Trek Packing List

The weather can change in a few minutes at Sellars Creek Ranch, especially in June. It’s important that everyone is prepared for heat, cold, rain, hail, fog and even snow (although that would be rare this time of year). Even in summer the ranch can get intense rain storms and cold nights. Below is the list of items we feel will ensure a comfortable trek experience.

Please eat breakfast before being dropped off on Monday morning and bring a sack lunch placed in your backpack for the bus ride. Dinner will be the first provided meal on Monday, June 22nd.

Please wear pioneer clothing when you arrive and pack everything else in your bucket and garbage/duffel bag.

Because of weight and space limitations we are each limited in the amount and type of gear we can bring. Your gear will be packed in a Bucket, a plastic bag or duffle, and a small backpack. You will need the following items:

🪣 Bucket List

Place the following personal items in your 5 gallon bucket (ie. Home Depot) marked with your name. If all of these items don’t fit in your bucket you can put them in your duffel bag or plastic bag:

Plastic refillable water bottle and carabiner to hang from the handcart
1 pair of water shoes (or something you don’t mind getting wet & muddy, but NO flip flops). There are many river crossings along the trails.
1 plastic bag to keep wet shoes in
1 rain poncho or rain coat
1 pair work gloves for pulling the handcarts and a game of tug-of-war
1 small hand soap
1 small hand towel/wash cloth
1 comb/brush
Deodorant
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Flashlight or headlamp
Book of Mormon
1 pen or pencil
Contacts or glasses as needed (Glasses preferred)
Sunglasses (optional)
Plastic camping plate, fork, knife and cup for each meal. We will not be using paper products for meals.

🎒 Backpack List:

Please bring a small backpack (ie. string backpack) that you will have with you on the bus and during trekking. Include the following in your backpack:

Sack lunch for the bus ride up
Prescribed medication
Insect repellent with deet
Sunscreen 15+ SPF
Lip balm
Band Aids & Moleskin (for blisters)
Hand sanitizer (pocket size)
Baby wipes (optional)
Small disposable camera (optional)
Feminine hygiene supplies (as needed)

👝 Plastic Bag or Duffle Bag List:

Place the following items and clothes in a duffel bag or garbage bag marked with your name:

A sleeping bag
A small pillow
A compact Sleeping pad
A warm coat, light jacket or sweater (that you don’t mind getting dirty)
Clothing
Comfortable clothes for the bus ride home (you do not need to wear pioneer clothes going home)

👕 Clothing List (goes in garbage/duffel bag):

The good news is that Sellars Creek sprays for mosquitos which significantly reduces their numbers. They have also said that ticks are very rare and shouldn’t be a problem. However, we still recommend that you spray your clothes with Permethrin Mosquito/Tick repellent 5 days prior to trek and bring mosquito spray. Permethrin is available in local sporting goods stores, Walmart, and Amazon.

Female Clothing:

1-2 pioneer skirts (mid-calf)
1-2 long sleeved blouses. Breathable.

- Skirt & Blouse: Long skirts & Blouses were worn by pioneers. Solid or print fabric skirts can be sewn for a very low price. Blouses of all colors can be found at any second-hand store (or even in your own closet). A simple method of cutting the collar off will make any blouse a pioneer style.

Dresses can be worn in place of skirt and blouse: Back then, women wore floor length dresses, some with ruffles. The sleeves were full, and long, with buttons or bands at the wrist. Necklines were usually high, with buttons up the front. Fabrics were cotton in solid colors or small print.

- Experienced pioneer trekkers today have found that dresses or skirts should be mid-calf to just above ankle in length. This helps the women to not trip over their skirts while pulling

Bloomers, leggings, bike shorts or light cotton pj pants for layering, warmth, and to prevent chafing. It is strongly recommended to wear longer spandex shorts or exercise leggings under skirts or dresses to avoid chaffing. Bloomers were worn in the pioneer days and can also be worn.
Hat/Bonnets: wide brimmed hat or optional pioneer bonnet for sun protection. Bonnets or hat: Women wore bonnets whenever they were outside. They were made of cotton with a deep stiffened brim and back ruffle to protect the neck. They could be white, plain colors or a print, but they never matched the fabric of the dress. A hat, straw hat, or wide brimmed hat can also be worn. A hat or bonnet are important on trek to give protection from the sun. If windy, bonnets or hats with ties are helpful because they are secure.
1 apron (optional) useful for carrying small items and keeping dust off clothes

- Aprons are strongly encouraged: The standard apron was six to twelve inches shorter than the skirt length. It gathered at the waist and tied. Daytime aprons were made of calico remnants. Sunday aprons were made from white fabric and did not have a bib.
- For trekking today, large deep pockets are helpful to be able to carry different belongings along the trail. An apron can be made out of a pillowcase or there are patterns available.
- If interested in sewing a dress, skirt, bonnet or apron, many pattern options can be found online. Please don’t wait until the last minute.

3 sturdy walking/hiking socks
Shoes: Comfort is most important! All trekkers should bring well broken-in shoes. Sturdy running or walking shoes are recommended. Do not wear hiking boots unless you have taken at least 2 months to break them in.
Water Shoes: All trekkers will be crossing multiple small streams and rivers. Wet, soggy shoes will cause blisters. Please bring one pair of shoes to wear for water crossings.
3 changes underwear
1 pair warm sleepwear
Beanie/knit hat for sleeping

Male Clothing:

Most every clothing item on the men’s clothing list can be found at a second-hand store, borrowed, or right out of their own closet.

2 long sleeved shirts (flannel or cotton/ no t-shirts)

- Shirts: Men’s shirts were worn loose. Plain colors were common, but stripes or plaids were also used. Light colors will be coolest. Choose something larger than a regular fit, with LONG sleeves. You may find an old shirt from your grandpa’s or dad’s closet. Maybe even your own closet. To make it look more like a pioneer, a simple method of trimming/cutting the collar and picking the pocket off with a seam ripper can be shown to you. Pullover with lace closure is another option.

1-2 long trousers (wool or cotton or quick drying)

- Pants: Pants were also worn loose. Cotton pants work great. Colors can include blue, black, gray, browns, especially beige and tan. Choose rather loose fitting through the crotch and thigh area to add comfort in walking. As a reminder, no jeans are to be worn.

1 pioneer/western wide-brimmed hat (no ball caps)
3 sturdy walking/athletic/hiking socks
Shoes: Comfort is most important! All trekkers should bring well broken-in shoes.

- Sturdy running or walking shoes are recommended. Do not wear hiking boots unless you have taken at least 2 months to break them in.

Water Shoes: All trekkers will be crossing multiple small streams and rivers. Wet, soggy shoes will cause blisters. Please bring one pair of shoes to wear for water crossings.
3 changes of underwear
1 pair warm sleepwear (sweats/sweatshirt)
Bike shorts or boxer shorts to prevent chafing while walking
Beanie/knit hat for sleeping
Hats: Men’s everyday hats ranged from cowboy hats, straw hats, wide brimmed low felt hats, or round crowned hat. Don’t wear a baseball hat. A hat is strongly encouraged to avoid sunburn
Vests (optional): If desired, thrift stores are a great option to find a vest. Vests can also be sewn.
Suspenders (optional): if desired, suspenders can be worn to complete the look and keep those oversized pants up.

🚫 DO NOT BRING:

❌ Soda, electronic items (phones will not work on the ranch anyway) pocket knives, weapons or jewelry.
❌ Shorts, tank tops, sleeveless shirt, flip-flops, or new shoes, revealing clothing, neon colors, large logos.

Think Pioneer-inspired and trek-tested Every clothing choice should help you walk comfortably, serve others, and focus on the spiritual purpose of the trek.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR NAME ON PERSONAL ITEMS!