{"id":202893,"date":"2026-10-09T10:14:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T17:14:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=202893"},"modified":"2026-10-20T16:32:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T23:32:23","slug":"guided-hiking-trip-lessons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/guided-hiking-trip-lessons","title":{"rendered":"What I Learned on a Guided Hiking Trip as a Seasoned Adventurer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I was  lucky to grow up with nature-loving parents and spent at least one weekend a month escaping the Arizona suburbs with my family to camp down some dirt road with our old fifth-wheel trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast forward 30-some years later and I\u2019m doing more of the same. My husband and I live in the Phoenix metro area and keep up that monthly camping tradition. In between camping and backpacking trips, we hike or mountain bike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because I\u2019m usually the one planning our adventures, this summer I wanted a trip that didn\u2019t require me to do any prework; something that allowed us to just show up and have a good time. I heard about the recent REI Co-op and Intrepid Travel <\/a>partnership, so we decided to try something new and booked a guided hiking trip through Yosemite National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wasn\u2019t sure what to expect when I handed over control of our summer vacation, but it was well worth it. Even as a seasoned adventurer, I learned a lot. Here are my takeaways from my first guided hiking trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All photography by Jacey West unless otherwise specified.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to plan anything <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I go on a lot of multiday backpacking trips and camping and road trips, so I know how much work goes into planning something like a week of exploring Yosemite National Park. Researching where to stay and hike, booking accommodations and permits, planning day-to-day activities to maximize your time in the park, figuring out gear, negotiating driving and parking, and investigating where to eat\u2014it\u2019s a lot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an organized trip, however, you just have to show up and enjoy the adventure. I didn\u2019t have to worry about trail closures, figure out where to park or spend hours researching the best uncrowded trails. Our guide handled all the logistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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