Armstrong Scholars 2025 Trip Report

Scenes from the bus ride to Yosemite.

While this start was not in the plans, our "bus-ituation" paved the way for adventure, togetherness, and resilience. Armstrong Scholars 2025 was marked by blue skies, constant chatter, profound giggles, and indescribable joy. 

After our first night at Yosemite’s May Lake, we set off “up north to Yosemite,” as one of our scholars declared. Over the course of twelve days, through passes, forests, meadows, and granite cliffs, we made our way toward Leavitt Meadows. 

The 2025 Armstrong Scholars' favorite way to camp: "cowboy camping" under the stars!

The first half of our trip was marked by challenge, with many of our first days being the longer, more strenuous days. This challenge, which was physical for some and more mental for others, brought the group together. In the midst of it all, the girls supported, motivated, and cared for one another with such a deep sense of family and togetherness. We laughed through the difficulties and sang up mountains. And, of course, humor was our steady companion. As we were hiking through Matterhorn Canyon and over Burro Pass, we were motivated by a deep collective desire for ONE BIG CHEEZ-IT. To the average reader, this may make no sense, and that is okay. Only Armstrong ’25 truly knows the importance of a mountain cheez-it.

The Scholars trekking through a mountain pass.

One of the group's favorite campsites was our evening spent at the Finger Lakes, located between Burro and Mule passes. We were nestled in an over-10,000-foot-high meadow full of meandering streams, high sierra wildflowers, and tranquil lakes, with massive peaks surrounding us on all sides. As the sun set that evening, we ate our worst meal of the trip (thanks to some strange-tasting stuffing) and watched the sun as it cast an orange glow on the surrounding peaks. The beauty was beyond what can be captured in words.

The Armstrong Scholars' 2025 favorite campsite!

During the evenings, we culminated each day in a "GRANITE meeting," which is a classic Armstrong tradition that often brings laughter, reflection, and even tears. With each meeting, someone would light our “Joie candle," and we would welcome Joie into our circle. Through each lighting of the candle, we were reminded of Joie Armstrong’s light, power, and legacy. Our meetings were a way to come together each day, reflect on our experiences and emotions, and have a chance to share music, readings, and other special tidbits with each other. During one evening, a scholar shared a phrase she was taught, “And oh, how lucky are we?”, which became a commonly utilized phrase to express our collective awe and appreciation of everything around us. After our meetings, we gave out bedtime hugs and were off to sleep, dreaming of mountains, marmots, and fresh fruit.

The Scholars enjoying a typical evening meal together.

At just about the halfway point in the trip, we hiked to the Peeler Lake junction, where we were greeted by fifteen-ish wonderful, exuberant humans, AKA our Resupply Angels. These folks had woken up at 5 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, to hike over 1,500 feet in elevation and seven miles in distance to replenish our food supplies and bring a delectable lunch of sandwiches, fresh fruits, vegetables, and even a giant cherry pie! It was such a treat for us and the scholars to experience some of the many people who cheer us on from afar—to eat and laugh with folks both new and old. 

The 2025 Armstrong Scholars and leaders with the Resupply Angels.

After resupply, with full bellies and hearts, we headed to Peeler Lake, where we camped for two days on top of a granite ledge overlooking the lake. There, we treated ourselves to a bit of self care: "cleaning" ourselves, painting nails, doing hair, and more. Pure rejuvenation. 

We spent the next day embracing rest in the purest way possible—by having a multi-hour silent, dispersed sit in Kerrick Meadow. The intent was to embrace the magic and challenge of being with oneself for multiple hours, and it was just that. For some, the time to ourselves was pure bliss, and for others, it was a tedious test of patience. And, at the end of it all, we feasted, laughed, and grew together. 

Camping along the shores of Peeler Lake.

When it was time to say goodbye to Peeler Lake, we wished it well and headed over Buckeye Pass to a junction. There was a collective inertia this day, after having spent two days lounging, but, just as always, we made it through together. A ramen dinner boosted moods, and the next day we awoke before dawn in order to go over Kirkland Pass for sunrise. With headlamps guiding our hike, we ascended Kirkland in the morning coolness, being struck by the sun’s morning glow as we hiked. Upon reaching the top, we whipped up the most delicious breakfast, AKA “the Big Savory.” This meal of hash browns, sausage, and scrambled eggs filled our hungry tummies so much that we took a group nap at the top of Kirkland Pass before descending. 

Scholars hiking through yet another alpine meadow.

Following Kirkland, our final days were largely downhill, and the group breezed through the final chunk of the trip. We were reaching camp before 5 p.m., giving ourselves time to swim and play. During our final full day in the backcountry, the leaders (Ivy and Peggy) somehow lost their ability to speak! We awoke without this capacity, and it was up to our scholars to lead themselves to our final camp destination. Though many of the scholars were sad that we could not talk, they stepped up beautifully to this challenge and worked together to lead the group all day long. Just before dinner, Peggy and Ivy's voices miraculously returned, and everyone—especially us—were ecstatic to have our voices back.

Parker showing off one of our delectable homemade brownie balls!

We spent our final backcountry night together at Lane Lake, where we feasted on Pad Thai and Brownie Balls (see photo) under the stars. We awoke early the next morning, packed up, covered our faces in glitter, adorned ourselves with our Disco shirts, and hiked to Leavitt Meadows. Our scholars smelled the bus from a half mile away (quite literally), and as we rounded the corner, our driver was there with the bus to take us to the campfire. Greeting the bus was bittersweet; the luxury of a toilet and a cushioned seat was undeniable, but by entering the bus, we were all saying goodbye to something truly life-changing. But, as a friend once wrote, joy is meant to be shared, never held. And it was time for us to share the joy of our time in the backcountry with family, friends, and strangers. “I’m always gonna feel the way I do, and I do feel it all—all the time.”

We (the Armstrong leaders) have never felt so much pride as we experienced leading this trip. Yosemite provided the backdrop, Joie provided the light, and our scholars made all the possibility for joy a reality. It was pure magic, with a side of bug bites and natural gas (human-produced). Thank you to everyone who has helped and continues to help make this program a reality for young women. Thank you, Joie Armstrong, for your life and the way your sparkle and zest for life spreads endlessly. We gulped life on this trip, and we learned the power and goodness of always gulping what this life has to offer. It is fleeting, but it is so beautiful. This magic will continue on forever, and how lucky are we!

The heart carries the feet. Gulp life.

With love,

Ivy and Peggy