Backpacking Trips

Camp Menogyn

Intro to Backpacking: Border Route Trail

Grades 7–8

This is a great opportunity for younger campers to experience the Menogyn Magic for the first time. Campers will time in camp preparing for their trip and then enjoy a 2 or 3-night small group hiking trip in the beautiful Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

Isle Royale Backpack

Grades 8–10

After a 90-minute ferry ride from Grand Portage, campers enjoy 9 days backpacking established trails on Isle Royale. Isle Royale is a beautiful island national park in Gitchi Gami, also known as Lake Superior.

Rocky Mountains Backpack

Grades 8–12

Campers hike deep into the Rocky Mountain wilderness areas of Montana, Wyoming, or Idaho. While exploring the mountains, campers will get to experience the spectacular mixed-alpine terrain at elevations up to 11,000 feet. Campers may travel through the Sawtooth Wilderness, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, or a similar area.

Previous backpacking experience is required for the 19-day trip (Grades 10–12).

Nor’westers

Grades 11–12
INVITATION ONLY

These adventures travel some of the most pristine rivers and scenic mountain ranges in North America. Campers can choose between backpacking in the Rocky Mountains or paddling Canadian rivers. Campers work on leadership development while learning about river travel or off-trail hiking. Campers will refine their backcountry skills as they travel the wilderness in a small, supportive group.

Waputiks / Wahkanees

Grades 12–Adult
INVITATION ONLY

These trips are the final adventure offered in Menogyn's progressive trip lineup. These backpacking groups will explore the Brooks Range of Alaska.

Long trips offer new challenges that, when faced together, build relationships that last a lifetime. Using skills and expedition mentality developed on previous Menogyn trips, campers have the opportunity to experience a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Camp Widjiwagan

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About Camp Widjiwagn

Intro to Backpacking: Porcupine Mountain

Grade 7–8

Groups of four campers and two counselors will spend three days at Widji prepping to spend five to six days hiking along the south shore of Lake Superior through one of the largest wilderness areas of the Midwest. Campers enjoy panoramic views of Lake Superior, stunning waterfalls, and fun times with their group. Groups hike along well-maintained trails, and each night the group camps at a designated backcountry campsite.

Intro to Backpacking: Isle Royale

Grade 7–8

Isle Royale, a National Park in the midst of Lake Superior’s cold clear waters, offers a fantastic introduction to backpacking. After a few days at Widji, groups of four campers and two counselors embark on a three-hour ferry ride to reach Isle Royale and then spend six to seven days hiking. Isle Royale is known for its wildlife, including moose and foxes.

Bighorn Mountain

Grades 8–10

The Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming offer an excellent introduction to mountain backpacking for confident first-time or experienced backpackers. After three days of preparation at Widji, groups of four campers and two counselors drive for two days by van to the Bighorn National Forest, in north-central Wyoming.

Campers spend approximately eight days hiking at elevations of 8,000-10,000 feet and experience the beauty and majesty of the western mountains.

Rocky Mountains

Grades 9–12

The rugged yet beautiful terrain of the Absaroka Mountains and the Spanish Peak Range in the Custer Gallatin National Forest of southwestern Montana offer experienced campers a fun challenge and the opportunity to hone their skills in pristine, mountain wilderness areas. After training and orientation at Widji, groups of four to six campers and one counselor will travel for two days by van to reach their destination.

Both mountain ranges offer excellent alpine backpacking terrain with many opportunities for campers to hike above treelines and off trail, as well as have a great adventure!

Explorer Backpack

Grade 11
INVITATION ONLY

Sessions are 26 days, with 19 days on trail. Recent groups have explored the Wind River Range in Wyoming and the Sawtooth Wilderness Area in Idaho.

Advanced Explorer Backpack

Grade 12
INVITATION ONLY

Sessions are 35 days, with 24 days on trail. Recent groups have traveled to the Beartooth Wilderness in Montana and the Willmore Wilderness in Alberta, Canada.

Mountaineers Backpack

Grade 12
INVITATION ONLY

Sessions are 48 days, with 35 to 40 days on trail. This trip travels to the mountain ranges of Alaska and Canada. Recent groups have hiked in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska, and the Ogilvie Mountains in the Yukon Territory of Canada.