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Hi Carla! We went in October. Assuming the weather will be similar in the spring, I definitely suggest making sure you have warm sleeping gear. I also suggest bringing a water filter so you can fill up along the way rather than having to carry extra water. There are multiple water sources since you'll be hiking along Pickle Creek a lot of the time. We didn't have a bear canister for this trip, but we did tie up our food away about 100 feet from our tents (we used the PCT Method). We carried out all of our food scraps and trash and buried our poop (a lightweight/folding shovel is quite handy). Feel free to reach out for more specific advice. Are you going with kids (if so, how old)? Is this your first backpacking trip?

@@NeshamaRoash This is all super helpful, as we will be new to backpacking.

@@NeshamaRoash Thanks, again, for your great advise. I realize I didn't answer your questions .... Yes, this is our first time backpacking all together, and most of our first time period. My kids are older and range from 16-23. I am hoping backpacking can become something we often do. Do you have any suggestions on warm sleeping gear? I've been researching sleeping bags and there are just so many. I'm sorta focused now on the AegisMax, and that brand also has many options to choose from. Just not sure what's the best if we plan to backpack in Fall/Spring weather in Mo or in CO in higher altitudes eventually. Thanks!

@@NeshamaRoash - Any other suggestions on backpacks, sleeping pads, etc, would be great, too. Also doing lots of research on those, but the more info I gather the better choice I MAY make. LOL Thanks!

​@@carlagibson3875 Hello again! We have Marmot and REI brand sleeping bags, some that we've bought from the REI Garage Sales and some we've bought new from REI. They are all amazing!!! We've slept in 17 degree weather in them and still been warm. However, I think the REI sleeping bags are a little heavier. It's been okay for our teens because they don't carry quite as much gear as my husband and I do. I just recommend getting the lightest sleeping bags (and all gear in general) that you can afford because every ounce matters, and so if you can save a few ounces here and there, you'll be much happier on the hike! Does everyone already have their backpacks? We have Gregory, Osprey, Deuter, and Kelty packs. I used the Deuter before switching to Gregory, but they are both super comfy for me. Getting your backpacks fitted is definitely a good idea if you haven't done that already! I have a Klymit Static V2 inflatable sleeping pad that I love (found that at a local gear resale shop). My husband and kids have Freeland and OlarHike inflatable sleeping pads. They have also been totally sufficient (both on Amazon, but currently unavailable so I won't share a link). The kids have Wise Owl camping pillows that are great (apparently they also make inflatable sleeping pads). My husband had a Rikki Tikki pillow, but he kind of hated it because he just doesn't like the inflatable stuff (I thought it was perfectly comfy though). So, I recently bought him a Sierra Designs DriDown Pillow, but he hasn't used it yet. I can't remember what kind I have. One thing I've found more comfy, when it's not super cold, is to put my pillow under my sleeping bag hood instead of inside it and then it's fluffier. Oh, and trekking poles are definitely helpful too! I love Black Diamond, but we also found some sets on Amazon that have been great so far (which were much more affordable than getting every family member Black Diamond poles). Here are some links to products I've mentioned!! www.amazon.com/Wise-Owl-Outfitters-Compressible-Backpacking/dp/B07CMFGYD4/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=wise%2Bowl%2Bbackpacking%2Bpillow&qid=1614527102&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-5&th=1 www.amazon.com/RikkiTikki-Inflatable-Travel-Pillow-Compressible/dp/B076JJGMSY/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=wise+owl+backpacking+pillow&qid=1614527102&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-8 www.alpineshop.com/sierra-designs/dridown-pillow-114729 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PRL8YV5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1