Empower her

Salmon River, Mt. Hood, OR

sept. 17 - 20, 2026

Step onto the trail, reconnect with your truth, and let the forest, the river, and the wild places hold and carry what you're ready to let go of.

This is a Gentle & Soulful Women's Backpacking Retreat — four days in the Oregon wilderness designed for women who are tired of being tired. Women who feel the call of something wilder. Women who are ready to set down what they've been carrying and remember who they are beneath it all.

No backpacking experience required. No fitness test to pass. Just you, a small circle of women, and four days of walking, resting, and healing in one of Oregon's most beautiful wilderness areas.

Before the trailhead, we gather twice on Zoom. One call to prepare your body and your pack, one to meet the women you'll walk with. You won't arrive as a stranger — to the group or to yourself. And at basecamp, you'll be invited to offer something of your own to the circle — a meditation, a movement practice, an art experience, a piece of your inner life shared beside the water.

Everything included:

  • Transportation from Portland to trailhead and back

  • Group gear

  • Wilderness permits

  • Pre-retreat Zoom prep call

  • An 8-week gentle backpacking training guide

  • Detailed gear and food list

  • Food planning support zoom meeting

  • Community offering circleAll group gear

  • Elemental healing ceremonies & guided meditations

  • Expert guide with 15+ years backpacking experience

This retreat is for you if:

  • You're burned out and your soul is craving something wilder

  • You want to experience the wilderness but don't know where to start

  • You're ready to slow down, go inward, and come home to yourself

  • You want to be held by nature and a community of women who get it

Come as you are. Leave lighter.

Register Now
Schedule a Informational Call

Overview of our Journey

  • Hand holding a compass outdoors with a forested mountainside in the background.

    Where

    Salmon River Trail:

    Mt. Hood Wilderness, OR

  • A wall with multiple clocks of various styles and sizes arranged in a decorative pattern.

    Duration

    4 Days & 3 Nights

    Sept. 17-20th

  • Multiple hands stacked together in a communal gesture of unity, with diverse skin tones and wearing various rings and sleeves with colorful sweaters.

    Group Size

    6 Women

    1 Lead Guide

  • Close-up of a person's foot wearing a gray athletic shoe stepping on a rock surface, with the other foot slightly behind, dressed in dark gray socks and pants.

    Activity Level

    3-4 miles to Basecamp

    ~900ft. Elevation gain

  • A dirt hiking trail winding through a forest with trees on both sides and a lake visible through the trees in the distance.

    Outdoor Skill

    Carry 30-40lb Pack

    Hike 3-4 miles

  • Sunset viewed through an ancient stone archway with rainbow lens flare effects.

    Rituals

    Guided Mediations/ Movement

    Cacao/Fire/Water Ceremonies

    Reflections/Sharing Circles

Investment

Sliding Scale: choose the tier that honestly reflects what you can afford.

$600 · $700 · $800

Payment Plans Available!

Optional gear rental:

Tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad package available for $100.

Sign up now!

Need a little Support getting here?

One scholarship spot is available for this retreat at $500.

Offered on a first-come, first-served basis to women for whom financial need is a real barrier. If that's you, we want you here.

Apply Now

Your Bonus Gift — Come Home to the Wild

When you sign up for the Gentle & Soulful Backpacking Retreat, you'll receive a free copy of my 8-week gentle backpacking training guide — designed to have you feeling ready, resourced and confident before you ever set foot on the trail.

Inside you'll find:

  • Gentle strength training built for the trail

  • Progressive walks and hikes that build real endurance

  • Pack training that eases you into the load

  • Weekly trail tips and spiritual teachings

  • Mindset tools for when the trail gets hard

No gym. No equipment. No pushing past your limits.

Just 8 weeks of intentional, gentle preparation — so you can arrive at the trailhead as your fullest self.

I am Ready!

Healing Activities

  • Flames of fire burning in a dark background.

    Fire Ceremony

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

  • Close-up of dark water surface with small ripples and waves.

    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.

  • Close-up of a young green plant sprouting from dark soil in a garden.

    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.

  • A woman with short dark hair and a black top is leaning her head against a tree trunk with her eyes closed in a lush, green forest as sunlight filters through the leaves.

    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.

  • Pieces of milk chocolate bar with almonds and cocoa nibs, surrounded by almonds and cocoa nibs.

    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

  • Arrive & Settle In: Meet in inner SE Portland at 10am. We drive together to the Salmon River Trailhead — about 2 hours — with one stop along the way. We hike approximately 2-4 miles to basecamp, set up home for the next three nights, and ease into the wilderness together. In the evening we gather around the fire for our opening ceremony — setting intentions and welcoming what wants to come through.

  • Explore: A gentle morning of meditation and movement, then a small group day hike to a lookout point. The distance is decided together based on how everyone is feeling — this is not a race. Afternoons are yours — solo time by the river, journaling, resting, wandering. In the evening we come together for a sharing circle.

  • Rest & Go Deep: This is your full rest day. Nowhere to be, nothing to achieve. The morning opens with a half-day of silence — space to be fully with yourself and the wilderness. In the afternoon silence lifts and we gather for our cacao ceremony, elemental healing work, and guided meditation. This is often the day women describe as the turning point.

  • Close & Carry It Home: A gentle closing ceremony to honor what shifted over these four days. We pack up basecamp, hike out together, and drive back to Portland — expected arrival by 6pm. You leave lighter than you arrived.

Trip Terrain

Description:
The Salmon River Trail, nestled in the lush old-growth forest of Mt. Hood National Forest, offers a magical journey alongside one of Oregon’s most pristine and powerful rivers. Towering ancient trees, moss-draped canopies, and the constant sound of flowing water create a deeply peaceful and healing atmosphere. With countless quiet spots to rest, reflect, and connect with nature, the trail offers a truly immersive wilderness experience.

Trail Difficulty:
The trail covers approximately 11 miles round trip with a gentle elevation gain of about 900 feet, making it accessible for most hikers, including beginners. The path is well-maintained, with a steady, gradual incline and plenty of flat stretches ideal for soaking in the serene surroundings.

Trail Access:
The trailhead is located near Welches, Oregon, just off Hwy 26. A short drive down a forest road leads to the Salmon River West Trailhead. Parking is available but can fill up quickly on weekends, so early arrival is recommended.

Logistics

Questions? Let's Chat

We will begin our adventure with meeting in Portland 10 am Thursday (address will be email upon registration). There is limited parking so may be wise to plan ahead to get dropped off at location.

We will have one stop at Hoodland Thriftway in Welches, OR for any last minute purchases before we head to the trailhead .

Trailhead: Salmon River Trailhead, Mt. Hood, Oregon

Travel Time: 2 Hours plus bathroom breaks

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

I am ready, let’s go! Register Here

Meet your Guide

  • A woman smiling outdoors with a scenic lake and mountains in the background, wearing a black tank top on a sunny day.

    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 is full of unexpected twists. Here's how we handle cancellations:

    6 or more weeks before the retreat: Full refund minus your non-refundable deposit ($200 for early bird registrations / $250 for regular price registrations).

    3–6 weeks before the retreat: 50% refund of the total amount paid.

    Less than 3 weeks before the retreat: No refund. We recommend trip insurance for added peace of mind — it typically runs about $100 and can cover cancellations due to illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances.

    If Trail Based Healing cancels: You will receive a full refund, no questions asked.

    If you test positive for Covid-19 or another communicable disease close to the retreat date, please do not attend. Reach out directly and we will do our best to find a solution, including credit toward a future retreat.

    If forest fire, extreme weather, or other environmental conditions make the retreat unsafe or impossible, the location may be changed or the retreat cancelled with a full refund issued.

  • 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!

  • We'll meet together on the Monday before our retreat from 6:00–7:30pm on Zoom. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the women you'll be sharing the trail with, ask any questions, set intentions for our time together, and make sure you feel fully prepared before we head out.

    If you're unable to make it, a recording will be available. And as always, if you have personal questions or concerns, feel free to reach out by email or we can set up a one-on-one call — I'm always happy to connect.

  • 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. This include no smoking, vaping or other forms of tobacco. Thank you for respecting and honoring this agreement.

  • There is limited parking at all trailheads and to ensure we all get there at the right times and the same location, we will 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.

  • As much as we love our four-legged companions, this retreat is a dog-free space. To allow every woman to fully rest and settle into the wilderness — and to honor the animals already calling that land home — we ask that pets stay behind.