Our 5 levels of difficulty help you to gauge the physical intensity of our trips
and to determine what is best for you.

Interested in a Custom Trip?
Let’s chat!

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DAY HIKE

Most of our day hikes are Difficulty Rating 1. Participants should be able to hike 1 mile per hour on trail and carry a 10-pound daypack for 3-5 miles. Terrain will be earthen, uneven, sometimes rocky or muddy, and include minor cumulative elevation gain and loss of 400 ft. Level 1 trips are well-suited to participants who do things like ride bike, take walks, or do yoga 2-3 times per week.

 
Level 1 - Easy Day Hike
 
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BEGINNER BACKPACKER

These are ideal 1st-Time Trips for Beginning Backpackers. Participants should be able to hike 1-1.5 miles per hour on trail and carry a 30-pound backpack for 5-6 miles each full day of backpacking. Terrain will be earthen, uneven, sometimes rocky or muddy, and include minor cumulative elevation gain and loss of 800 ft. each full day of backpacking. Level 2 trips are well-suited to participants who do things like ride bike, take long walks, or jog 3-5 miles 2-3 times per week.

Trip Ratings 2 and 3 - Celebrating the stairs!

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MODERATE BACKPACKER

Participants should be able to hike 1.5 miles per hour on trail and carry a 30-pound backpack for 8-10 miles each full day of backpacking. Terrain will be earthen, uneven, sometimes rocky or muddy, and often include cumulative elevation gain and loss of 1,300 ft. each full day of backpacking. Level 3 trips are well-suited to participants who regularly do things like ride bike, yoga or cross-fit, lift moderate weights, take long walks, or jog 3-5 miles 2-3 times per week.

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AMBITIOUS BACKPACKER

Participants should be able to hike 1.5-2 mph on trail and carry a 35-pound backpack for 10-12 miles each full day of backpacking. We will remain on trail, terrain will be rugged and often include daily elevation gain/loss of 2,000 ft. We may need to carry excess water, depending upon water availability and air temperature.  Navigation may require tide charts for shoreline traverse during low tide or may require more technical skills while crossing slippery ice fields or large boulder fields. Level 4 trips are well-suited to those with prior backpacking experience and who rigorously exercise 3-4 times per week.

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HARDCORE BACKPACKER

This is our most advanced level.  Participants should be able to hike 2.5 miles per hour on trail and carry a 35-pound backpack for 12-15 miles each full day of backpacking.  We will remain on trail, terrain will be rugged and often include daily elevation gain/loss of 3,500 ft. We may need to carry excess water, depending upon water availability and air temperature.  Navigation may require tide charts for shoreline traverse during low tide or may require more technical skills while crossing slippery ice fields or large boulder fields.  Level 5 trips are well-suited to those with prior backpacking experience and who rigorously exercise 4-6 times per week.

 
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CUSTOM TRIPS

 
 

Interested in a creating Custom Trip? We would be happy to help you design a trip that is right for you and your personal ability level. Contact us for more information.