Forget COVID, Get Mono!

Meet: Friday, 9/30 1:30 pm TroGro (Starbucks by New North)

Return: Sunday, 10/2 late afternoon

Member: $121

Non member: $152

Activity: Backpacking, camping

Difficulty: 5/8 Distance (miles): 9 miles Elevation (ft): 2200 ft

Recommended Prior Experience: Backpacking experience is strongly suggested. Camping/overnight experience needed.

Location of Trip: Mono Pass, Inyo National Forest, Sierra National Forest

Native Land: Ancestral Lands of the Miwok

Have you ever had Mono before?

If yes, I feel your pain. But you know what won’t be as painful? Coming along with Tadd and Chloe on a backpacking trip through the Mono Pass! We’re leaving USC in the early afternoon on Friday 9/30 to drive up to French Camp near Bishop/Tom’s Place for the night. Then, we’ll get up nice and early on Saturday to drive the last 10 miles to the trailhead and start the backpack! We’ll pass through beautiful forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers as we ascend up and through the Mono Pass and camp near Summit Lake on Saturday night. Then, on Sunday, we’ll enjoy a nice breakfast at the lake before we backpack down the pass and drive back to USC. We also may stop at an awesome pie place in Bishop on the way back to celebrate us being able to survive multiple nights in the wilderness without pie!

Some backpacking experience is strongly suggested for this trip due to the elevation, distance, and weather variables. But if you’re up for the challenge, come ready to get your booty poppin’ and your heart throbbin’!

Contact the Guides:

Tadd Long: taddlong@usc.edu

Chloe Knitt: cknitt@usc.edu

What to Bring:

*REMINDER: if you do not have something on this list, do not panic. SC Outfitters has gear that can supplement whatever you have!*

• Backpacking pack

• Sleeping bag

• Sleeping pad

• 3 L of water

• Headlamp

• Mess kit/plate

• Hiking boots/trail runners/hiking shoes

• Toothbrush/toothpaste/other toiletries

• ***Cold weather apparel (Jacket, hat, gloves, extra layers, etc.)***

• Athletic material clothing for hiking

• 2-3 pairs of socks + undergarmets

• Sunglasses/hat

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Hand sanitizer

Please Review Our Cancellation and Refund Policy:

All SC Outfitter trips have a no-refund policy unless a substitute participant can be found. In the event your trip requires added reporting measures of participants (plane tickets, external providers, rental services, etc.) dropping the trip close to the date of the trip will not allow for the spot to be re-filled. See the details on trip pages for specific deadlines and reference our complete cancellation/refund policy here.

TRIP DIFFICULTY RATING SYSTEM

• Difficulty rating for trips

  • 1: No physical activity.

  • 2: Leisurely walk.

  • 3: 3-5 miles, about 1500 ft of gain, well maintained trails. About 3 hours of continuous activity.

  • 4: 5-10 miles, about 3000 ft of gain, well maintained trails. 4-6 hours of continuous activity.

  • 5: 10-14 miles, over 3000 ft of gain, variable trail conditions possible. Full day of continuous activity.

  • 6: At high altitude. 10-14 miles, over 3000 ft of gain, variable trail conditions possible. Full day of continuous activity.

  • 7: Technical skills may be necessary. At high altitude. Scrambling involved

  • 8: u gunna die

And that’s it! Well that and make sure to have a blast on your trip!