Llama Trek Information
Where We Trek ~ Trip Format ~ What's Included ~ What to Bring
Weather ~ Meals on the Trail ~ Kids & Llamas ~ Conditioning
Lodging & Travel Information ~ Your Guides ~FAQ ~ Backcountry Hints
In the highlands of South America,
the great Inca empire was built on the backs of llamas as they carried goods
through rugged mountains. For centuries, caravans of llamas were used to
transport salt, grain, and root crops to trading centers throughout the
Andes. Today llamas have a new home in the North American backcountry. And
with it a new role as hiking companions for those who wish to experience
the pleasures of a wilderness journey without the burden of a heavy backpack.
Our early summer trek takes us into Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Remote and seldom visited, this region of eastern Oregon offers expansive vistas across North America's deepest gorge. While walking along the canyon benches high above the Snake River, we have many chances to view elk herds, enjoy spectacular wildflower displays and perhaps glimpse a golden eagle.
As the snow melts off the mountain passes in July we begin our summer
treks into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. At 361,000 acres, it is Oregon's largest
wilderness area. Uncrowded and unspoiled, this region was carved by glaciers
just 12,000 years ago and features rugged marble and granite peaks towering
to nearly 10,000 feet. The area's forests are home to mule deer and Rocky
Mountain elk. Bighorn sheep and mountain goats may be glimpsed on the ridge
tops above. Sparkling streams and high mountain lakes yield rainbow and
brook trout while summer's wildflowers carpet alpine meadows.
This special corner of Oregon is filled with natural and cultural attractions. The town of Joseph, with its distinctly western flavor, is home to a nationally renowned fine arts bronze foundry as well as many unique shops and galleries. You may wish to extend your stay in the area to visit Hells Canyon, Wallowa Lake, or ride the tram to the top of 8,000 foot Mt. Howard.
On the trail, you may choose to lead a llama (and make a new friend!) or amble along at your own pace. We find that people tend to stick pretty close to the llamas since their alert behavior often helps us spot wildlife we might otherwise miss. Llamas are smaller and more docile than horses or mules, and not nearly as intimidating to people with little experience handling large animals.
During the trip you
will be responsible for packing your llama bag and putting up/taking down
your tent. We're happy to help with instruction and assistance when necessary.
Our staff will tend to other camp chores, however you're welcome to pitch
in whenever you wish.
Campfires are allowed in the areas where we trek, and we enjoy an evening fire when conditions permit, following the low-impact camping guidelines that are part of our regular routine. We have a hand washing area in camp, keeping soap out of the streams and lakes. We carry out all non-burnable trash and do our best to keep the physical and visual impacts of our groups to a minimum. Trench latrines will be used for in camp for sanitary facilities.
Drinking water is plentiful along the trail and in camp. We have both hand-pumped and gravity water filter systems available for group use.
Each
scheduled trip includes lodging the nights before and after the trek in Joseph, Oregon. We begin with an evening get-together
for a light supper and orientation. After breakfast the next morning transportation
is provided to the trailhead and your hike begins. At the end of the trek,
we'll return to Joseph and enjoy a final dinner together to celebrate trip's
end.
The scheduled trek price includes meals from the first evening's gathering through the last night's dinner, two night's lodging (based on double occupancy -- single rates may be requested and are subject to availability), and round trip trailhead transportation as well as tents and sleeping pads. Price does not include transportation to/from Joseph, tips to trekking staff, trip insurance, or other items of a personal nature.
We send out a complete list of recommended gear and hints on how best to pack, upon reservation confirmation. The main items included on that list are: comfortable hiking boots with ankle support, sturdy day pack, warm sleeping bag, rain jacket and pants, clothing for warm and cold weather, and of course your camera with plenty of film. Due to restricted space on the llamas, each guest must limit personal gear that the llamas carry to 20 pounds, including sleeping bag
We provide roomy North Face VE-25 tents that will be shared by two guests. Guests who sign up alone may expect to share a tent with another guest of the same gender. We also provide 3/4 length foam sleeping pads, though guests often bring their own Thermarest pad if they have one. Space limits us to one pad per guest, yours or ours.
Where We Trek ~ Trip Format ~ What's Included ~ What to Bring
Weather ~ Meals on the Trail ~ Kids & Llamas ~ Conditioning
Lodging & Travel Information ~ FAQ ~ Backcountry Hints
Summer daytime temperatures should be warm--65-80°; nights can range from chilly to downright frosty. Mornings in camp are typically in the low to mid-40's. Rain is possible, and so is snow at higher elevations any month of the year. If you pay special attention to the rain and cold weather-oriented gear on the equipment list, you should be prepared for all types of weather on your trek.
We take pride in serving fresh and wholesome meals prepared with imagination and designed to fuel hearty hiker's appetites. Returning guests always say how much they enjoy the variety and nutrition in our menus. Meals emphasize home-grown vegetables, whole grain breads and fresh fruits. They are easily adapted to suit vegetarians on our treks, and with advance notice we do our best to accommodate most other dietary needs.
Typical trail breakfasts include green chili quiche, muffins and melon; pancakes, Canadian bacon and nectarines; hearty granola, berries, sausages and English muffins; and seven-grain hot cereal, banana bread and honeydew melon. Juice, coffee, cocoa and a selection of herbal and black teas are always available.
Our group picnic lunches feature smoked fish, bagels and cream cheese, hearty orzo pasta salad, tabouli, or wild rice salad. Our layover day "sack lunches" include specialty lunch rolls or sandwiches, chips, carrot sticks, and fruit or fruit juice. Home-baked brownies, cookies, and surprise treats regularly pop up on the menu as well.
Dinners feature jambala, corn muffins, and green salad; sauteed chicken, risotto, garden veggies and whole grain rolls; our special trail oriental stir fry; and pasta night with garlic bread and fresh garden salad. Desserts include homemade cakes and other delights.
Some of our guests' favorite recipes are available on our recipe page.
We welcome families with children
on our treks. A llama trek is a delightful way to introduce young people
to the wonders of nature. Our llamas are gentle and easily led by the youngest
of hikers, and in camp they delight in being hand-fed their evening hay
pellet treats as a reward for their efforts on the trail.
Our leisurely base camp trips are well-suited to youngsters at least six years of age. Enthusiastic young hikers will enjoy our more strenuous progressive trips. Parents should keep in mind that their children should be willing hikers, as they cannot ride the llamas.
While no special skills are required for our treks, we ask that trekkers be fit and in good health. We travel from 4-9 miles a day at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 8,500 feet over mountainous terrain. For those who do not get regular exercise we encourage you to select one of the more leisurely treks and strongly recommend a conditioning routine prior to your trip, knowing that it will greatly enhance your trekking experience. For those who enjoy regular walking or hiking we know you'll find our treks stimulating exercise and recommend a few longer day hikes with substantial elevation gain prior to your trip.
Where We Trek ~ Trip Format ~ What's Included ~ What to Bring
Weather ~ Meals on the Trail ~ Kids & Llamas ~ Conditioning
Lodging & Travel Information ~FAQ ~ Backcountry Hints
Joseph is located in the northeastern corner of Oregon, on State Highway 82, 320 miles from Portland, 115 from Pendleton, 230 from Boise, 200 from Spokane, and 88 miles from Lewiston, ID. Cars can be rented at the airports in the towns listed above. We can also assist with reserving shuttle van service from Pendleton or Lewiston directly to Joseph. (Click here for an Adobe Acrobat .PDF version of our Traveler Information including a regional map and driving route descriptions.)
All our guides share a commitment to making your trip safe, fun and enjoyable, and they meet all requirements set forth by the State of Oregon and the U.S. Forest Service, including first aid and CPR training.
Unless you've gone hiking with llamas before, you'll no doubt have a few questions. . .
How many people will be in our group? Wilderness regulations limit group size in the Hells Canyon and Eagle Cap Wildernesses to twelve people. Our groups are comprised of up to ten guests and at least two staff members.
How many llamas will we take? Will each person have one? For most trips we take between 7 and 10 llamas. We use at least three to carry all the food and kitchen items. Then we take one llama for every two guests. You will be welcome to lead a llama during the hikes or you may travel at your own pace. And if you're more interested in learning to pack and want to spend more time with the llamas, just let us know and we'll make you a full-fledged llama packer by trip's end.
Can you ride llamas? The answer is basically no. Our pack llamas carry up to 100 pounds of gear for us, but they are not trained to accept riders. In addition, insurance requirements limit our llamas to packing only. However, we do know llama owners with young children who have trained their llamas to carry a small child.
What kind of boots will I need? Since you'll be spending lots of hours on the trail, you'll want to make sure that your hiking boots are comfortable, fit well and are broken in. If you're buying boots for the trek, look for a pair of lightweight hiking boots that are sturdy and take very little break-in time. It's very important to have good ankle support in any boot you choose.
How strenuous is the trip? This is a relative question and certainly depends on your conditioning and the trip you choose. Each trip profile describes in detail the distances and elevations involved in your trip. All our trips involve hiking uphill at elevations ranging from 5,000-8,500 feet. Please consult the conditioning information or suggestions on how to get in shape for your trek.
What about bugs? On many of our trips, especially those in late-July through mid-August, we travel into the high country when the wildflowers and the mosquitoes are in full bloom. Their abundance varies from year to year. The good news is that mosquitoes cannot bite through ripstop nylon, making nylon warm up pants and a nylon windbreaker excellent choices for camp wear. Keep them in your day pack to help out up on breezy ridges and in camp on buggy nights. We also recommend Deep Woods Off repellent if you are customarily bothered by mosquitoes. Ticks are generally not a concern in the high country in summer.
How do we wash up? Do you bring showers? On every trip we bring along a system for washing hands and face with biodegradable soap (and even have a fingernail brush!). On some trips with layover days we also bring along a Sun Shower wash bag as well. These may be used for quick, solar-heated water showers, behind natural screening, of course. As our trips involve travel into the wilderness, guests should expect amenities on a level that is relative to that environment.
Tip #1: Be prepared for weather changes This preparation can be both physical and mental. Bring rainproof clothing and be sure to carry it in your day pack always. Things packed on the llamas are inaccessible during the hike to camp. Even if the day looks clear in the morning, afternoon thunder showers have a way of materializing out of thin air. Mentally, you should be prepared to experience life amid the elements. Rain, and even snow, are not uncommon in any mountain environment. That doesn't have to mean the trip is ruined. Some of the best hiking is on cool, bug-free, dustless days when the mist moves up and down the mountains, and the waterfalls tumbling off the canyon walls come alive. Throw in a couple extra plastic garbage bags and you'll find a use for them on damper days.
Tip #2: Don't forget a good book just in case we're tent-bound during inclement days or in case you turn in early on a frosty evening. My friend Toni Landis says "take a book of no redeeming valuethe juicier the better." If you forget one, don't despair. We have a small traveling library of field guides and books on the natural history of the area.
Tip #3: Dressing for success in the backcountry means having layers of clothing that will keep you warm and dry should the weather turn cool. I highly recommend polypropylene, capilene, or silk long underwear. These fabrics have the ability to "wick" moisture away from your skin. In this way they prevent you getting chilled as the moisture evaporates, and allow you to stay warm while hiking in cooler weather. These fabrics are lightweight, fold into nothing in your pack and make wonderful sleep wear.
Tip #4: Don't forsake comfort for style. Hiking in jeans can be hot in warm weather and a disaster in rain if they get wet (and cold and heavy). You may want to bring along a comfortable pair of sweatpants as an alternative. On cool days hiking in shorts over wicking long john bottoms is a great way to go. If it turns drizzly, just add a pair of rain pants and you're warm and dry.
Tip #5: Keeping warm at night is an important part of enjoying your backcountry journey. I love big, overstuffed mallard duck-print flannel sleeping bags, but only in a cozy mountain cabin with a woodstove. They really can't compare to today's synthetic equivalents of the optimum goose down sleeping bag when a frosty wilderness night rolls around. If you're a cold sleeper, bring a bag rated down to at least 15°. Also, leave a bit of your tent door open at night to allow your tent to "breathe", otherwise the overnight condensation build up will make you think it's rained inside your tent.
Tip #7: Blisters! To avoid them, make sure your boots are well broken in. Light-weight hiking boots have a definite advantage -- they quickly become comfortable mile in and mile out. If you know you have some perennial problem areas with your boots, be sure to carry a Spenco® Blister kit in your day pack. The minute you feel a "hot spot" on your foot, STOP and take care of the problem. Many hikers find that wearing a thin pair of liner socks inside their heavier wool pair to reduces friction on their feet.
Other ideas shared by experienced trekkers:
-- Keep a bandana in your day pack for drying your feet after creek crossings.
-- Keep a couple plastic bags (sandwich size or 1 qt.) in your day pack for trail trash or wet items.
-- Bring along an old sock or rag to help tidy up your tent.
-- Be sure to bring extra batteries for your camera, flashlight and any other battery-dependent gear. Murphy's law applies.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
We welcome your inquiries as well as the opportunity to share our llamas
and this special corner of Oregon with you, your family or your friends.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about any
aspect of our services.
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Hurricane Creek Llama Treks, Inc.
