Fiery Gizzard State Park

Description: Women in the Wilderness 2026

Location: Fiery Gizzard State Park

Have you been wanting to get into backpacking but just don't know where to even begin? Does all the gear involved just intimidate you? What all is actually a must have in order to enjoy a good backpacking trip? Do you have the stamina to carry a 30 lb pack with all the essentials necessary for survival? Can you even start a campfire? Ranger Jessie DeRight and her fellow guides will help you answer all these questions as well as teach you all the skills needed to enjoy a backpacking trip in a safe and controlled environment. We can provide equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack) to those who need it on a first come, first serve basis. Lunch and Dinner backpacker meals will be provided for the Saturday date. Those will special dietary restrictions may be asked to provide their own food.

This trip will start out at the Fiery Gizzard South (Foster

Falls) trailhead at 10:00 a.m. We will discuss the basics of

backpacking, learn how to pack a bag (it's not nearly as straight forward

as you think!), and go over the route we will be taking. We will then begin our

hike to Small Wilds Campground via the Climber's Loop/Fiery Gizzard

Trail, which is about a 2.5 mile moderate - strenuous hike. Once we

get there, we will set up camp, eat some lunch, and then for those who are up

for it, we will explore the Laurel Gorge next to camp. Once we get back from

our hike, we will gather firewood and go over how to start a campfire.

Sunday morning, we will pack up and head back to the Fiery

Gizzard South trailhead via the Fiery Gizzard Trail. The hike back will also be

about 2.5 miles, which will be a total of 5 miles for the weekend. Once we are

back to the parking lot, we will answer any last minute questions that people

may have before we depart and go back home!

This trip is limited to women ages 16 and up and all minors must

be accompanied by an adult. This event is limited to the first 10 people

who register. Registration for this event will end April 24th. If you

register for this event but must cancel for whatever reason, then you must do

so before April 24th by 4:00 p.m. in order to receive a refund. If the

Ranger decides to cancel for dangerous weather conditions then she will do so

by 4:00 p.m. on May 1st, and refunds will be issued to participants.