Special note: Grand Canyon Backpacking will not be offered during 2025 due to construction closures in the park. We will instead offer a new trip, Arizona Sky Islands Backpacking. We hope to offer Grand Canyon backpacking again in the future, in 2026, when the construction is complete.

Grand Canyon Backpacking

Embark on the trip of a lifetime to explore one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon, in northern Arizona. While most people who visit this national park only view the canyon from the rim, our group will venture far further than most, and hike all the way to the bottom of the canyon and spend days exploring the many geologic wonders that await. The group will fly to Phoenix; take rental vehicles to the south rim of the Grand Canyon; and hike a trail down 5,000 feet plus to the Colorado River. The group will spend three days hiking and exploring near the river, then spend two days hiking back up out of this magnificent gash in the earth. This is one of the most physically challenging outdoor trips Lakeside offers - students should be prepared for heavy packs, cold weather, and long days of hiking. The total length of time for this trip is 8 days, with two travel days on either end, and 6 days of backpacking.

On Lakeside outdoor trips, students learn to be self-sufficient members of a group. You will be responsible for setting up and taking down shelters each night, cooking for the whole group as a member of a cook crew, sharing in evening meetings, and participating in all aspects of the trip from prep day to clean up. Students will encounter challenges on these trips that will test their abilities and will push them to use problem-solving skills. We encourage all students on these trips to take physical, social, and emotional risks, as deemed appropriate by the trip leaders, to further their learning and push themselves out of their comfort zone. Students will be living in community with each other and their trip leaders, experiencing highs and lows together, and developing leadership and outdoor living skills. All Lakeside outdoor trips are technology free - there are no cell phones or other technology allowed on trips, and the group will be without regular communication home for the entire time. Trip leaders carry satellite phones for emergency use only.

"It was one of the best experiences of my life." - student on a 2023 outdoor trip

Skills: Backpacking

Backpacking involves carrying everything you need for a trip in a specially-designed backpack into the wilderness. On this trip, the group will be entirely self-sufficient, carrying all of their clothing, gear, food, water, first aid, and emergency supplies in their packs. The group will hike every day with all of their belongings and set up a new camp each night along the trail. There are no roads and the area where we travel is remote wilderness.

Features of the trip:

Course length: 9 days (8-day trip, plus 1 prep day on Lakeside's campus)
Mileage: 33-36 miles
Average group size: 9 students, 2 adult leaders
Average pack weight: 35 - 50 lbs.
Elevation range: >6,000 ft.
Location: Grand Canyon National Park
Travel details: Group will fly from Seattle to Phoenix, drive in rental cars from Phoenix to Flagstaff and spend an afternoon shopping for groceries and supplies in Flagstaff. They will begin hiking the next day, for a 6-day trip. The last night will also be at a hotel, before driving back to Phoenix and flying back to Seattle on the final travel day.
Hiking may be on- or off-trail, in desert and rock environments. Though the trails are very well-maintained they can be dry and dusty, wet and muddy, or even snowy and icy depending on the weather. You may see all three hiking conditions on the same trip!
Solo: This trip will have a day-long solo.
Weather: Arizona's desert in the winter (February) can vary wildly. On the rim of the Grand Canyon students should expect snow and temperatures in the 20s and 30s. As you hike down into the canyon it warms up, and average temperatures at the bottom are 50s - 70s during the day, and lows in the 20s - 30s at night. It can be dry and dusty, very windy, and can even rain or snow. It is also frequently sunny and warm - expect wild temperature and weather variations across the entire trip.
Packing List
Cost: $ - While most of our outdoor trips are offered at no additional costs, all of our plane travel trips have an extra fee to participate due to the extra costs. Financial aid is available.
Experience required: No previous backpacking experience is required, BUT students should have a high level of physical fitness and be prepared for challenging terrain, weather, and climate, as well as heavy backpacks.

Click here to see the full spring 2025 schedule and instructions for how to apply.

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