Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack - Tubal Cain Mine, Buckhorn Lake & Marmot Pass

Tubal Cain trail head, time TBD, probably around 8am

Please join us for a fun overnight in the Buckhorn wilderness.  This trip will require carrying water for approximately 3 miles to our campsite at Buckhorn pass, but the pay off is 360 degree views!

Trip plan is as follows:

1. Hike from the Tubal Cain trailhead to Buckhorn pass (approximately 7 miles and 3000 ft of gain). We will stop at Copper Creek for our water supply.  We may need up to 5 liters each (enough for the night and the next morning), and will be carrying our water for the last 3 or so miles.

2.  After setting up at our beautiful wilderness camp, there will be an optional hike up Buckhorn Mountain (approximately 3.5 miles and 1200 feet of gain).  There are steep areas with loose scree, but we have a great chance at viewing the resident mountain goats.

3. In the morning, there will be another optional side hike up an unnamed ridge with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca (approximately 1.8 miles and 950 feet of gain).  After this, we will break down camp and head back to the trail head, with a lunch stop at Copper Creek (approximately 7 miles, +500 ft, -3000 ft).

We will aim for a moderate 2mph overall pace; likely slower in the steeper areas, with short breaks every hour or so as needed for snacks, water, clothing adjustments etc.  

I invite any interested B3 student to contact me for leader permission to register.  In your request, please describe your backpacking and hiking trips with similar distance and gain in the last 6 months.  Without the side trips, the gain is closer to 3000 feet, but this will be amplified by the water carrying requirements.