Wyoming Backpacking, Day Hikes & Family Camping

July 15 - 22, 2022 (Note: This is a Friday to Friday, which is different from previous years)

Options for backcountry, day hikes or family camping in the Bighorns of Wyoming.

We're already looking forward to getting outdoors next summer and we hope that you can join us to enjoy the beauty of God's creation: the mountains, lakes, rivers, flowers... and the people that you will meet!

Notes About Next Year:

• Next year's trip dates have been set: July 15 - 22, 2022. This is a FRIDAY TO FRIDAY due to Hettinger Group Camp availability and due to the National Youth Gathering starting July 24.
• The Hettinger Group Campground is reserved beginning 11am on Friday, July 15 and leaving by 10am, July 22.
• Day hikers and family campers may choose to come for a couple of days, or the whole week.
  • Day Hikes will be led by Pastor Paul and Karen (providing several daily dayhike options)
  • Family Camp will again be led by Paul Erdmann
  • Martin will be in the backcountry
• Backcountry backpackers will depart on Friday and return on Friday.

1) Backpacking overnight in the backcountry

This is a multi-generational wilderness experience for young adults, adults and youth who have completed 8th grade. Students who have completed 7th Grade may attend with a parent. 

See and experience things that are out of the ordinary. Take a ride across Dakota, laugh with friends, enjoy Solitude, take a shower in a mountain waterfall, sing around campfires, sleep under the stars, commune with God. Hike, work, cook, play and pray together, and take part in the best adventure of all, friendship grounded in faith, guided by Jesus Christ. Come grow in friendship and faith!

Participants will carry a pack with all of their personal gear (clothing, breakfast and lunches, rain gear, sleeping bag and pad, personal snacks, etc.) and some group equipment (Group equipment includes: tents, cook kit, First Aid kit, potty packs, fuel, group food, etc.).  Here's the Packing List.

Martin Rathjen will be leading one group and another Immanuel volunteer will lead a second group.

• July 15 travel to  Hettinger Group Camp (about 15 miles west of Buffalo) and camp for the night
• July 16 - 21: backpacking in the backcountry
• July 21: hike to trailhead and go into town to shower. Spend the night at Hettinger group camp.
• July 22: drive home

2) Day Hikes with Pastor Paul & Karen

Enjoy the beauty of the Bighorn's Cloud Peak Wilderness with scenic day hikes.  You only need to carry a light pack with: water (2 water bottles or a camelbak), rain gear, a warm layer, sandals to cross streams, sun screen, lighter, whistle, small flashlight and food (Other shared group hiking items will include: First Aid Kit, water filter, potty pack, etc.).

Immanuel has a supply of tents and general camping equipment that can be borrowed if needed, otherwise, bring out your own camping equipment (there is room available for tents, campers, etc.). All sites are non-electric.   Please contact paul@immanuel.us and let him know what you may need.

If you prefrerred you could:

• come for just a couple of days on the way too or from other traveling.
• find your own accommodation in Buffalo and drive up to meet the group in the mountains!  

Optional day hikes in the Bighorns:

• which could include: Bald Ridge, Sherd Lake (and beyond), Mirror Lake and/or Lost Twin, Lake Angeline, Seven Brothers.  We're flexible so you could skip day hiking and head into Buffalo to explore!
• Pastor Paul and Karen may occasionally lead separate hikes each day (providing more hiking options)
• Friday, July 15: travel to Hettinger Group Camp (about 15 miles west of Buffalo) - check in after 11am
• Friday, July 22: check out of Hettinger by 10 a.m. and drive home 

3) Family Camp (Families of all ages!) with Paul Erdmann

Immanuel has a supply of tents and general camping equipment that can be borrowed if needed, otherwise, bring out your own camping equipment (there is room available for tents, campers, etc.). All sites are non-electric.   

If you prefrerred you could find your own accommodation in Buffalo and drive up to meet the group in the mountains!  

Please contact paule@immanuel.us and let him know what you may need.

• Friday, July 15: travel to Hettinger Group Camp (about 15 miles west of Buffalo) - check in after 11am ($20/household/night)
• Friday, July 22: check out of Hettinger by 10 a.m. and drive home 
• Come for 1 night, 2 nights, 3 or more!
• Connect with other families and explore the Bighorn Mountains area which can include: Hunter Mesa walk, West Ten Sleep Lake and Falls, Tie Hack Reservoir, Drive through the Crazy Woman Canyon, explore Buffalo

Practice Hikes

As we prepare to enjoy Wyoming we invite you to join us for a “Practice Hike” or two - an opportunity to talk through the trip while hiking.  All Backcountry, Day Hikers and Family Campers are welcome to join us.

Backcountry hikers are encouraged to bring their pack with some weight!  Bring your bodies and bring your questions!

We will hike the Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area on the Minnesota Riverbanks (in the very southwest corner of Eden Prairie),:

• Link for Directions.
• We will park/meet at the lower parking lot (right off Flying Cloud Drive)

Leave No Trace Training

TBD

We’ll meet in Immanuel's backyard and learn important skills through hands-on and interactive experiences that will help protect the wilderness. Learn how to minimize our impact on the wilderness with Leave No Trace Training (Things like: how to hike and camp respectfully, low impact cooking and camping, and how to poop in the woods...and so much more!).

Food Packing

Wednesday, July 13, 2022, 6:30 p.m.

The backcountry backpackers will pack food and organize group equipment.  For safety purposes all first-time backpackers will be asked to come in for a mandatory equipment check. First timers are asked to bring ALL the equipment that they plan to take (with the exception of underwear) so that a trip leader can check that you have all of the necessary equipment and address your questions.

Contact Pastor Paul (paul@immanuel.us) for more information.

Cost

• Backcountry Backpacking 
  • TBD - depending on transportation
  • Fishing license (if you choose to go fishing).

• Day Hikes & Family Camp:
  • $20/household/night for camping
  • transportation and food of your own choice/purchase
  • Fishing license (if you choose to go fishing).

Participants should bring money for meals on the way out and back from Wyoming.

Scholarships are available upon request

Documents

• Backpacking FAQs (Please read)
• Backpacking Equipment Needs Request Form
• Packing List
• Backpacking How To's and Gear Tips

---

Wyoming Interest Form

July 15 - 22

•   1) Backpacking in the backcountry
•   2) Day hikes with Pastor Paul & Karen
•   3) Family Camp

Comments/questions:

Name *

First Name

Last Name

Email *

Phone

Area Code

Phone Number

Please enter the word you see in the image