May 17-19th

Wild Diversity and BARK are partnering for an unforgettable backpacking trip for the Queer, Trans, Non-binary, Two-Spirit BIPOC community & the Black, Indigenous, People of Color community! During this two-night trip we will explore the complex forest on the eastern shoulder of Mt. Hood National Forest, within the White River watershed. 

This trip is designed for the beginner backpacker and seasoned hiker (no prior experience needed). We will explore many aspects of forest ecology including history of fire, impact of commercial logging, presence of endangered spotted owls, gray wolves, and other sensitive animals and plants of place, native plant identification, the circumstances around federally managed public lands, and history of the land. We will explore how road building, commercial logging, and fire suppression alter landscape and the forest’s resiliency to the changing climate.

We will share the basics of backpacking and you will learn skills of packing, map reading, camp set up, backcountry cooking, leave no trace and shelter building sleeping under the stars while sharing space with your community and thinking about how we, as a species can recover collectively from the time we are in. 

Who: BIPOC, QTBIPOC Exclusive

Location: White River/Barlow Rd in Mt. Hood National Forest

Meeting Location: Leaven Community Center Portland, OR

Start Date: May 17, 2019 

Meeting Time: Friday May 17, 2019 at 9am - we will meet & greet; check gear out, Q&A

End Date: May 19, 2019
End Time: 6pm - we anticipate being back in Portland at this time or earlier

Cost: $200 (reduction cost scholarships available)

Includes: Transportation to trail, food, backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, stoves, bowls, utensils
Closest Airport: Portland International Airport (PDX)

Doesn't Include: Personal clothing, boots, toiletries, flights - please ask us about our Gear Library, we have limited options available for various outfitting.

Led By: Courtney Rae (BARK), Mercy M’Fon & Adrian Martinez 

May 25-26th

On  this beautiful late May trip, we will backpack through Mt. Jefferson Wilderness to Duffy Lake. This trip is designed for the seasoned hiker  or the absolute beginner. You’ll learn the foundational skills of  packing, map reading, camp set-up, backcountry cooking, and if you want,  hammock camping and sleep under the stars! You will have plenty of  downtime for hammocking, reading, swimming, day hikes, and building  community. 

Location: Duffy Lake, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness  

Meeting Location: Leaven Community Center Portland, OR  

Start Date: May 25, 2019   

PreTrip Time: Thursday May 23, 2019 at 530pm - meet & greet; check gear out, safety, Q&A  

End Date: May 26, 2019 End Time: 5pm - we anticipate being back in Portland at this time or earlier  

Cost: $200 (reduction cost scholarships available)  

Includes: Transportation to campsite, permits, food, backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, stoves, bowls, utensils. 

Closest Airport: Portland International Airport (PDX)  

Doesn't Include: Personal clothing, boots, toiletries, flights - please ask us about our Gear Library, we have limited options available for various outfitting. 

Led By: Adrian & Mercy

Start point: Duffy Lake Trailhead
End point: Duffy Lake
Hike Type: Out-and-back
Distance: 6.8 miles
Elevation gain: 800 feet

July 26-28th

We  are so excited to offer this trip again! This trip is for the Queer,  Trans, Non-Binary, Two-Spirit, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color  Community. We will backpack through the Indian Heaven Lakes and camp  waterside near beautiful Blue Lake in the Gifford Pinchot forest. This trip is designed for the seasoned hiker or the absolute beginner.  You will learn backpacking 101, and have plenty of downtime for hammocking, reading, swimming, conversations about our existence under the stars! 

Location: Acker Lake, Gifford Pinchot 

Meeting Location: Leaven Community Center Portland, OR

Start Date: July 26, 2019 

PreTrip Time: Thursday July 25, 2019 at 530pm - meet & greet; check gear out, safety, Q&A

End Date: July 28, 2019

End Time: 5pm - we anticipate being back in Portland at this time or earlier

Cost: $200 (reduction cost scholarships available)

Includes: Transportation to campsite, permits, food, backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, stoves, bowls, utensils.

Closest Airport: Portland International Airport (PDX)

Doesn't  Include: Personal  clothing, boots, toiletries, flights - please ask us  about our Gear  Library, we have limited options available for various  outfitting.

Led By: Adrian & Mercy 

Start point: Thomas Lake Trailhead

End point: Bear Lake

Trail Log: Trail Log

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 10.1 miles

Elevation gain: 860 feet