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Trip Report and Guide for Backpacking In My Home

For the past 400 days, I’ve had the privilege of backpacking through a previously unexplored destination called My Home. Here’s my guide to this exclusive and wildlife-filled destination.

Distance: 0 miles
Days: 400 days
Elevation gain/loss: 10 feet
Best season: Year-round
Permits: None
Difficulty: Very difficult (mentally)
Navigation: Easy
Physical Difficulty: Very Easy

HIGHS

  • Mild year-round temperatures
  • Free (mostly) of bugs
  • Abundant water sources that appear free from cow patties. I drank without running it through my Sawyer Squeeze filter first!
  • Ample wildlife viewing opportunities


LOWS

  • Lacks the epic vistas of other destinations
  • Limited spots large enough to set up a tent.
  • Difficulty getting tent stakes into the ground


ROUTE SUMMARY

From the trailhead at the front door, you’ll have expansive views of the open valley known by locals as the “Living Room.” Two smaller topographic features lie on the horizon including the Blue Couch to the east and the Grey Couch to the south. A lush and green carpeted valley lies between the two features.

Directly to the east on the route is a narrow slot canyon. With steep high walls of dark brown cabinets on either side, Kitchen Canyon has limited space for multiple people, especially those with backpacks. A year-round water source can be found in Kitchen Canyon, though accessing it can be difficult during times of high dishes.

To the north, you’ll find Flushing Falls. Leave No Trace ethics state that due to sensitive habitat, Flushing Falls is the ONLY place in My Home that you dispose of human waste. Remember: the Solution to Pollution is dilution!

Find more tips & tricks for backpacking in My Home written by Liz Thomas here.

LAST UPDATED

May 6, 2022

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MEDIA MENTIONS

Depending on where you travel, you may want to pack bug spray, too. In places like Florida and North Carolina, summers get buggy, and you’ll be happy to have packed a spray on nights when you want to sit on the porch or dine outdoors.

Madison Flager and Meaghan Kenny

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As a veteran of the Iraq War, I found myself struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder from which greatly impacted my mental health. In 2016, I came across the film “Wild,” an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir about healing by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

LeAura Luciano

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Sawyer Permethrin Premium Insect Repellent is used on clothing, not skin, and it provides long-lasting protection against ticks.

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