Trip Report and Guide for Backpacking In My Home
Wildlife viewings are frequent at My Home.
For the past 400 days, I’ve had the privilege of backpacking through a previously unexplored destination called My Home. Here’s my guide to this exclusive and wildlife-filled destination.
Distance: 0 miles
Days: 400 days
Elevation gain/loss: 10 feet
Best season: Year-round
Permits: None
Difficulty: Very difficult (mentally)
Navigation: Easy
Physical Difficulty: Very Easy
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Highs
Mild year-round temperatures
Free (mostly) of bugs
Abundant water sources that appear free from cow patties. I drank without running it through my Sawyer Squeeze filter first!
Ample wildlife viewing opportunities
Lows
Lacks the epic vistas of other destinations
Limited spots large enough to set up a tent.
Difficulty getting tent stakes into the ground
Water source at Kitchen Canyon.
Route Summary
From the trailhead at the front door, you’ll have expansive views of the open valley known by locals as the “Living Room.” Two smaller topographic features lie on the horizon including the Blue Couch to the east and the Grey Couch to the south. A lush and green carpeted valley lies between the two features.
Directly to the east on the route is a narrow slot canyon. With steep high walls of dark brown cabinets on either side, Kitchen Canyon has limited space for multiple people, especially those with backpacks. A year-round water source can be found in Kitchen Canyon, though accessing it can be difficult during times of high dishes.
To the north, you’ll find Flushing Falls. Leave No Trace ethics state that due to sensitive habitat, Flushing Falls is the ONLY place in My Home that you dispose of human waste. Remember: the Solution to Pollution is dilution!
A wildlife sighting on Blue Couch as approached from the lush and green carpeted valley.
Difficulty and Skills
Navigation
Navigating the situation by which I came to backpack my home is going to take years to unpack mentally.
As far as actually getting around the destination, this destination does not have a trail. However, there are significant unobstructed views of points ahead on the route, so navigating to the next destination is easy.
Rough Terrain/Scrambling/Rock Climbing
Depending on one’s goals for the trip, it’s possible to incorporate scrambling and climbing into the route. For example, the side trip to summit Table Mountain or Desk Peak could provide challenges for those uncomfortable on unstable terrain.
Elevation Gain/Elevation Loss
Minimal within my home, though similar destinations may have more opportunities for elevation gain.
The precarious summit of Table Mesa.
Permits
None required, though monthly fees to hike in this area can be significant (rent).
Maps and Guidebooks
Gaia: We are fans of the Gaia GPS phone app. Be sure to pre-load maps before your trip. In addition, Gaia makes it possible to look at other more interesting backpacking areas while stuck in your tent at My Home.
Trailheads
Although the Front Door trailhead has historically been the more popular of the two trailheads, in the last year, the Side Door trailhead is seeing a lot more use.
Regulations
Follow Leave No Trace Ethics. Please dispose of human waste ONLY in Flushing Falls or use a WAG bag.
Group size must be limited to 2 people or less.
Do not enter Kitchen Canyon with your backpack on your back. Hikers in the past have damaged Glasses on the Counter because of this. To minimize damage in Kitchen Canyon, carry your backpack in your hand or front-pack it while navigating this narrow passage.
Resupply
Hikers can organize ahead of time for a food drop at the Front Door Trailhead. Contact UberEats or GrubHub for more information.
For those who prefer wild foraging, Kitchen Canyon has abundant sources during some times of the week but gets kinda low on food on Fridays.
Water Planning
Kitchen Canyon has a year-round water source. However, as mentioned above, accessing the water can be difficult during times of high dishes.
Bears and Food Storage
Although there are no official rules requiring bear canisters, it is unadvised that you leave cookies, chocolate, or ice cream unattended as other hikers have been known to eat your food.
Side Trips
For those interested in a more wild experience, Bedroom Valley lies to the northeast.
Gear Rentals
Like the flanks of Springer Mountain in Georgia along the Appalachian Trail, you’ll find gear strewn everywhere in My Home. Some has been abandoned and some has simply fallen off other hikers’ backpacks. Still, it’s never a sure bet you’ll find what you need. We suggest entering My Home fully equipped with the gear required for the trip. Leave No Trace EthicsGaia GPSGaia GPS
Gear List
TENT
I used the Six Moon Designs Haven Zero-G on this trip. We had significant difficulty getting the tent stakes into the hard-packed ground. Given the limited tenting space at My Home, I would’ve been better served by the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape, which has a smaller footprint. However, at 10 oz compared to the Haven Zero G’s 12.4 oz for a two-person tent, I really wish the Gatewood were available in DCF.
BACKPACK
I used the Gossamer Gear Mariposa. Though it rode comfortably and fit the 400-day resupply required for the traverse of My Home, while wearing it on my back in Kitchen Canyon, I damaged Glasses on the Counter, a natural geologic feature of the area. I’d recommend future hikers carry their pack by the Haul Loop on top while navigating this narrow slot canyon.
SLEEPING BAG
I used the Katabatic Gear Palisade 30 quilt. Given the mild temperatures at My Home, I would’ve opted for the Flex 30 in order to open up in case I got too hot.
SLEEPING PAD
I found the natural duff of Bedroom Hollow soft enough to not need a sleeping pad.
WATER PURIFIER
I brought the Sawyer Squeeze as a gravity filter on this trip. It’s the overall winner in our Best Backpacking Filters story. However, the water sources appeared clean, so we skipped filtering.
What to wear
SHOES OR BOOTS
As I was raised in an Asian American household, shoes or boots are not permitted in the sensitive habitat of My Home. For those who like the extra warmth and traction of shoes, the most popular footwear at My Home is Glerups slippers.
SOCKS
We complement Glerups slippers with the Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock socks. They are soft, durable, comfortable, and fit like a glove. See our Best Hiking Socks article for more about why we love these socks.
FOOD AND FOOD STORAGE
When backpacking in My Home you'll have to carry all your food unless you pre-arrange for a food drop with Ubereats or GrubHub or are successful at foraging in Kitchen Canyon.
Given the voracious wildlife, do not leave your food—especially cookies, chocolate, or ice cream—unattended at any time.
CLOTHING
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing at My Home including joggers and yoga pants. Denim jeans are not only made of cotton, which “kills” but also just aren’t comfortable.
Happy April Fool’s Day 2021!
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