2024 LL YM High Adventure Trip Info

2024 LL YM High Adventure Trip Info

(as of 7/30/2024 - future revisions are possible)

What:  4-day, 3-night Backpacking Adventure

When:  Wednesday, July 31 - Saturday, Aug 3, 2024

Where: Waptus Lake and Beyond

Who: All LL YM (All Deacons, Teachers and Priests are invited) 

Why:  Adventure is out there. 

Theme:  Doubt Not. Fear Not.

Swag:  YES!

Trip at a Glance:

- All 3 nights will be at Waptus Lake

- Day hike (out and back) on Thursday (some can stay at Waptus Lake, if needed)

- Activities at Waptus Lake on Friday

- Leaders will provide homemade freeze-dried dinners (and dessert for all well-behaved campers) for all on Wed, Thurs, Fri nights. YM are each responsible for all other food for the trip. Meals are 1) Spaghetti and meatballs, 2) Pulled pork and rice, 3) Tacos with refried beans, ground beef, rice and tortillas.

- All should bring sandals or water shoes for the river crossing. Link to river crossing photo:  link

- Spiritual Elements - morning devotionals, evening firesides, pondering activity on Friday. 

Tips:  (added on 7/30/2024)

Here are a few tips to help the trip go smoothly for you:

1. Try to fit as much as you can inside your back. If you have something on the outside of your pack, clip it in and secure it with a strap so it can't fall off and so it isn't dangling from your pack. 

2. Hydrate on the way there. We have a 1 hr, 45 minute car ride. Bring a water bottle to drink on the car ride. Don't start the hike thirsty. 

3. Bring a head bug net and cap - this was demonstrated at the pack check. This is in addition to bringing bug spray. 

4. Meals - heating up water for breakfast is fine each day. Lunch needs to be trail food (no cooking) for Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. On Friday, we may spend most of the day at or near base camp at Waptus Lake. We will have a hot dinner at base camp each night. Don't forget to bring a spoon! Dinners were handed out at the pack check on Monday night. Yes, we have more meals for those who didn't make it.

5. Food Bag - each night, everyone needs to hang their food high off the ground to protect against critters and such. To make this easier, each YM should fit all their food (dinners, lunches, snacks, everything) into a food bag that can be clipped to the line that will be raised up in the tree. We will have a group hanging line provided. But each YM should have an easy way to secure their food to the line each night. Yes, more than one food bag is fine, if needed. A drybag style bag is strongly recommended.

6. Lay out all your gear neatly and organized by system (sleeping system, shelter system, clothing, etc) - just like we did at the Monday night pack check. Use a check list and make sure you have what you need. Do this for your food, too. Arrange by food you will eat each day. 

7. If we get our preferred campsite at the south end of the lake, there will be a pit toilet very close by. Don't forget to bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer. 

Detailed Itinerary:

Wednesday

8am - Meet at the Smith home

Welcome and Morning Devotional

10:30am - Start hiking from the Salmon La Sac Trailhead (north of Cle Elum Lake)

The hike to Waptus Lake is 9.5 miles with approx 1,000 ft of gain (rolling hills with no significant climbs). There is a river crossing at 8.5 miles through very calm water, about 12-18 inches deep. Everyone must bring water shoes for the crossing. We have plenty of time - this hike is very doable for everyone coming on the trip.

Map Link (Salmon La Sac TH to Waptus Lake):  Link

4pm - Arrive at Waptus Lake

6pm - Dinner

8:30pm - Fireside

Thursday

Morning Devotional

Day Hike to Deep Lake

6pm - Dinner

8:30pm - Fireside

Friday

Morning Devotional

Activities around Waptus Lake

Pondering Activity

6pm - Dinner

8:30pm - Fireside

Saturday

Morning Devotional

Hike back to TH and drive home