D&T Goat: Backpacking Velma Lakes with Goats (intermediate)

Men and women 13+

All creeds welcome

Adventure Score: 2

Lake Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness is an alpine wonderland of massive conifers and gorgeous, stony pools of stunning blue refreshment.

This is world-class backpacking and we’re taking you along with six of our growing Alpine goats!

They’re getting stronger, but they’re still young and we’ll need your help leading, feeding, and just generally loving on these adorable and hardworking critters. Each participant will be assigned one goat for at least one day, allowing for a bonding and wilderness husbandry experience like no other.

These are our most affectionate and personable little goats, handpicked from the D&T Camp One herd. They will leave quite the impression, God willing, but this will also be one of their longest outings to date and they will absolutely need your guidance and support.

We’re not going too far, but we are going hard. It’s only 5 miles to the Upper Velma Lake, but make no mistake: we’ll work for it.

This is an out-and-back trail with lots of climbing and some brutal switchbacks on the first day. We’ll need an early start to beat the summer heat. We know that with hardship there is ease, and in this case the payoff is glorious.

At the end of all that work are some of the prettiest little lakes you ever will see and that’s where we’ll spend the next two nights, God willing. We’ll explore, swim, fish (don’t forget your license!), and just take in the refreshment of radiant sunshine, clean air, and cool water. With goats!

We’re opening this adventure up to some of our younger participants with the understanding that they have the maturity to take direction and behave responsibly. And to make the trip easier for those coming from a distance, we are including a free airport shuttle and overnight stay Friday June 27th at D&T Camp One in Placerville, about 1.5 hours from the trailhead.

Included:

• Overnight accommodations and meal at Dust and Tribe Camp One (optional)
• Free airport shuttle
• Two nights of camping alongside the Velma Lakes
• Point-by-point itinerary, packing list, and personalized assistance with logistics
• Commemorative D&T keepsake to honor our time together
• BABY GOATS!!!
• New friends and a lifetime of memories!

You are responsible for your food, transportation, clothing, and gear (limited rentals are available).

Book your spot with a $190 deposit that is fully refundable up to 30 days prior to our trip (refund deadline Thursday 5/29/2025).

Don’t want to hassle with food? We’re happy to put together a 2000 calorie/day vegetarian meal bundle to get you through the weekend. The bundle includes pasta and quinoa-based entrees, oatmeal, granola, and lots of chocolate, nut-butters, and fat-rich coconut strips to fuel your adventure.

Questions? Drop them in the comments below or send us a message through our Contact Page