Explore Yellowstone - Build Your Relationship
Join Open Routes Adventures and Breakwater Expeditions to experience the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park. Through the peaks and valleys, and alongside bison and geo-thermals, we will backpack off the beaten path and explore areas where few people get to go. Yellowstone spans almost 3,500 miles and extends into parts of Montana and Idaho, making it one of the largest national parks in the US. Yellowstone National Park sits on top of a dormant volcano and is home to more geysers and hot springs than any other place on earth. Wonders abound at this truly unique national park, from sites like the Yellowstone Grand Canyon to wildlife like America’s largest buffalo herd, grizzly bears, and wolves.
This trip offers space to work on relationship skills for couples at any stage of their relationship (more info below in FAQs), while embarking on a truly unique experience of spectacular hiking, beautiful views, and wildlife.
Registration is closed for 2024. Stay tuned for new trip dates here!
Connect: Deepen your relationship as you hike through wild landscapes and lay beneath the stars.
Explore: Embark on a challenge that will be outside your normal practice and feel the benefits of a true adventure.
Restore: Breathe in the mountain air amidst the wonders that only Yellowstone has to offer.
Open Routes Adventures are built to create space for couples to work on relationship skills while exploring new terrain together. These trips are created to help you unplug from daily life stressors to give you intentional space to grow together.
This adventure will allow for time recreating, relaxing, and reconnecting your relationship. You will have guidance and support to work on communication, connection, emotional support, and repair with licensed therapist Blair Anne Hensen, LCPC.
FAQs
Who is this trip for: Any ages and stages of a couple! Many choose to come who are in a transition: kids are leaving for college, thinking about engagement, newlyweds, considering having a family, etc. This trip is for any couple interested in learning preventative skills and creating a secure and intentional relationship. All backgrounds and intersecting identities are encouraged to join (21 years old and up). We offer opportunities for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabilities to join us through scholarship. Contact us to apply today!
Backcountry experience is not required. Some comfortability in wilderness settings is recommended (ie. rustic facilities, camping, no amenities).
Who is it not for: This trip is not able to support couples currently dealing with significant relationship distress (divorce, betrayal, addiction, emotional and physical abuse, or severe mental health challenges). Couples counseling is recommended for couples dealing with significant distress.
This trip includes:
Meals: Healthy fresh food, vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, and meats. We can accommodate dietary needs.
Gear: All the backpacking essentials you will need (tents, backpacks, pads, sleeping bags, cookware, etc). A packing list will be provided for additional personal items including your personal hiking gear.
Daily relationship workshops. All activities are optional, and personal sharing in the group is not required.
A pre and post group coaching call with trip leader (Blair Anne Hensen, LCPC).
Does not include:
Transportation to and from the trailhead.
Gratuity for guide.
Fishing licenses or tackle.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Meet together at the Fairy Falls trailhead at 12pm. This will give you plenty of time if you want to have a morning stroll at Old Faithful and or take your time driving through the park. We will gather for lunch, introductions, and make any adjustments to gear before we make our way to the first campsite. The first day will be about a 3 mile hike in with a stop for pictures at Fairy Falls. Once we get to camp we will set up tents and gather for an afternoon discussion and couples activity on connection. Dinner will follow, and time to unwind with your partner.
Day 2- Today we will integrate couples activities with day hiking. This area is is known for it’s geothermal pools and wildlife sightings, so we will spend the day exploring the area while we work on communication skills.
Day 3- Today we will pack up and move campsites to a new location to explore. In the morning we will have breakfast and fireside time to discuss the theme of emotional support, and then make our way down the trail (about 4.5 miles) to our next camp. In the afternoon, we will have down time with an option for a relationship exercise on your own, or time connecting the way you want to. In the evening, we will gather and discuss conflict repair.
Day 4- This morning will be our last morning together. We will finalize our workshop and set intentions for yourselves as you head home. We will plan to pack up our gear and head to the trailhead. We will finish our trip with lunch.
*Please note some of the details may change. Reach out with any questions about travel plans and ideas for planning your Yellowstone adventures pre or post.
We are thrilled to partner with Breakwater Expeditions. They have been guiding with excellence and experience for over ten years, supporting therapeutic retreats and group experiences throughout.
