Point Reyes Backpacking
Sep 04 - Sep 07, 2026
$210
It’s time to head north of San Francisco and explore everything Point Reyes National Seashore has to offer! We’ll stay at Portola Redwoods State Park on Friday night before continuing to Point Reyes for a weekend of coastal backpacking. Get ready to admire ancient redwoods, hike along the ocean, and check out a stunning waterfall. You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in one of California’s most beautiful coastal landscapes!
Skill Level: Intense, Moderate
Activity Level: Intermediate
Trip Highlights
- Coastal back packing
- Waterfall
- Redwoods
Details
We will meet at the Poly Escapes Gear Cages at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, and depart for the North Bay shortly afterward. We will grab dinner in San Jose (paid for by participants, not provided) and stay the night at Portola Redwoods State Park. On Saturday morning, we will rise early, drive to Point Reyes National Seashore, and backpack to Glen Camp from the Bear Valley Visitor Center. On Sunday, we will take a day hike to Alamere Falls before returning to our campsite at Glen Camp. On Monday morning, we will backpack back to the Bear Valley Visitor Center to begin our drive home. We will stop for lunch on the road (paid for by participants, not provided) and expect to return to the Cal Poly Recreation Center by 5:00 p.m.
What's Included
- Transportation to and from campus.
- Basic instruction
- Tents
- Group gear: pots, pans, stoves, food storage, water filters, first aid kits, GPS, camp tools, sunscreen.
- Meals: Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Sunday breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Monday breakfast. Snacks provided each day, Fri-Mon.
What to Bring
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Backpacking Backpack
- Headlamp
- Bowl, mug, eating utensils
- 3 hard-sided water bottles
- Toiletries and personal medications
- Hiking boots
- Camp shoes (closed toe)
- Layers to keep warm
- Rain jacket
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen, sunhat, and sunglasses
- Credit card/money for meals on the road; dinner on Friday and lunch on Monday
- Personal snacks
If you don’t have all the listed equipment, please reach out to us at asipolyescapes@calpoly.edu to inquire about rentals or borrowing equipment.
An extensive gear list will be provided at the mandatory pre-trip meeting. Trip leaders will contact participants in advance with more information.
The Poly Escapes Rental Center at the Cal Poly Recreation Center has the gear you need for your next adventure! Explore our selection online, then visit the Rental Center to equip your trip.
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