What you get on this adventure: Experienced, local hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area — they will teach you how to pack your bag, set up camp, and live in the backcountry for a few days 3 days of all-women backpacking All meals All camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooking system, hiking poles, daypack) For the divorce-themed hiking trip, you also get… Daily group coaching sessions with certified life coach Six 1:1 virtual divorce coach sessions prior to the trip If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, make sure to notify your guide in advance of the trip. They will adjust the menu accordingly. What’s not included: Transportation to Whitefish, Montana Transportation to the meeting point Accommodations before and after the trip Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

No prior hiking experience is necessary for this backpacking trip! This all-women trip only requires a base level of fitness. The most you’ll hike is on day 1, when you’ll walk for 5 miles (8 km) with 1,660-foot (506-meter) elevation gain. Other days require significantly less hiking or hikes are optional. If it gets too much for you, you’ll simply take it slow with plenty of water, snacks, and swim breaks. If you want to hike more, your guide will pair you up with a hiking buddy and you can explore more on your own!

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag) — will be provided, but feel free to bring your own Hiking poles — will be provided, but feel free to bring to bring your own Sleeping bag and sleeping pad (provided by guide) Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) The sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, hiking poles, backpack, and cooking system can be provided by your guides. If you need hiking and camping gear, make sure to notify your guides in advance. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this all-women adventure, you’ll have two women guides on your trip. The maximum number of people is 10. It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate, and a minimum of 4 people for the divorce-themed trip to operate. Price is per person and the cost does not decrease as the group grows. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Deposits and cancellation policy

A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund. For cancellations ninety (90) to one hundred nineteen (119) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. For cancellations seventy-five (75) to eighty nine (89) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid when Booking. After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Whitefish, most people fly into Glacier Park International Airport , 15 minutes away from Whitefish. Glacier Park International Airport offers direct flights to 13 major US cities, including Seattle, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Phoenix. From there, you can take a taxi or a shuttle service to Whitefish. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at Whitefish Depot Park . It’s important to note that you can’t leave vehicles parked overnight at the park, which is why we recommend walking or getting a ride there.

Covid measures in Montana

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Montana, please refer to CDC’s guidelines for international travel to and from the United States and Montana’s COVID-19 information website . Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

All-women backpacking trip to Upper Holland and Sapphire Lake.

A group of women and dogs in Montana mountains.

View of Montana wilderness and alpine lakes.

A woman sitting on a rock next to a lake

A group of hikers posing on top of a hill

A picture of hikers smiling above the camera

Two hikers enjoying the views of the lake and trees

A woman taking a selfie with the woods in the background

A woman taking a selfie with a big lake in the background

A person resting in a hammock with mountains in the background

Stunning areal view of lakes and woods in Montana

A woman enjoying coconut water at the basecamp

Whitefish | Montana

All-Women Backpacking Trip to Doris Lake and Doris Peak

5.00 ()

Season

July through August

Nearest city

Whitefish, MT is an hour away

Duration

3 days

Difficulty

Guides

Madison Browning, Sally Stecher, Great Northern Wilderness Guides

From $1,420 () / 3 days

Got any questions? or Talk with us

Overview
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

A mindfulness retreat to Montana’s wilderness is your chance to reconnect with yourself and nature. Join a group of like-minded ladies on a 3-day backpacking trip with a camp set up at the foot of the stunning Doris Peak. The trail leads you through dense woods featuring conifer canopies, wildflower meadows, and tons of smaller waterfalls until you reach your destination—pristine alpine lakes. Whether it’s tripping through nearby trails, sipping on your tea by a cozy campfire, or dipping in lakes encircled by pine trees and towering peaks, you’re bound to experience a restorative adventure.

If you have experienced divorce, consider joining us on that date. Apart from a wonderful experience in the mountains, you also get six 1:1 virtual sessions with a certified life coach who will join us on this trip.

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Lush mountains of Montana dotted with clear blue alpine lakes
Learn the ropes of backpacking and setting up a perfect campsite
Total reset of mind and body in nature with the support of like-minded women

Itinerary

Retreat to Montana’s mountains on this all-women backpacking trip! Over the course of three days, you’ll be immersed in the alpine wilderness around Doris Lake and Doris Peak. If you’re feeling up to it, your guides will offer stretching, meditation, and journaling time every day. Spend your days swimming in lakes and your nights warming up next to a campfire. As you’ll have all meals included and plenty of optional activities to try out, you can relax and look at this trip as a quick getaway from your everyday life!

Start walking through conifer woodlands of Montana’s mountains. Go through backpacking basics, from gear to setup to map reading. Once you reach your campsite for the night near the Doris Peak, set up camp and spend the rest of the afternoon however you’d like. Relax at your camp and get to know your hiking friends or go for an optional hike to the peak without your backpack (about 3 extra miles with 1000 ft of elevation gain). Your guides also offer optional guided stretching, journaling, and meditation. After a delicious dinner and a warming fire, you’ll get cozy for the night in your tents with your new tent buddy.

Hiking: 5 miles/ 8 km (2 miles to campsite, 3 miles to the peak and back)
Elevation: +1660 ft/ 506 m
Meals: Dinner
Watch the sun go up with your morning cup of coffee. To kick off your morning, do some guided stretching, after which you’ll have breakfast. Go over how to break down a camp, repack your backpacks, and set off to your new campsite. Once you arrive at your next stop, there’s an option to hike to Jenny Lake (8 miles round trip). Another option is to enjoy your time at the campsite or head on another shorter guided hike—your group can split into two and pick your goals for the day. Once you all regroup at the camp, stretch, journal, and meditate.
Hiking: 3-8 miles/ 5-13 km
Elevation: up to 2270 ft/ 690 m, max elevation 7222 ft/ 2200 m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dInner
Rise and shine with more coffee and stretches. Take in your last morning swims and pack up at a leisurely pace to head out. Once back at the cars, you’ll have much deserved cool drinks and say your goodbyes.

Hiking: 2 miles/ 3.2 km
Meals: Breakfast

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Meet your guides

5.00

Madison Browning

Madison has been a guide for over 5 years and lives to be outdoors. She considers backpacking, climbing peaks, and sleeping under starry skies a form of self-care, so when she isn't backpacking, she's planning her next adventure.

5.00

Sally Stecher

As one of the founders and lead guides of GNWG, Sally thinks backpacking is meditative and wants to share the backcountry with more people, especially women. She loves her daily yoga, running and meditation routine.

5.00

Great Northern Wilderness Guides was founded by Madison Browning and Sally Stretcher, two local guides and backpacking enthusiasts. They are at their happiest when they’re out on the trail, climbing peaks, and sleeping under starry skies, and they delight in sharing the meditative benefits of Montana’s backcountry with more people, especially women.

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Women who Stride: Backpacking in Montana’s Mountains

Sally Stecher

Co-owner of Great Northern Wilderness Guides

5.00 (10 reviews)

Jemma M. (source: Google Reviews)

One of the best trips I’ve ever been on! I felt so safe even in the middle of nowhere on my first backpacking trip. The guides were helpful, supportive, and a ton of fun! Would love to go again if I get the chance!

Kayla N. (source: Google Reviews)

Great Northern Wilderness Guides provides such a thoughtful and fun experience in the backcountry. You will be taken care of and simultaneously empowered. Would highly recommend!

Emily H. (source: Google Reviews)

I can’t recommend booking a trip with Madison and Sally enough! They answered all of my questions leading up to the trip and were so patient and helpful throughout the entire experience. I gained so much knowledge and confidence from backpacking with this group of women. Well worth every penny!

Rebecca F. (source: Google Reviews)

10/10 would highly recommend! Check them out! We had a great time and the guides were fun!

Jacqueline Jones

Our guides were exceptional, very knowledgeable about the trail we were hiking and well trained on any health or injury that should arise while on the trail. A definite 5 star rating. We hiked the Montana Lake Holland to Sapphire Lake trail which was gorgeous. Although the trail was harder than I anticipated, I was well prepared. Our guides gave encouragement and allowed for adequate rest and nutrition breaks

Kimberly Martin

Madison and Sally couldn\’t have been better guides. They anticipated every need, bonded really well with the group, and were incredibly knowledgeable. I think everyone in our group fell in love with them. They made the experience even more fantastic. The trip was strenuous, but so worth it! The views were magnificent, the group bonded quickly, and we felt a huge sense of accomplishment when we completed our journey.

Renee Hall

This was an epic adventure – tailor made for the fitness abilities of our group. The guides are extraordinary humans and taught me so much! I look forward to booking with them again and to venturing out with local groups in my area as a result of the confidence that this highly bespoke trip gave me. I cannot say enough good things about the guides and their mission to empower women of all ages and abilities. I will be back! I am changed!

In a word, Magical!

Jodi Stephens

Sally and Maddison were fantastic guides and put together an amazing experience. They are both very knowledgeable about hiking in the back country and passionate about what they do. I felt completely safe the entire trip. They were also very patient with me whenever I needed to take a break to catch my breath and offered encouragement as we climbed the trail to our campsite. Their faithful dog, Frankie, was also amazing. She would patrol the camp perimeter, and accompany us on our hikes, always diligent and attentive to who was where. If you are thinking about an adventure with Great Northern Wilderness Guides, go for it. They will take care of you and make you feel at ease, no matter your level of experience! The area we hiked was breathtaking! We were in the Flathead National Forest, Swan Ridge. I could have stayed several more days! We don\’t have mountains or views like that in Georgia!!

Ann-Marie Fitzsimmons

Sally & Madison led a safe and organized trek into the backcountry of Montana. Their enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors in contagious. After meeting them for five minutes, you feel as if you\’ve known them for a lifetime. Beautiful, compassionate, mindful and present young ladies! Our hike into our campsite was exciting, beautiful and just challenging enough that we felt proud yet still energetic enough to learn to set up camp and settle in. Our day hikes were paced, scenic and downright FUN! Our guides allowed for breaks and time to share their knowledge of the terrain, flora and animals in the area. Everything was just PERFECT!

Kathi Donald

FANTASTIC adventure in everyway! From minute one I felt welcomed and was impressed with Sally and Madison. This was my first backpack trip and they made sure I had everything I needed. Great hikes, great campsite, great food, great guides.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - Experienced, local hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area — they will teach you how to pack your bag, set up camp, and live in the backcountry for a few days
  - 3 days of all-women backpacking
  - All meals
  - All camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooking system, hiking poles, daypack)
  - For the divorce-themed hiking trip, you also get…
    
    Daily group coaching sessions with certified life coach
    
    Six 1:1 virtual divorce coach sessions prior to the trip
If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, make sure to notify your guide in advance of the trip. They will adjust the menu accordingly.

What’s not included:
- - Transportation to Whitefish, Montana
  - Transportation to the meeting point
  - Accommodations before and after the trip
  - Guide gratuities — optional
No prior hiking experience is necessary for this backpacking trip! This all-women trip only requires a base level of fitness. The most you’ll hike is on day 1, when you’ll walk for 5 miles (8 km) with 1,660-foot (506-meter) elevation gain. Other days require significantly less hiking or hikes are optional. If it gets too much for you, you’ll simply take it slow with plenty of water, snacks, and swim breaks. If you want to hike more, your guide will pair you up with a hiking buddy and you can explore more on your own!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag) — will be provided, but feel free to bring your own
  - Hiking poles — will be provided, but feel free to bring to bring your own
  - Sleeping bag and sleeping pad (provided by guide)
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Sunhat
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
The sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, hiking poles, backpack, and cooking system can be provided by your guides. If you need hiking and camping gear, make sure to notify your guides in advance. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
- - For this all-women adventure, you’ll have two women guides on your trip.
  - The maximum number of people is 10. It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate, and a minimum of 4 people for the divorce-themed trip to operate.
  - Price is per person and the cost does not decrease as the group grows.
Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- - If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund.
  - For cancellations ninety (90) to one hundred nineteen (119) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
  - For cancellations seventy-five (75) to eighty nine (89) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
  - After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.
To get to Whitefish, most people fly into Glacier Park International Airport, 15 minutes away from Whitefish. Glacier Park International Airport offers direct flights to 13 major US cities, including Seattle, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Phoenix. From there, you can take a taxi or a shuttle service to Whitefish.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at Whitefish Depot Park. It’s important to note that you can’t leave vehicles parked overnight at the park, which is why we recommend walking or getting a ride there.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Montana, please refer to CDC’s guidelines for international travel to and from the United States and Montana’s COVID-19 information website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!