Great Outdoors OCLB Presents:
One Night in the Woods, Beginner Backpack
May 24 to 25th, 2026, in Angeles National Forest
Are you new to backpacking, but not sure how to start?
Are you an avid hiker and curious to give backpacking a try?
If you are, join us for a beginner backpack! This outing is focused on members without prior backpacking experience who are curious to try it. A great baby step for folks new to backpacking is to hike on a familiar trail to an established campsite and spend the night in the woods on an ideal weather day.
Join us for a single-night excursion into the woods and build your confidence for your next backpacking adventure.
Registration: Limited to (4) members, no guests, no pets.
Requirements: Prospective attendees must be screened by the trip leader for readiness to hike uphill in the wilderness and carry weight on their backpack at elevation.
Register your interest in the event. You will be confirmed to join this outing after being screened by the trip leader.
This outing is not appropriate for casual walkers or folks hiking uphill in the wilderness for the first time.
This outing is appropriate for wilderness hikers experienced in hiking uphill with a day pack.
Essential Required Gear: Multi-Day Backpack (capacity 50-70 L), One to Two Person Ultra-Light backpacking tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, headlight with fresh batteries, water filter, bear-proof canister, dehydrated food and snacks for one day, backpack stove with lighter, fuel, pan, long-handled spork, minimum 2 Liters of water, toilet paper with trowel, hand sanitizer, extra Ziplock bags for waste (leave no trace), first aid kit and personal medications, sturdy hiking shoes, and trekking poles.
Additional gear: Jacket, beanie, wide-brimmed hat, inflatable pillow, sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap, travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, and card games (optional).
Transportation: Each member is responsible for arranging their own transportation.
Carpool: Carpooling is highly encouraged to save fuel, share costs, and ease parking at the trailhead. Attendees may contact one another to arrange carpooling.
Fee: This is a FREE outing for attendees. Sharing the cost of a carpool is appreciated.
Meeting location: Mt. Islip Saddle Trailhead parking lot on Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2), driving from Wrightwood or La Canada. State Route 39 from Azusa is closed past Crystal Lake and does not connect to the Angeles Crest Highway.
Park at the trailhead parking lot and display your current national forest adventure pass or national park pass on your vehicle.
Important Information: There is limited or no cell phone service at the trailhead and campsite.
Destination: Little Jimmy Trail Camp is a popular hike-in campground located in the Angeles National Forest near Azusa, CA. The campground is 2 miles from the Islip Saddle parking area, and the trail offers a scenic hike to the campsite.
Trail Description: Mileage- 2 miles one way to camp, 4 miles round trip. Elevation gain from the trailhead to the camp is 800 feet. We begin from the Mt. Islip Saddle trailhead and hike on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The trail can be challenging, especially during the first mile, which is steep and exposed as it climbs a series of switchbacks.
Do not touch or have any skin contact with any vegetation. Hikers have reported poodle dog bush by the trail during the first mile. The second mile levels off and is generally flat. We will hike past a burn scar.
Permits & Adventure Pass: Permits are not required to camp at Little Jimmy Trail camp. Vehicles parked at the Mt. Islip Saddle trailhead must display a national forest adventure pass or a national park pass.
Facilities: The campground features several first-come, first-served sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. It also has a water source from Little Jimmy Springs, which is located ¼ mile from camp.
The camp is ideal for backpackers and scout groups, offering a rustic yet improved wilderness retreat amid beautiful Colter Pines and Big Cone Douglas-firs.
Little Jimmy campground is a very popular destination. I anticipate many hikers on the trail and at the campground due to Memorial Day weekend. Starting our hike early is key to getting a campsite.
Activities: After we arrive at Little Jimmy Trail Camp and set up camp, we will take an optional day hike to Mount Islip, continuing 1.5 miles to the summit.
We will detour off the PCT and follow the Islip Ridge Trail to gain the summit. The elevation gain from the camp to the summit is 866 feet.
Altogether, we will gain 1,666 feet in elevation from the trailhead to Little Jimmy and the summit of Mt. Islip, and hike 7 miles round trip on this overnight excursion.
Weather & Temperatures: Little Jimmy Campground usually experiences mild, pleasant days, but temperatures can drop to freezing due to its high elevation above 7,000 feet. While specific daily temperature logs for May are not detailed, be prepared for cold nights (in the 30 to 40-degree range) and moderate, sunny days.
Pets: No pets.
Schedule of Activities:
Sun, May 24th at 9 am- Meet at Mt. Islip Saddle Trailhead parking lot. Depart at 9:30 am
Hike to Little Jimmy Trail Camp and establish camp. Drop off our backpacks. Day hike to Mt. Islip summit. Filter water from Little Jimmy Spring for extra water. Return to camp and enjoy some downtime.
Mon, May 25th at 9 am- Break camp, hike back to the trailhead. Optional lunch after.
Helpful References:
All Trails website or mobile app. Type “Islip Saddle to Mt Islip via Little Jimmy Campground” in the search box. Read the trail description and hiker reviews. A trail preview video and a downloadable map are available with a subscription.
Hiking Guy.com- Mt Islip (step-by-step trail hike & video).
YouTube- Little Jimmy Campground.
Inclement Weather or an emergency cancels this event.
Any questions? Email the trip leader: Michael M. [email protected]
Disclosure: I may not reply to emails right away due to my work schedule. I will reply to emails about this event on my day off.
Photos from the GO OCLB 7-day Backpack at Olympic National Park, Hoh River Rainforest in Washington State. July 2020.
