Wild Women

Duffy Lake - Mt. Jefferson Wilderness

Aug 15 - 17, 2025

Craving challenge and still wanting to rest?

This retreat is designed to help you find the perfect balance between challenge and restoration, adventure and reflection. Over the course of our journey, we will backpack 7 miles through breathtaking wilderness to a serene alpine lake, allowing ourselves to embrace the physical effort and the rewards of being immersed in nature.

Once we arrive, we will dedicate a full day to deepening our connection with ourselves and the natural world. Through guided meditation, reflective journaling, and intentional silence, we will create space to listen inwardly and reconnect with our inner wisdom. We will also gather in a sacred cacao circle, honoring this heart-opening plant medicine as we set intentions and share in community. As the sun sets, we will hold a fire ceremony, releasing what no longer serves us and welcoming in new energy, clarity, and transformation.

On our final day, we will pack up and hike the 7 miles back, carrying with us not only the memories of the journey but also the insights, strength, and peace we have cultivated along the way. This retreat is a powerful invitation to push your limits, surrender to stillness, and return home feeling refreshed, empowered, and deeply connected.

This is an all inclusive 3-day backpacking adventure includes:

  • Full Trip Itinerary

  • All 3 Meals

  • Gear Rentals

  • Preparation Group Zoom Call

  • Packing 101

Overview of our Journey

  • Where

    Duffy Lake: Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

  • Duration

    3 Days & 2 Nights Aug 15-17th

  • Group Size

    Up to 6 Hikers 1 Trail Guide

  • Activity Level

    13.6 miles total ~800 elevation gain

  • Healings

    Welcome & Prep Call Mindfulness & Reflection Cacao Circle Fire Ceremony Water blessings

  • Outdoor Skill

    Novice Welcome! Carry 30-40lb Pack Hike 3-4 miles

Sliding Scale $400-$600

I am committed to creating a healing backpacking retreat that is inclusive, accessible, and rooted in community care. This retreat is offered on a sliding scale to honor different financial circumstances.

Participants are asked to contribute at a level that feels sustainable and generous for them. The sliding scale covers the basic costs of the retreat, and any amount given above that helps support others in attending through scholarships, as well as additional services and supplies.

My deepest intention is to share the transformative power of nature and offer the healing it has given me in return. If the minimum sliding scale amount is still out of reach, please don’t hesitate to reach out—limited scholarship and trade options are available. You can email me directly to discuss what’s possible.

Early Bird Special:

Register by July 11th and receive $100 off any tier on the sliding scale. This is my way of saying thank you for committing early and helping with planning logistics.

Bring a Friend Bonus:

Invite a friend to register with you and you’ll each receive $50 off your retreat contribution. Shared healing is powerful, and community makes the experience even richer.

This Retreat Includes

FOOD: Breakfast, lunch and dinners are provided. If you have any dietary restrictions please let us know and we will accommodate accordingly.

GEAR & RENTALS: All group gear (stove, water filter, maps, first-aid kit, safety beacon, gps location) included. Package of rentals (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad) available for $100.

EXPERT GUIDES: Expert backpacking guide Neo Luz.

GROUP CALL: Show up feeling connected and prepared with a focus on setting clear intentions for our journey together, ask questions and deepen relationships with those attending. Call will be scheduled the week before the retreat.

BACKPACKING GEAR LIST: We provide a extensive detailed gear list with examples and links.

NOT INCLUDED

  • Trip insurance (recommended and costs about $100)

  • Personal gear and clothing

  • Any unexpected expenses

Healing Activities

  • Fire Ceremony

    What would you like to release and/or call into your life? Fire is a cleansing tool. It clears the old to make way for the new. It connects us to the cycle of life.

  • Water Prayer

    Water holds intentions, what are you speaking into the waters inside and outside of your body? We will practice gratitude and healing the waters of life.

  • Earthing

    How to ground into the magnetic energy of the earth and stabilize our bodies; reducing inflammation, pain, and stress, improving blood flow, energy, and sleep.

  • Breathing Meditation

    How to focus our attention on our breath. One of the easiest ways to reduce stress and notice an immediate sense of relaxation.

  • Cacao Circle

    Learn about the plant medicine Cacao and how she can open and strengthen our hearts while connecting and embracing our emotions.

Schedule & Itinerary

  • Meet in SE Portland at 10am

    Leave Portland and drive to Duffy Lake Trailhead 2.5 hours away

    Group grounding and expectation check-in

    Start our adventure

    Hike 6.8 miles to Duffy Lake and make camp

  • Morning Cacao Circle & Guided Meditation

    Spend the day at lake relaxing

    Fire Circle (If permitted)

  • Morning Gratitude Meditation & Stretching

    Hike 6.8 miles back to the car

    Drive back to Portland (2.5 hours)

    Be back before 6pm

Sample Menu

Breakfast

  • Gluten Free Oats or Granola

  • Powdered Coconut milk

  • Dried Berries & Nuts

Lunch

  • Sandwiches (Veggie or Tuna)

  • Protein Bars

  • Fruit Bar

Dinner

  • Pasta, Veggies and Tuna

  • Chicken, Veggies and Rice

  • Soup (Chicken Tortilla or Veggie)

Trip Terrain

Description: This easy family-friendly hike accesses a pretty lake in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. The trail is very popular with both hikers and equestrians. The path gently ascends through a mixed conifer forest dominated by Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock trees.

Trail Difficulty: The trail is approximately 13.6 miles round trip, making it suitable for hikers of all skill levels. With only 800’ elevation gain overall makes this trail perfect for beginners and the trail is generally well-maintained and easy to navigate.

Trail Access: The trailhead is located off Hwy 22 and is accessible via a gravel road. Parking is available at the trailhead, but it can fill up quickly on weekends and holidays, so it's best to arrive early to secure a spot.

Logistics

We will begin our adventure with meeting locally at 10am in Portland (address will be emailed upon registration).

We will have one stop in Salem for any last minute purchases before we head to the trailhead .

Trailhead: Duffy Lake Trailhead

Expected arrival time home: Latest by 6pm on Sunday

Questions about travel arrangements? Open to making the best possible experiences for everyone. Make sure to email any questions or concerns.

Registration and Deposit

Meet your Guide

  • Neo Luz

    FOUNDER/TRAIL GUIDE

    Neo boasts over 15 years of both solo and group backpacking experience, starting with her journey through the Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail. She later conquered the entire 2,650-mile trail solo. Alongside this feat, she has climbed 10 alpine mountains and dedicated 12 years to rock climbing, all while nurturing her passion for supporting others. Holding a degree in Counseling and Social Work, Neo has expanded her horizons into facilitating plant medicine ceremonies and community building, enriching her connection with nature. Through Trail Based Healing, she pioneers transformative experiences, guiding individuals to discover their true selves in nature's tranquil embrace.

    Read Bio

FAQs

  • We understand life has many challenges and opportunities to interrupt our plans. If have to cancel for any reason once payment is recieved, you may cancel for a full refund, less a $50 administrative fee, up until 30 days prior to the trip. After that, you may cancel for a 50% refund up until 14 days prior to the trip. Cancelations within 14 days of the trip will not be eligible for refunds.

    We recommend signing up for travel insurance, in case you need to cancel within 30 days of the trip start date due to illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances. Please do not attend the trip if you have tested positive for Covid-19 or other communicable disease.

    If tested positive for Covid, you will receive full credit for attendance at another Trail Based Healing Retreat.

    In the unlikely case of forest fire or other prohibitive environmental conditions, the trip location may be changed. Or, the trip may be cancelled and you would be issued a full refund or you may use the payment for a later retreat date.

  • Upon registration, we will send you a full gear packing list with links to suggestions of what types of gear to choose. There is a ton of information on REI website and many people have detailed blogs about gear.

  • This retreat is open for any self-identifed women over the age of 18. Any person who is willing and able to carry the own weight is welcome to join!

  • After registration, we will send a google for with possible dates the week before we embark on our adventure. If you cannot attend the group zoom call, a recording of the conversation will be available. Also any personal questions or concerns please feel fee to reach out via email or we can set up a phone call. I am always willing to work 1-on-1.

  • We want to create a safe and sacred space for all women to feel comfortable so we ask NO alcohol or drugs be taken with us on this retreat. Thank you for respeting and honoring this agreement.

  • There is limited parking at all trailheads and to unsure we all get there at the right times and the same location, we ask to al carpool. There will be 2 cars with 3-4 people traveling together. We are open and willing to discuss special accomidations so please email or set up a phone call.