) - check in after 11am
- July 22: check out of Hettinger by 10 a.m. and drive home
Practice Hikes
As we prepare to enjoy Wyoming we invite you to join us for a “Practice Hike” or two - an opportunity to talk through the trip while hiking. All Backcountry, Day Hikers and Family Campers are welcome to join us.
Backcountry hikers are encouraged to bring their pack with some weight! Bring your bodies and bring your questions!
We will hike the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area on the Minnesota Riverbanks (in the very southwest corner of Eden Prairie),:
- Link for Directions.
- We will park/meet at the lower parking lot (right off Flying Cloud Drive)
Leave No Trace Training
We’ll meet in Immanuel's backyard and learn important skills through hands-on and interactive experiences that will help protect the wilderness. Learn how to minimize our impact on the wilderness with Leave No Trace Training (Things like: how to hike and camp respectfully, low impact cooking and camping, and how to poop in the woods...and so much more!).
Food Packing
Wednesday, July 12, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
The backcountry backpackers will pack food and organize group equipment. For safety purposes all first-time backpackers will be asked to come in for a mandatory equipment check. First timers are asked to bring ALL the equipment that they plan to take (with the exception of underwear) so that a trip leader can check that you have all of the necessary equipment and address your questions.
Contact Pastor Paul (paul@immanuel.us) for more information.
Cost
- Backcountry Backpacking
- $325/person (We have 2 vans rented)
- Fishing license (if you choose to go fishing).
- Meals on the road to and from Wyoming
- Day Hikes
- $20/household/night for camping
- transportation and food of your own choice/purchase
- Fishing license (if you choose to go fishing).
- Half & Half: cost is TBD
Participants should bring money for meals on the way out and back from Wyoming.
Scholarships are available upon request
Documents
- Backpacking FAQs (Please read)
- Backpacking Equipment Needs Request Form
- Packing List
- Backpacking How To's and Gear Tips
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America