Outdoorithm Muir Woods
Group Trip 2025
Alice Eastwood Group Camp
February 15-17, 2025
SOLD OUT - Click here to join the waitlist!
The Alice Eastwood Group Camp, tucked into the heart of Mount Tamalpais State Park, is a rare opportunity to experience one of California’s most sought-after camping destinations. Just steps away from the legendary Muir Woods, this campsite invites us to come together under the towering redwoods, sharing meals, stories, and a love for the outdoors. With trails that lead to stunning waterfalls and breathtaking views of the Bay Area, the setting feels like a world away from daily life.
What to Expect (i.e. is this trip for me?): This is a more adventurous trip, perfect for those ready to embrace the outdoors—campsites are scattered along forest paths, so be prepared to carry your gear a short distance to reach your site. February’s cool weather and possible rain add vibrancy to the forest and a touch of excitement to the experience.
If you’re ready to embrace nature with rain gear in hand and an adventurous spirit, this trip promises fun, connection, and lasting memories!
The Details
Where: Alice Eastwood Group Camp, Mount Tamalpais State Park
When: Saturday, February 15 - Monday, February 17 (Presidents’ Day Weekend)
What: Great community, good food, optional hikes through one of the most beautiful redwood forests in California.
🌧️ February weather can be rainy—check the forecast before you go and pack rain gear! We’ll only cancel for severe storms. Use Outdoorithm’s weather widget (search "Alice Eastwood" under ‘Campgrounds’) to stay updated.
What’s Included?
Food: We’ll provide dinner and breakfast starting the evening of Saturday, Feb. 15th until the morning of Monday, Feb. 17th.
Sleeping: Outdoorithm Collective provides 1 tent and 2 cots per group, plus string lights. For this trip, we’ll be using lighter weight, fully waterproof, polyester tents with inflatable air frames.
Amenities: Flush toilets and running water.
Heated Community Tent: We will be setting up a canvas lodge tent that will be heated so you can get toasty warm.
Activities: Muir Woods and Mount Tam are filled with some of the most in-demand, amazing hiking trails in all of California, from popular accessible paved paths to moderately strenuous trails that allow you to experience the tranquility of the redwoods away from larger crowds.
What Do I Bring?
Food: Bring your own lunches, snacks, and drinks.
Sleeping: Bring a sleeping bag and sleeping pad; pillow optional. See our partner Outdoorithm’s gear tool for recommendations.
Clothing, shoes and personal items:
Warm layers, insulated coat and rain jacket, and waterproof shoes - SEE PACKING RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW!
Personal items + toiletries
Activities: Anything you know your family will enjoy (card games, books, journals and colored pencils, etc.)
Ready to go?
Layering Essentials
1. Base Layer
Mid to light weight wool works best at regulating temperature and wicking sweat. We’ve used fleece baselayers with our kids and those work as well. Avoid cotton as it holds moisture and makes you colder. Here are some recommendations:
Women’s MERIWOOL Baselayer Top
Women’s MERIWOOL Baselayer Bottoms
Men’s Baselayer Icebreaker 200 Oasis Crew Top
Men’s Baselayer Icebreaker 200 Oasis Bottoms
Kids’ Baselayers:
Rocky Thermal Underwear Set for Kids (Fleece)
MERIWOOL Kids Unisex Thermal Bottoms Midweight Merino Wool Base Layer
MERIWOOL Kids Long Sleeve Shirt -Midweight Merino Wool Base Layer
2. Mid layer - fleece or heavier wool layer.
3. Wool Socks
Cold, wet weather is not a good time for cotton as it holds moisture and takes a long time to dry.
Women’s Socks: Tough Cuties (a Black woman owned brand) | Amazon Affiliate Link
Men’s and women’s: Darn Tough socks
4. Outerwear - see our recommendations below!
5. Waterproof shoes - see our recommendations below!
Outerwear and Jackets
"Which jacket should I bring?" It's a common question—and for good reason. A quality jacket is an investment but key to staying warm and dry.
For camp, a heavyweight down jacket keeps you warm when inactive, especially in chilly mornings and evenings. Choose one with a waterproof shell or layer a rain jacket over it.
For rainy hikes, opt for a lighter insulated jacket or fleece/base layers under a rain shell—down is too warm and doesn’t handle moisture well.
Here are our top picks across categories:
1. Heavyweight Down (Best All-Around Option)
These are ideal for lounging, low-output activities, and staying warm in cold weather.
Men’s Rab Neutrino Pro Down Jacket ($400):
Why: Ultra-warm, high-quality down, packs small for hiking/camping, the ideal jacket for lounging in cold temps.
Men’s The North Face McMurdo Parka ($400):
Why: Stylish, waterproof outer shell, warm enough for most outings; bulkier than the Rab, so not suitable for more vigorous outdoor adventures where you'd want to pack it into a backpack.
Rab Women’s Neutrino Pro Down Jacket ($400):
Why: Premium warmth with 7.5 oz. of 800-fill down, great for camping or cold-weather trips, packs down small.
The North Face Arctic Parka ($350):
Why: Stylish, waterproof, and insulated with 600-fill down for everyday use (not ideal for below-freezing temps unless active).
Rab Deep Cover Parka ($315):
Why: Stylish design, 12 oz. of 700-fill down for excellent warmth, durable shell (but not waterproof), significantly warmer than the North Face Arctic Parka but less packable than the Rab Neutrino - in between the two options above
Toddler + Kids’ Patagonia Hi-Loft Down Sweater Hoodie ($149-$189):
REI Affiliate Link (Toddler) | REI Affiliate Link (Kid)
Product Page (Toddler) | Product Page (Kid)
2. Lightweight Insulated Synthetic (For Active Movement)
These are better for hiking since they handle moisture (rain or sweat) and are more breathable than down. But you'll be cold at camp if you only brought one of these jackets and aren’t actively moving.
Men’s Rab Xenair Alpine Insulated Jacket ($260):
Why: Lightweight, breathable, and versatile for hikes.
Men’s Arcteryx Atom Heavyweight Hoody ($350):
Why: Insulated, durable, and moisture-friendly (heavier than Xenair).
Women’s Rab Xenair Alpine Insulated Jacket ($260):
Why: Lightweight and breathable, perfect for moderate hikes.
Women’s Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody ($329):
Why: Cozy and breathable, designed for active use with excellent mobility.
Kids’ Columbia Pike Lake II Hooded Insulated Jacket ($45-$90):
Why: Thermal reflective lining will keep your kids warm. Columbia has a unique Outgrown system that allows you to extend the length of the coat’s arms by 1.5” as your kids grow, making the coat last longer.
Kids' Patagonia Down Sweater ($139)
Why: Warm, lightweight, stuffs down small. Great all-around.
3. Lightweight Options for Vigorous Activity
If you’re planning to do more intense hiking, something like the lightweight Arcteryx Atom Hoody (not the heavyweight) is a great option.
4. Rain Protection
A rain jacket is a must-have in this wet environment. At camp, you can layer it over a heavier jacket if it isn’t already waterproof (e.g. the McMurdo already has a built-in waterproof shell). While hiking, layer it over your fleece and wool base, and you can adjust layers as your body temperature shifts.
Men’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L ($179)
Why: Durable 3-layer waterproofing, great all-around protection, and excellent value.
Women’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L ($179)
Why: Durable 3-layer waterproofing, great all-around protection, and excellent value.
Toddler Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
Why: Durable 3-layer waterproofing, great all-around protection, and excellent value.
Kids’ Patagonia Torrentshell 3L ($129)
Why: Durable 3-layer waterproofing, great all-around protection, and excellent value.
Men’s REI Co-op Rainier ($100) Currently on sale @ REI for $70
Why: Solid waterproofing, pit zips for ventilation, and a great price for a full-featured shell.
Women’s REI Co-op Rainier ($100)
Why: Solid waterproofing, pit zips for ventilation, and a great price for a full-featured shell.
Kids’ REI Co-op Rainier ($80) Currently on sale @ REI for $56
Why: Solid waterproofing, pit zips for ventilation, and a great price for a full-featured shell.
Men’s Black Diamond Fineline Stretch ($180)
Why: Flexible, lightweight, and comfortable with good waterproofing for active movement.
REI Affiliate Link
Women’s Black Diamond Fineline Stretch ($180)
Why: Flexible, lightweight, and comfortable with good waterproofing for active movement.
Waterproof Shoes
For a rainy group camping trip with light hiking, the best shoes are fully waterproof, comfortable for all-day wear, and provide solid traction on wet terrain. These options will keep your feet dry while offering stability for easy walks around camp and short hikes.
Men's Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe ($140)
Why: Comfortable, durable, and affordable, the Moab 3 Waterproof offers solid traction, cushioning, and reliable waterproofing—a great choice for wet conditions and light hiking.
Women’s Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe ($140)
Why: Comfortable, durable, and affordable, the Moab 3 Waterproof offers solid traction, cushioning, and reliable waterproofing—a great choice for wet conditions and light hiking.
Kids’ Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe ($62)
Why: Comfortable, durable, and affordable, the Moab 3 Waterproof offers solid traction, cushioning, and reliable waterproofing—a great choice for wet conditions and light hiking.
Men’s Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX ($180)
Why: Plush cushioning and a smooth stride make the Anacapa one of the most comfortable waterproof options—ideal for casual hikes and camp use.
Women’s Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX ($180)
Why: Plush cushioning and a smooth stride make the Anacapa one of the most comfortable waterproof options—ideal for casual hikes and camp use.
Men’s Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX ($160)
Why: A solid waterproof shoe with good traction and durability. A bit stiff, but great for light hiking in wet conditions.
Women’s Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX ($160) Currently on sale @ REI for $112
Why: A solid waterproof shoe with good traction and durability. A bit stiff, but great for light hiking in wet conditions.
Men’s Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX ($160)
Why: A versatile, lightweight waterproof shoe with great grip and a cushioned midsole—perfect for camp lounging and easy hikes.
Women’s Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX ($160)
Why: A versatile, lightweight waterproof shoe with great grip and a cushioned midsole—perfect for camp lounging and easy hikes.
Our Trip Philosophy
➡️ Community DIY: We thrive together. From pitching tents to prepping meals, every task is a shared adventure. Our goal? Empowering you to become a confident camper, solo or in groups.
➡️ Inclusive Outdoors: We're rewriting the story of who belongs in nature. Together, we're building an outdoor community where everyone feels welcome and valued.
➡️ Stewardship: We tread lightly and leave no trace, preserving nature's beauty for all. Each camper is a caretaker, ensuring our outdoor spaces thrive for generations to come.
What do Outdoorithm Collective trips look like?
Here’s a quick peak at our trips and our amazing community.
FAQs
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No, there is no fee to attend. You do need to provide your own lunch, snacks, and drinks, as well as sleeping bag and sleeping pad. If you’d like to contribute to Outdoorithm Collective to support this and future trips, you can make a tax-deductible donation online.
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Breakfast and dinner are provided, starting with dinner on Saturday, February 15th. Everyone is expected to contribute to meal preparation and cleanup, as part of our value of co-creating a camping community.
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Please reach out to Sally directly at sally@outdoorithmcollective.org
Exploring Muir Woods
Muir Woods offers a variety of trails perfect for group hikes, from short, accessible walks to full-day adventures. Each trail highlights the beauty of California, featuring towering redwoods, scenic ocean views, and serene forest paths.
From the Alice Eastwood Camp, it’s 0.6 miles to the intersection with the Muir Wood Main Trail, an accessible paved and wooden path. There are several loops, ranging from short (1-2 mile) and accessible to longer (6-8 miles), more challenging hikes along the canyon walls.