If you’ve ever thought, “I wonder if you can backpack in Iowa…” or have been looking to get into backpacking and want a non-intimidating introduction, then you’re in the right place!
Wander Women weekend backpacking trips are designed for folks who are new to backpacking, looking for others to backpack with, or looking to explore Iowa from a different point of view. You’ll learn basic backpacking skills while on the trail, building confidence and knowledge as the weekend progresses. Our expert guides will help you with any questions or worries you have to ensure you feel confident after the weekend!
On this trip, you’ll spend the weekend backpacking at Hitchcock Nature Area in the Loess Hills of western Iowa. The Loess Hills are an extraordinary geologic formation just outside the Missouri River Basin formed long ago by years of blowing sand and soil. They provide amazing views and excellent hiking, and are incredibly unique to Iowa. Hitchcock is one of the best places to experience their ruggedness and beauty.
During the weekend, you’ll learn backpacking basics like:
Packing for a backpacking trip, and properly packing everything into a backpack
Filtering water while backpacking (Note: While participants will learn the technique of filtering water, there are no natural water sources within Hitchcock, so filtering will be demonstrated on water we source from the park’s headquarters)
Pooping, peeing and menstruation in the woods
Basic backcountry navigation and map reading
Backcountry camp cooking
Trail safety
And more!
Adventure Rating: Beginner
This trip is a great introduction to backpacking and good for beginners. Participants will carry 25-30lb backpacks (or less, if you pack light!) along <10 miles over the course of 3 days. There will be some moderate elevation gain.
Backpacking with Wander Women: Things to Consider
Wander Women backpacking trips are physically exerting as you will be carrying up to 25-35 pounds of weight in your backpack while hiking in hilly terrain.
If you are looking for a trip where you can sneak away for lots of alone time, this is probably not the trip for you. Although, there will be chill time built into the trip!
This is a very hands-on trip. You will be expected to help with different aspects of setting up and tearing down camp, and general camp duties. This will all be done under the guidance of an experienced guide.
There will be personal items you will need to pack. We will provide you with a detailed packing list prior to the trip.
Be prepared to camp in all types of weather (rainy, cold, hot, stormy)
ACCOMMODATIONS & LOCATION
On this trip, we’ll be staying in a backcountry site in the interior of the park. We will basecamp from one site, spending our days hiking while staying in one overnight location. The site does not have nightly access to toilets or plumbing. Don’t worry! You’ll learn how to use the bathroom in the backcountry, and we’ll have plenty of water along with us. We will be following backpacking waste disposal rules and practices.
About Hitchcock Nature Area
Nestled on the rugged western edge of Iowa's Loess Hills, Hitchcock Nature Center (HNC) currently consists of 1,268 acres located near the center of the globally significant Loess Hills landform. The Loess Hills harbor some of the largest remaining prairie remnants in Iowa and provide refuge for plants and animals found nowhere else in the state. Hitchcock is open every day of the year for hiking, camping, picnicking, bird watching, snow sledding, star gazing, or simply enjoying nature.
The Loess Hills of Iowa are a globally significant landform located along the eastern edge of the Missouri River Valley. Westerly winds carrying silt and glacial material from the floodplain were deposited into massive drifts. Following this deposition, periods of erosion sculpted the land into the steep ridges and rolling hills we see today. The Loess Hills are characterized by this rugged terrain and deep deposits of loess (60-200 feet deep). The unique nature of the Loess Hills landform enables it to support rare plants, animals, and biological communities. Source: Pottawattamie County Conservation
GETTING THERE
If you are flying in from outside of Iowa, the closest airport is the Eppley Airfield (OMA) (about a 30 min drive away). You’ll need to rent a car to get to the Hitchcock, or arrange carpool with a local Wanderer. Carpooling details are sent pre-trip in the private trip Discord channel. Carpooling arrangements can’t be guaranteed, but we try our best to connect Wanderers for coordination!
““This was a fantastic trip! The campsite was perfect, it felt remote while still being near to the visitors center for any needs. It was also close to multiple different trails for exploring and seeing the beautiful sites of the loess hills. I learned a lot and feel like I can now handle planning a backpacking trip on my own or with friends.””
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Your registration provides you:
Expert planning and a professional Wander Women guide to help make the weekend as seamless and fun as possible!
Two nights of camping accommodations
All backpacking meals, including a snack pack
Group backpacking supplies, including water filters, satellite communicators and first aid kits
Wanderer swag bag full of goodies
A private trip Discord channel to connect with guides and fellow participants before & after the trip
Comprehensive pre-trip online guide with detailed logistics, packing recommendations, and trip tips
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Participants will be responsible for providing/paying for:
Transportation to/from the trip (we always encourage carpooling and can connect you with other participants to ride with!) and to trip activity locations
Gear: Participants must provide their own backpacking gear, or are able to rent backpacking gear from Wander Women
INVESTMENT
$395
PAYMENT PLAN
We offer payment plans for all our trips, so you can pay a deposit now and the rest over time! WeTravel (our booking platform) easily lets you make a downpayment (this is also your non-refundable trip deposit!) and set up automatic payments for the remainder. For the payment plan schedule, just check the WeTravel page for details. There is NO fee for choosing the payment plan option!
Deposit for this trip: $200