 |
Many people think they need to bring a change of clothes for every day that they will be hiking. Bringing that
many items of clothing would almost fill your entire pack.
What we recommend is a set of clothes for hiking and set of clothes for the campsite. Typically, the campsites we
stay at, in the backcountry, are in near water so you can rinse off your dirty clothes once we get to camp each
night and then set them out to dry for use the next day. A set of clean clothes is NOT absolutely necessary for
the campsite, but I find it nice to have something clean and dry to put on in the evening.
Keep in mind that clothing is very dependant on the season you are hiking as well as the location of the trip. For
the most part, Backcountry Found trips can be broken down into the following categories:
Spring (May – Early June) and Fall (Late September – October) Season Yosemite
Generally, days are pretty mild during this timeframe with temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s. When in the
sunshine or when hiking or exerting oneself, light clothing is fine (T-Shirt/Shorts), however, in the shade or when
just sitting around a few warmer layers might be needed. In the evening, temperatures can drop significantly,
sometimes even into the 30’s or 40’s. Much warmer clothing (Fleece, Pants, Long-Johns, Coats, Hats, Gloves,
etc.) may be required for those times of the day. Rain is always possible during these times so always be
prepared for the possibility of that.
Summer (Late June – Sept) Season Yosemite
Generally, days and nights are pretty warm so a lot less clothing is required. Temperatures usually in the 70’s
and 80’s at higher altitudes and even warmer at lower elevations. Very light, non cotton clothing is preferred for
hiking and the days. Light layers are good for the evenings if things cool down enough, but heavy clothing is
probably not required. As always, rain can happen at any time, but instead of a heavy raincoat, a light poncho or
liner coat can be used. Insects can be a problem this time of year so keep in mind long layers are good for
protecting you from mosquitoes, etc.
Summer (Late May – Mid Sept) Season Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree
Typically, these months are too warm for hiking in these locations. This is the desert and temperatures range in
the 100’s. Unless there is a lot of water available (only some trials in the Grand Canyon), we typically will not
conduct tours during this time. Clothing required for these times is extremely light. Pants and coats are typically
not required and only a light rain coat liner or poncho is good.
Spring (May – Early June) and Fall (Late Sept – October) Season Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree
Generally, hiking during these periods in the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree is warm, but not completely
miserable. Temperatures tend to stay in the 90’s during the days, but drop a bit at night down into the 50’s or 60’
s. Only light clothing is required for these trips. Ensure you bring some rain protection as, even though it is
warm, rain is very common in the summer in the Grand Canyon. Long, light layers are also good to protect your
skin if you are sensitive to the sun. Visors or hats with brims are recommended. Occasionally, temperatures do
get cooler in the early spring and late fall so be prepared to bring a few extra layers if we are having cooler
weather.
My personal preference for clothing is as follows:
Summer Yosemite AND Spring and Fall Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree
Convertible Pants – Shorts worn for hiking, Pants zipped on if necessary
2 Pair Non Cotton T-Shirts – One worn each day while hiking, aired out at night, one for camp
2 Pair Socks – One worn each day while hiking, aired out at night, one for camp
1-2 Poly-Pro Shirts – Sometimes worn in morning or during breaks while hiking or just worn at camp. If it’s cooler,
one of these can be replaced by a light fleece
2 Pair Underwear - worn each day while hiking, aired out at night, one for camp (as required)
Pants or Long Shorts – For Camp
Hiking Shoes – Low or High Top shoes are fine. If you have sturdy tennis shoes, those might be acceptable as
well. Most trails we travel on are well developed and maintained.
Flip Flops – Or some other comfortable camp shoe
Light Rain Coat or Jacket
Cap or Bandana (As required)
Spring and Fall Yosemite (or if you tend to be a cooler person)
All of the above, plus a few more warm layers including potentially:
Long John Bottoms
Heavy Fleece
Heavier Rain Coat
Beanie
If you are unsure how warm or cold that you will be, you can bring extra clothing and try out different things on
the first night while we are at the developed campsite. Anything that you think you will not need, you can leave in
the cars.
Remember, the two most important factors are your PACK WEIGHT and your PERSONAL COMFORT. You need
to balance your pack weight comfort level with you temperature and cleanliness comfort level.
many items of clothing would almost fill your entire pack.
What we recommend is a set of clothes for hiking and set of clothes for the campsite. Typically, the campsites we
stay at, in the backcountry, are in near water so you can rinse off your dirty clothes once we get to camp each
night and then set them out to dry for use the next day. A set of clean clothes is NOT absolutely necessary for
the campsite, but I find it nice to have something clean and dry to put on in the evening.
Keep in mind that clothing is very dependant on the season you are hiking as well as the location of the trip. For
the most part, Backcountry Found trips can be broken down into the following categories:
Spring (May – Early June) and Fall (Late September – October) Season Yosemite
Generally, days are pretty mild during this timeframe with temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s. When in the
sunshine or when hiking or exerting oneself, light clothing is fine (T-Shirt/Shorts), however, in the shade or when
just sitting around a few warmer layers might be needed. In the evening, temperatures can drop significantly,
sometimes even into the 30’s or 40’s. Much warmer clothing (Fleece, Pants, Long-Johns, Coats, Hats, Gloves,
etc.) may be required for those times of the day. Rain is always possible during these times so always be
prepared for the possibility of that.
Summer (Late June – Sept) Season Yosemite
Generally, days and nights are pretty warm so a lot less clothing is required. Temperatures usually in the 70’s
and 80’s at higher altitudes and even warmer at lower elevations. Very light, non cotton clothing is preferred for
hiking and the days. Light layers are good for the evenings if things cool down enough, but heavy clothing is
probably not required. As always, rain can happen at any time, but instead of a heavy raincoat, a light poncho or
liner coat can be used. Insects can be a problem this time of year so keep in mind long layers are good for
protecting you from mosquitoes, etc.
Summer (Late May – Mid Sept) Season Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree
Typically, these months are too warm for hiking in these locations. This is the desert and temperatures range in
the 100’s. Unless there is a lot of water available (only some trials in the Grand Canyon), we typically will not
conduct tours during this time. Clothing required for these times is extremely light. Pants and coats are typically
not required and only a light rain coat liner or poncho is good.
Spring (May – Early June) and Fall (Late Sept – October) Season Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree
Generally, hiking during these periods in the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree is warm, but not completely
miserable. Temperatures tend to stay in the 90’s during the days, but drop a bit at night down into the 50’s or 60’
s. Only light clothing is required for these trips. Ensure you bring some rain protection as, even though it is
warm, rain is very common in the summer in the Grand Canyon. Long, light layers are also good to protect your
skin if you are sensitive to the sun. Visors or hats with brims are recommended. Occasionally, temperatures do
get cooler in the early spring and late fall so be prepared to bring a few extra layers if we are having cooler
weather.
My personal preference for clothing is as follows:
Summer Yosemite AND Spring and Fall Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree
Convertible Pants – Shorts worn for hiking, Pants zipped on if necessary
2 Pair Non Cotton T-Shirts – One worn each day while hiking, aired out at night, one for camp
2 Pair Socks – One worn each day while hiking, aired out at night, one for camp
1-2 Poly-Pro Shirts – Sometimes worn in morning or during breaks while hiking or just worn at camp. If it’s cooler,
one of these can be replaced by a light fleece
2 Pair Underwear - worn each day while hiking, aired out at night, one for camp (as required)
Pants or Long Shorts – For Camp
Hiking Shoes – Low or High Top shoes are fine. If you have sturdy tennis shoes, those might be acceptable as
well. Most trails we travel on are well developed and maintained.
Flip Flops – Or some other comfortable camp shoe
Light Rain Coat or Jacket
Cap or Bandana (As required)
Spring and Fall Yosemite (or if you tend to be a cooler person)
All of the above, plus a few more warm layers including potentially:
Long John Bottoms
Heavy Fleece
Heavier Rain Coat
Beanie
If you are unsure how warm or cold that you will be, you can bring extra clothing and try out different things on
the first night while we are at the developed campsite. Anything that you think you will not need, you can leave in
the cars.
Remember, the two most important factors are your PACK WEIGHT and your PERSONAL COMFORT. You need
to balance your pack weight comfort level with you temperature and cleanliness comfort level.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
____________________________________________________________________________________________
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |