Backpacking with Books
Tecumseh Trail, Yellowwood State Forest
June 14-15, 2025
Co-Trip Leaders: A'ame Joslin and Elizabeth Pecora
Type of Trip: Backpacking/Books
Trip Cost: $40 (non refundable)
Wilderness Level: 2 - typical meetup day event in good weather setting with cell coverage
Trip Difficulty: Moderate, 4 mile maximum during weekend, 850 ft elevation
Policy on Fitness Self-Assessment
Level 1: Applies to trips in which we carry only day packs and stay on maintained trails. Hiking distances range from 3-6 mile, and elevation gain can be as much as 2000 feet. You should be comfortable hiking 3-6 miles in a day with considerable gain/loss on good trails.
Level 2: Primarily applies to trips in which we carry only day packs. In one day, we can hike up to 9 miles and 4500 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 7 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged, less-maintained trails. For a Level 2 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a light day pack. If a backpacking trip has a Level 2 rating, it means the distances are 2-4 miles with little elevation gain/loss.
Group Size: 12/6 Maximum/Minimum
Adults Only
Do you have a book you’d like to read but can’t find the time to get away from your devices and responsibilities at home? Bring your book (or e-reader) into the woods where you can read with fewer distractions! We will hike a few miles on the Tecumseh Trail to spend the night under the stars reading our books. You will be responsible for your own meals (Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast) and snacks. This is a unique trip for all levels of hiking that combines two great hobbies: hiking and reading.
We will backpack to our campsite approximately 2 miles and set up camp and have lunch. After lunch, we can take a hike back to the lake and read in rowboats, or a short hike before dinner. (bring a small daypack or fanny pack for water and snacks) to explore the forest. In the morning, we will prepare breakfast and break camp and backpack back to the parking lot. You are able to rent rowboats and kayaks Sunday morning.
Don’t have gear? No worries, CIWC has gear you can borrow: Tents, backpacks and other club gear such as stoves and water filters. Suggested gear lists and other information will be provided by your trip leader. Please bring your own sleeping bags and sleeping pads.
Leaders will provide trip details regarding meals, what to bring, and other information.
All trip participants will have the ability to hike 4 miles in hilly terrain.
All trip participants must fill out and submit a CIWC Medical Form and Long Waiver Form.
Effective on all trips, there will be a $40 non refundable registration fee. This fee will be assessed to those who sign up for a trip, get on the roster and then later cancel. Even cancelling before the cancel date. Those who never make the active roster (i.e. those who stay on the waitlist) will NOT be charged the $40 cancellation fee.
