Los Angeles
Crown Lake Beginner Backpacking Trip
A Beginner-Friendly Journey Into The Sierra Nevada.
Join Usal for a beautiful weekend of backpacking through the Sierra Nevada mountains, following winding creeks and resting beside stunning alpine lakes. This co-ed trip is designed to create space for connection—with nature, with others, and with yourself. Expect refreshing swims, unhurried miles, and time away from screens as we unplug and ground ourselves in the landscape.
We’ll move at a relaxed pace, taking breaks to observe wildflowers, birds, and everything the trail has to offer. This is a beginner-friendly trip open to all levels—no prior backpacking experience is necessary.
Our route follows the Robinson Creek Trail in the High Sierra. On Friday evening, we’ll set up camp at the serene Barney Lake. Saturday, we’ll continue deeper into the mountains, climbing toward Crown Lake for our second night under the stars. On Sunday, we’ll hike back out to the trailhead and head home—rested, reconnected, and full of trail memories.
The total journey covers 17 miles with approximately 2,800 feet of elevation gain, most of it spread across the first two days.
Ticket Type
When
06/27 - 06/29
Nights
03
Intensity
About
Jess Cooper is an avid backpacker, trail runner, and outdoor enthusiast who’s happiest on dirt trails in big mountains. She’s thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the Lowest to Highest Route, capturing her experiences and adventures through photography. With a background in Environmental Science and Conservation, she’s passionate about helping others connect with the outdoors and believes that experiencing wild spaces firsthand is key to protecting them. As a backcountry guide, she combines practical experience with boundless enthusiasm for nature and people, creating meaningful and memorable trips for those she leads.
What's Included
- Backpacking Pack – A properly fitted, high-quality pack to carry your gear comfortably throughout the weekend.
- Personal Tent – A lightweight, one-person backpacking tent for solo sleeping and shelter at night.
- Sleeping Bag – A warm and compact sleeping bag suitable for high-elevation overnight temperatures.
- All Meals – Nutritious, trail-friendly meals provided throughout the trip:
- Friday: Trail lunch + hearty campsite dinner
- Saturday: Hot breakfast, packed lunch for the trail, and a nourishing dinner at camp
- Sunday: Morning coffee + breakfast, and a lunch for the hike out
All food will be planned to accommodate dietary needs, and gear will be distributed before the trip with guidance on how to pack efficiently. Let us know if you need additional items like a sleeping pad, headlamp, or trekking poles—we may be able to help!
What To Bring
Please come prepared with your own essentials to stay comfortable, nourished, and safe on the trail. A full, detailed packing list will be provided once you're confirmed for the trip, but here are the basics:
- Snacks – Bring your favorite trail snacks to keep your energy up between meals (think: bars, trail mix, dried fruit, jerky).
- Hiking Footwear – Comfortable, broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction.
- Clothing – Weather-appropriate layers including a warm jacket, rain shell, moisture-wicking base layers, and extra socks.
- Lightweight Bowl + Utensils – For eating meals at camp (spork or spoon, bowl or collapsible container).
- Water – At least 2 liters of personal water-carrying capacity (bottles, bladder, or both).
- Sunscreen – High SPF recommended for protection at elevation.
- Toiletries – Essentials only: toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable wipes, and any personal medications.
If you’re missing anything, feel free to reach out—we can help point you toward rentals or gear borrowing options.
disclaimer
All participants must arrive at the trailhead by 12 PM on Friday, June 27