Overview: Women’s Backpacking Retreat at Point Reyes (3 Days, 2 Nights)
Experience the Magic of Nature and Joyful Connection.
Join us for an unforgettable women’s backpacking retreat in the stunning wilderness of Point Reyes National Seashore. Over 3 days and 2 nights, you will embark on a rejuvenating journey focused on Forest Bathing, cultivating joy, and experiencing the restorative power of Blue Mind – the calming effect that being near water has on our minds and bodies. This adventure will allow you to reconnect with nature, yourself, and other like-minded women.
What to Expect:
- Guided Backpacking Adventure: Enjoy a scenic out-and-back hike covering 5.5 miles to our camp, situated near the iconic Alamere Falls – a rare tidefall that plunges directly into the ocean. With 830 ft. of elevation gain and 1,046 ft of descent, this moderate trail will challenge and inspire you.
- Forest Bathing and Mindfulness: Engage in mindful Forest Bathing sessions (Shinrin-Yoku) where you will slow down, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest, and let nature heal and refresh you.
- Cultivating Joy: Participate in workshops and guided activities that help you explore joy, learn how to invite more of it into your life, and connect with your inner sense of peace.
- Experience Blue Mind: Feel the soothing effects of the ocean as you camp near the coast, visit the beach and explore Alamere Falls.
Physical Requirements: Participants must be able to hike 1.5-2 miles per hour while carrying a 20-25 pound backpack. This is considered a moderate hike however we will be moving slower than the average backpacking pace which is 2.5-3 miles per hour.
Retreat Location: Our retreat takes place at the closest campsite to Alamere Falls, a breathtaking tidefall that cascades directly onto the beach. This iconic location offers the perfect backdrop for an inspiring and nurturing experience.
Sample Itinerary (subject to change)
Day 1: Arrival and Immersion:
- Introductions & Hike In: Meet your fellow adventurers and hike 5.5 miles to camp with lunch along the trail.
- Set-Up Camp: Unpack and settle in.
- Beach Trip with Women’s Circle: Enjoy a serene beach trip and connect with others in a women’s circle.
- Dinner & Mini Forest Bathing Session: Replenish our bodies with our backpacking meal followed by a calming sunset Forest Bathing Session.
- Evening Reflection
Day 2: Alamere Falls & Joy Cultivation:
- Sunrise at Alamere Falls: Start your day with the beauty of the falls at sunrise.
- Breakfast & Workshop: Fuel up with breakfast before diving into a “Cultivating Joy” workshop.
- Lunch & Self-Care: Take time to relax, reflect, and recharge with self-care practices.
- Watercolors & Guided Forest Bathing: Let the ocean be your muse-dip your brush into its essence. Watercolors using ocean water inviting the waves into your creative flow combined with deepening your connection to the environment through guided Forest Bathing.
- Dinner, Sunset & Women’s Circle: Share dinner, watch the sunset, and connect in another women’s circle.
- Evening Reflection
Day 3: Mindful Farewell
- Sunrise Mindfulness on the Beach: Practice mindfulness with the rising sun.
- Breakfast and Pack Up: Enjoy breakfast, then pack up for the hike back.
- Final Women’s Circle & Hike Out: Reflect on your experience in a final women’s circle before hiking out together.
What’s Included:
This is considered environmental hike-in camping/backpacking so there will be a picnic table, pit toilet and potable water at our site.
- All backpacking gear (tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment)
- Nourishing meals throughout the retreat
- Guided backpacking, Forest Bathing, and joy cultivation workshops.
- Women’s circles and mindfulness practices
Dates & Pricing:
- Dates: Sunday, October 6th – Tuesday, October 8th, 2024
- Early Bird Price: $300.00 using Coupon Code: HIKEJOY50
- Regular Price: $350.00 after Friday, September 20, 2024
Why Join Us?
This retreat is perfect for women seeking to connect with nature, themselves, and others in a supportive environment. Whether you’re an experienced backpacker or new to outdoor adventures, this retreat will leave you feeling empowered, inspired and filled with joy.
Travel Plans and Logistics
Parking spaces are limited. Joining this trip will possibly require a carpool plan since there are limited parking permits.
More information regarding meetup location and carpooling plans to follow upon registration.
Meet Your Guide:
Monica Mendoza is our C.E.O (Chief Enjoyment Officer) of Grow Outside.
Hello there! I’m Monica, your personal guide. I have a love for outdoor recreation coupled with connecting to the natural world both physically and emotionally. I find nature as a safe container that does not bear judgment, is always there and ready to hold space for myself and others. This retreat immerses my woven path of life as an emotion coach, backpacking guide, and Forest Therapy guide. As an emotion coach, I support people in finding balance in their present space of mind. With years of experience as a backpacking guide, my goal is for you to feel physically safe with encouragement in finding your inner wild woman, a feminine source of fierceness and capability. This journey will focus on cultivating a space for both your body and mind to find balance and a natural rhythm. We start on a physical trail that is defined with weight on your shoulders (physically and perhaps mentally). As we move through this journey together we will use the surrounding natural elements to release that weight, to gain perspective and build connections with other women and the natural world.
I have had a love of nature since childhood and it has opened many doors to adventure. I appreciate bugs (yes bugs!), bike rides, kayaking, paddleboarding, outdoor youth education, sunsets and sunrises. Honestly any day I’m in nature comforts my soul. To foster my connection with the outdoors I started backpacking which filled my heart in more ways than I expected. I met my husband through my journey of going on my first solo backpacking trip. With a focus on deepening my relationship with the More-Than-Human World and slowing down, I became a certified Forest Therapy Guide where I guide participants in the practice of Forest Bathing. Forest Bathing is a slow and mindful experience of awakening your senses and connecting to nature through a series of “invitations.” Like a spider web that has many attachment points, I am also an emotion coach and a mom of three daughters. I love empowering women to feel capable, strong, wild and free. Favorite Trail Food: Anytime I can put my food in a tortilla, and Marcona almonds with Rosemary from Trader Joes.
Gear Logistics
Our group will be led by professional guide, Monica Mendoza that will share knowledge, stories, and is Wilderness CPR & First Aid Certified.
The guide will bring:
- All Group Cooking Gear
- Stoves and Fuel
- First Aid Kit
- Emergency Satellite Transponder
Participants WILL BE PROVIDED:
- Backpack
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Tent (2 people per tent or single capacity…let us know.)
- Headlamp
- Nalgene (1L water container)
- Trekking Poles
- Bowl, Spoon, Cup
- Day 1: Dinner
- Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 3: Breakfast & Lunch
- ***Dietary accommodations must be communicated ahead of time***
- EPIC FUN
Participants will be responsible for the following:
Personal Food Items
- Snacks
- Lunch on Day 1
Active / Adventure Wear
- Hiking boots or Tennis Shoes that have good traction (Be sure your shoes are broken in ahead of time)
- Hiking socks *2 pairs (lightweight for day use and warm pair for bed) – (synthetic or wool) My favorite socks are the brand, “Darn Tough”
- Hiking / Athletic pants or leggings
- Hiking/Athletic shorts (optional)
- T-shirts (1-2) – Dry fit technical shirts are best.
- Long sleeve shirt (lightweight, synthetic) – think warm and/or sun protection.
- Insulated jacket
- Rain jacket depending on weather
- Hat
- Beanie
Sleep Wear and Personal
- Base Layer Top and Bottoms (lightweight, synthetic or wool) – weather can go from warm to very cold.
- Underwear
- Flip-flops / Sandals
Personal Items
- Hand sanitizer
- Bandana and/or pee rag
- Chapstick/Lip Balm
- Sunblock
- Insect Repellant
- Feminine hygiene products
- Travel toothbrush/paste
- Travel contact lenses and solution
- Prescription medications
- Allergy remedies
- Journal / book (optional)
- Small battery charger for phone (optional) – No cell signal is available at Wildcat Campground
Cancellations/Refunds: If you need to cancel, a full refund will be provided up to two weeks prior to trip departure date. Cancellation notice with more than 1 week and less than two week’s notice will be provided a “trip credit.” Less than 1 week notice, no refunds or credits will be issued. All trips are rain or shine unless listed by the National Weather Service as Extreme Weather Warning. Refunds and or credits will be issued if the guide states the trip will be cancelled at any time. By booking the trip you agree to these terms.