Backpack to Angel Island (Women Only)
Hello ladies! I’m so excited you are here!
About Angel Island:
Angel Island State Park, the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay, offers some of the best views of the surrounding Bay Area. With great hiking trails and many other recreational opportunities readily available, Angel Island is truly a hidden gem in the midst of the urban Bay Area.
Angel Island is truly a walk through time! Beginning with the earliest inhabitants, the Coast Miwok, Angel Island was a seasonal hunting and gathering location for the local native tribes, a safe refuge and supply stop for Spanish explorers like Juan Manuel de Ayala, one of the first to map the San Francisco Bay.
From 1910 to 1940, the U.S. Immigration Station processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants, the majority from China. During World War II, Japanese, and German POWs were detained at the Station before being sent to facilities farther inland.
The Island has been a cattle ranch and beginning with the Civil War at Camp Reynolds, the Island has nearly 100 years of military history. With the outbreaks of WWI and WWII thousands of troops both returning and embarking for conflicts around the world were processed through Angel Island. In the ’50s and ’60s, the Island saw its last military service as a home to a Nike missile base.
In 1954 the transition of Angel Island as a California State Park began. Starting with Ayala Cove on the western side of the Island, park visitors had the first opportunities to enjoy the beauty of this amazing Island. In the early 60’s the final departure of the military allowed the rest of Angel Island to become park lands and the rest is history!
This women’s only trip is designed for ladies that are looking for a balance of adventure and peace. Women that are eager to connect with feminine energy, and Mother Earth herself. A physical and emotional journey. Unlike other outfitters our goal is not the destination but instead CONNECTION. Through various bodyfulness practices (like mindfulness but with your whole body) we will slow down and create connection with ourselves, the land and like minded individuals.
If you have never been backpacking or perhaps it has been some time since your last trip, this is the adventure for you. With low mileage and low elevation gain, coupled with amazing scenery, this trip is sure to be a highlight of backpacking locations.
This trip is intended for beginners, so we expect that you may not have everything you need for this first step in what we hope will be your next favorite hobby. We will get you geared up with all the backpacking necessities for a fun, safe and enjoyable overnight experience. (Yes, we are spending the night on the island!)
Our group will hike 1.8 miles (Ascent: + 155 Descent: -349) into a premier backpacking location… highlighted for the best views out of all the sites on the island! We will set up camp where we have the Golden Gate Bridge within view of our campsite. (As long as San Francisco’s Karl the Fog stays at bay) We will enjoy the ocean air, and sleep under the stars. With clear skies we will have panoramic views at sunset and sunrise. (*This is considered environmental hike-in camping so there will be a picnic table, pit toilet and potable water at our site.)
Additional hikes/activities:
- Optional: Hiking to Mount Caroline Livermore which is the highest point on the island at a height of 788 feet. There are various routes to reach it with various mileage and elevation.
- We will go as a group down to Perles Beach which is 0.42 miles from camp. No swimming or wadding allowed.
- Monica will guide the group through a Forest Bathing experience to create a deeper connection with self and the land.
- Closing Circle
Meet Your Guide:
Monica Mendoza is our C.E.O (Chief Enjoyment Officer) of Grow Outside.
I love the energy and enthusiasm for outdoor recreation. With years of backpacking experience, I have spent many nights sleeping under the stars. My love of nature since childhood has opened many doors to adventure. I appreciate bugs (yes bugs!), bike rides, kayaking, paddleboarding, outdoor youth education, sunsets and sunrises, and developing a relationship of reciprocity with the land. 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 a sound therapy practitioner, emotion coach, teacher 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, Trader Joe’s green olive pouches and Marcona almonds with Rosemary.
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 supply:
- 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 & (Optional Backpacking Lunch)
- ***Dietary accommodations must be communicated ahead of time***
- EPIC FUN
Participants will need to supply the following:
Personal Food Items
- Snacks / Candy
- Lunch on Day 1 – no containers – should be packable in a ziploc bag.
Active / Adventure Wear – Event will take place rain or shine with the following exception – If there is an advisory for “severe weather” then Monica will evaluate if the event will be postponed or participants will be given a refund.
Our site is high up on the ridgetop, well away from the other campsites, and has the best view of all of the Angel Island sites. There is no shade and no shelter from the fog and/or wind blowing through the Golden Gate. BUT there are spectacular sweeping views of Mount Tamalpais, the Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco. The site has excellent privacy.
Average temperatures for February range from 55° / 46°F clothing list includes rain gear which may not be pertinent.
- Hiking boots or Tennis Shoes that have good traction. BE SURE THEY ARE BROKEN IN.
- Hiking socks *2 pairs (lightweight for day use and warm pair for bed) – (synthetic or wool) 3 pairs if rain is expected.
- Hiking / Athletic pants or leggings – if rain is expected then a second pair.
- Hiking shorts (OPTIONAL)
- T-shirts (1-2) – Dry fit technical shirts are best. if rain is expected make sure you bring 2 shirts.
- Long sleeve shirt (lightweight, synthetic) – think warm and/or sun protection.
- Insulated jacket
- RAIN JACKET – and ideally rain pants – Weather dependent.
- Hat – baseball hats work best in the rain to help keep the water out of your face and your jacket hood in the appropriate spot.
- Beanie
Sleep Wear and Additional
- Base Layer Top and Bottoms (lightweight, synthetic or wool) – weather can go from warm to very cold.
- Underwear
- Flip-flops / Sandals – a shoe like Tevas or water Keens work great.
Personal Items
- Tick spray in two ziploc bags to avoid leakage.
- Bandana and/or a “pee cloth” Available on Amazon or a Kula Cloth.
- Chapstick/Lip Balm
- Sunblock – in a ziploc bag.
- Feminine hygiene products
- Travel toothbrush/paste
- Travel contact lenses and solution
- Prescription medications
- Allergy remedies
- Journal / book (optional)
- Small battery charger for phone (optional) – It is stated that there is no cell signal on the island. I however did not have an issue with AT&T.
Your investment of $199.00 will include building your backpacking knowledge skillset, all necessary basic backpacking gear, slowing down, a guided Forest Bathing experience in this beautiful location, self-care, opportunities to connect with other wild women, ocean vibes, fresh air, digital photos documenting the experience, and countless memories.
Itinerary – Travel Logistics
It is imperative that timeliness with travel be adhered to, to make the trip a success.
Additional details about the specifics of the schedule will be given after inquiry about the trip.
Additional expenses:
Ferry Ticket: All participants must individually purchase a Golden Gate Bridge ferry ticket to Angel Island. The cost is $31.00 round trip.
Parking: It is suggested that you use the ParkWhiz app to pre pay for your parking. This ensures a parking space overnight in addition to a discounted rate. The Hills Plaza Garage at 25 Folsom St in San Francisco is a covered parking garage and will most likely be the closest to Rincon Park and the least expensive. Anticipate a parking fee of approximately $74.00. Car pooling is recommended to cut down on the rate. I can support with creating connections between yourself and other backpackers to help share the cost.
Overview of Expenses that each backpacker to responsible for:
Payment to Grow Outside will be $199.
Individually purchase Ferry Ticket on site. $31.00 round trip
Prepay for parking: approximately $74.00 – can be shared cost if carpooling.
Total Number of participants including the guide is 8.
Hours of Trip are from February 12th 8:30am – February 13th approximately 6:15pm. This does not include drive time to/from San Francisco.
Please contact Monica with questions: (916) 835-4261
*Registration closes Thursday, February 8th at 11:45pm