What began as a small backpacking trip among family and friends has grown into an annual tradition that Katie Zheng, an analyst for the Office of Sustainability, looks forward to every year.
Since joining the group in 2023, she has explored beautiful landscapes, scrambled up mountain ridges, encountered wildlife, and—most importantly—spent meaningful time outdoors with family.
We sat down to talk to her about her favorite adventures and best snack tips for your next trip to the great outdoors.
How did your family’s annual backpacking tradition begin?
My aunt started organizing backpacking trips in 2021. She’s always enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, and especially landscape photography. That year, she decided she wanted to try backpacking, so she invited my mom and some friends to join her. From there, it just grew. Other family members and friends heard about the trip and wanted to join next time.
What started with eight people has grown to 13 on the most recent trip.
Katie Zheng and her family on an excursion to Hetch Hetchy, a glacial valley and reservoir in the northwestern part of Yosemite National Park in California.
It’s mostly my mom’s generation, their cousins, and friends—and I’m the youngest one in the group! Most of my family lives in Los Angeles, so I don’t get to see them very often.
Some of the people on these trips I only see once a year. It’s become a tradition that we all look forward to.
Is there one trip that stands out as your most memorable adventure?
The first trip I joined in 2023 is probably the most memorable. We went backpacking at Ediza Lake in Inyo National Forest, and the scenery was incredible. We went in August, but because we were at such a high elevation, there was still snow on the mountains. I especially remember the beautiful sunset after we set up camp. I even took a cold plunge in the river–the water was freezing!
Ediza Lake, where Zheng took a plunge in a nearby river, sits at 9,300 feet above sea level in the Ansel Adams Wilderness of California's Sierra Nevada.
The next day, most of the group wanted to take it easy and relax by the lake, but my husband and I were looking for a little more adventure. We decided to scramble over a ridge to check out Iceberg Lake. I love scrambling! When we got there, the lake was still frozen over.
We also saw a yellow-bellied marmot. It was so cute! It was completely sprawled out on a rock like a starfish, just soaking up the sun. We decided that looked pretty nice, so we found our own spot nearby for a little nap.
A yellow-bellied marmot, like one Zheng saw, making it's home on a rock pile. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service (Jessica Weinberg McClosky).
Do you have another favorite memory from one of your trips?
On the same trip, my cousin, husband, and I were ahead of the rest of the group when we came to a river crossing.
While we waited for everyone to catch up, we started building a rock path across the river. When the rest of the group caught up, they were surprised: 'Wow, you built us a bridge!'
The rock bridge Zheng, her husband, and her cousin built helped hikers cross the river.
Even people who weren’t part of our group came along afterward and used it. We felt really good about building something that helped the rest of our group—and other hikers—get across.
Who’s the best camper in the family?
My cousin Tommy. He’s always prepared and has all the gear. He always has us covered.
What’s one piece of camping gear you always enjoy having?
What’s your favorite backpacking snack?
Happy Trekking Trail Mix from Trader Joe’s. It has pistachios, dried cherries, cashews, and chocolate chips. Dried mangoes are also a must-have.
Zheng and her mother at Hetch Hetchy.
What have these annual trips come to mean to you?
One of my favorite parts has been sharing the experience with my mom. We didn’t camp a ton growing up, so I was surprised when she told me she was going backpacking for the first time. I said, “Wait, do you mean car camping?” I was so impressed–and proud of her!
I love the outdoors and camping, so getting to share that with my mom over the past couple of years has been really special.
I hope we keep this annual tradition going for many years to come.