Backpacking 101: Beginner backpacking trip Fall 2024

SIGN-UP  WITH POC IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND THIS EVENT. CONTACT INFORMATION IS BELOW.

This trip is intended for people with little or no backpacking or hiking experience. The hike leader has over 1400 miles of hiking experience in the last three years, was a high school teacher before retiring, and is the education chair person for TATC. I'm willing to help you in whatever way is necessary before and during the trip to make the hike successful. There will be opportunities to get gear reviews and hike preparations also before this trip. See other events scheduled under "Backpacking 101: Prep ..."

Hog Camp Gap is the intersection of two ~6 mile loops. Saturday morning we will drive to the mountains. We will do the Cole Mountain loop that day. When we get back to Hog Camp Gap, we will setup tents to stay Saturday night in the meadow area in existing tent sites just north of the gap. On Sunday, we will do the other loop, Mount Pleasant, and return to Hog Camp Gap. Then we will drive home Sunday afternoon/evening.

NOTE: it is my intent that we are fully self sufficient while on this trip once we park the cars and start hiking. We will not return to the cars even though we will be camping Saturday night near the cars. This is intended to give you a more realistic backpacking experience. If you have any questions about gear to bring, please contact the POC (info below). 

There is ample parking available at the AT trailhead at Cole Mountain Loop Trailhead Parking lot. It is a dirt/gravel road for the last 1.5 miles. We will arrange carpooling once people are signed up for the trip.

Here are links to the two loops from the All Trails website for you to get a full idea of the distances and elevation changes:

https://www.alltrails.com/lists/cole-mountain-mount-pleasant-backpacking

The meeting location for driving there will be Lowes parking lot, (2002 Power Plant Pkwy, Hampton, VA 23666) at 8:00 AM, Nov 2, 2024, in front of the garden center. I'll be driving a bronze Subaru Outback. We may need a 2nd or 3rd car to be ready to drive to Hog Camp Gap depending on attendance.

POC Information: Don Williams, 757-357-4510, education@tidewateratc.com