Birthday
Adventure
to the Summit
of Friendship

Your complete Timpanogos overnight gear checklist. Pack smart. Pack light. Leave no trace.

• Sleep System
• Tent, bivy, or hammock
• Sleeping bag — rated 20°F or lower
• Insulated sleeping pad
• Compressible pillow
• Clothing Layers
• Moisture-wicking base layer (top + bottom)
• Insulating mid-layer (fleece or down)
• Waterproof rain jacket + pants
• Hiking pants or shorts
• Warm hat + gloves (nights are cold)
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Wool or synthetic socks × 2 pairs
• Broken-in trail boots or hikers (do not wear new shoes for the first time on this hike — you will feel needless pain if you don't heed my counsel here, peeps)
• Camp sandals or lightweight shoes
• Navigation
• Phone with offline map downloaded (you will be moving with the group and we will navigate, but it's good backup to have this)
• Portable battery charger
• Food + Water
• Water filter (we will have a system that waters the entire camp efficiently, but this is not a bad thing to bring if you have one or want to test one out you just purchased — you do not need to go buy this)
• 2L water capacity (bottles or reservoir)
• Backpacking stove + fuel if you have one (we will have a shared stove and fuel for the group)
• Lighter + waterproof matches
• Pot or mug
• Spork / utensils
• Dinner for night 1 (freeze-dried works)
• Breakfast for morning 2
• Trail lunch + high-cal snacks + caffeine supplements
• Bear bag if you have one
• Safety + First Aid
• First aid kit (blister kit is essential)
• Headlamp + spare batteries
• Emergency mylar blanket
• Whistle
• Multi-tool or knife
• Ibuprofen / personal meds
• Hygiene + LNT
• Trowel (dig 6in, stay 200ft from water)
• Biodegradable soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper + pack-out bag
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ (altitude is serious)
• Bug spray (DEET or permethrin)
• SPF lip balm
• Pack + Extras
• Backpack 40–60L with hip belt
• Pack rain cover
• Trekking poles (optional technically, but you would be very dumb to not have these and I will remind you of that throughout the adventure)
• $10 cash (parking)
• Substances if you want

Honestly? This path will serve as a reminder of the strength within you. You will be filled with a sense of pride and honor upon achieving completion. The Grove Creek + Battle Creek Loop is roughly 8 miles round trip with about 2,611 feet of elevation gain over varied terrain. The trail is well-defined and regularly traveled. The climb is the wildcard — 2,600 ft of gain in the first half is sustained, and your quads will absolutely have something to say about it. If you are not used to that, don't get in your head about it. We will move at a group pace and keep it fun and friendly. I'm hella patient with new people. Nobody gets left behind. This is a birthday party, not a time trial. although I may choose to do a time trial leading up to the trip if anyone wants to join that, lol.

The Wasatch foothills in early June are spectacular. Expect warm days (65–80°F at the trailhead, a touch cooler in the canyon shade), cool nights (40–50°F at camp), and afternoon thunderstorms that build fast and arrive with conviction. Bring layers for every scenario because mountain weather changes its mind a lot in an afternoon. The mosquitoes come out near Battle Creek and Grove Creek and are enthusiastic. Pack bug spray.

Yes. Unequivocally. Backpacking for the first time with a group of experienced people is the single best way to do it. You will have people to borrow gear from, answer every question, help you set up your tent in the dark, and witness your complete transformation from nervous first-timer into someone who cannot stop telling everyone they know that they need to go backpacking. Reach out before the trip with gear questions. REI and local Utah outfitters offer overnight gear rentals for a reasonable day rate. The only wrong answer here is not coming.

Yes. REI Salt Lake City rents camping and hiking gear by the day — tents, sleeping bags, pads, packs, and more. It is a great way to try gear before you buy, or just avoid the upfront cost if this is your first time out. Browse REI Salt Lake City rentals here.

We will dispersed camp in the meadow up top following Leave No Trace principles — at least 200 feet from any water source, using durable surfaces, and spreading out our footprint to minimize impact. There are excellent flat spots in the trees up there. No reservations, no fees, no neighbors closer than the next tree. Just you, your tent, your friends, a possible campfire (depending on fire restrictions — always check current USFS fire ban status before your trip), and a sky full of stars over Utah Valley. We can and will bring a camp stove regardless of fire status.

Reach out to Thomas or Kaelyn. This has become one of our favorite things. My anxiety was the stuff of legends the first few times I did this — I get why you're worried. Let's talk about it, and yeah, maybe you shouldn't come, but we can talk and I will tell you if I think you are being crazy like I was. Good friends will tell you when you are being crazy.