RAWASI

BACKPACKING

RETREAT

Weekend Wilderness Trek

July 17-19, 2026

Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA

Brothers Only · Ages 18+ · Beginner-Friendly

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Limited spots Available!

Spend a weekend deep in the Sierra Nevada — hiking through the backcountry, camping in the wilderness, and resetting your soul far from the noise of everyday life. Surrounded by brothers, with Halaqas led by Imam Yaseen Mahmoud, and guided every step of the way. Depart Friday afternoon, return Sunday evening. No experience needed.

A Guided Wilderness Retreat For Muslim Brothers

What’s Included In Your Retreat!

Imam Yaseen Mahmoud leads a halaqa every morning before we hit the trail and every evening at camp. Starting and ending each day with intention, surrounded by the creation of Allah, miles from the noise of daily life.

A fully guided multi-day backpacking trek through miles of scenic Sierra Nevada wilderness — overnight camps, route planning, safety, pacing, and campsite selection all handled so you can focus on the adventure.

Sleep in the heart of the Sierra Nevada wilderness — permitted backcountry campsites, no roads, no cabins, no hotels. Just mountains, open sky, and your brothers.

All meals provided. Friday night feast to kick off the trip. Delicious halal meals throughout. Cooked for you by your trip leaders.

Door to trailhead and back. A 15-passenger van takes the whole group deep into the Sierra Nevada — no coordinating carpools, no driving yourself after 3 days on trail.

Sierra Nevada Mountains

This July, we're heading into the

Tucked into California's northern Sierra Nevada, we’re backpacking a wilderness holding hundreds of crystal-clear alpine lakes, granite and volcanic peaks topping 11,000 feet — with a fraction of Yosemite's crowds. Darker skies. Better fishing. And a stillness that reminds you why you came. It's one of California's best-kept secrets.

Trip Itinerary

Shuttle departs 2:30 PM from MCC masjid · 4 hour drive into Sierra Nevada · Arrive to first camp · Fully cooked feast · Evening halaqa

Friday July 17 — Departure

Saturday July 18 — Real wilderness

Morning halaqa · Full day backpacking through alpine terrain · Mountains, rivers, waterfalls, backcountry swimming · Dehydrated meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) · Evening halaqa at camp

Morning halaqa (closing session) · Break camp · Hike back to trailhead · Pizza at trailhead · Shuttle back to MCC Masjid by evening

Sunday July 19 — Return

Frequently Asked Questions

Your base price covers: Halaqas with Imam Yaseen Mahmoud, guided wilderness trekking, backcountry camping, all meals Friday through Sunday (Halal), and roundtrip group shuttle from the Bay Area.
Ibrahim Twist is your Wilderness Guide — he handles all logistics, route planning, safety, and operations. He has extensive backpacking experience in the Sierra Nevada and knows this terrain well.
Imam Yaseen leads the Islamic programming — a morning halaqa before we hit the trail each day and an evening halaqa at camp. The spiritual dimension of this trip is intentional, structured, and led by someone with real knowledge and presence.
MCC Masjid, Bay Area. 2:30 PM sharp on Friday July 17 — no exceptions. Returns to MCC by Sunday evening. Exact destination is not disclosed publicly — it's part of the experience.
Young adult men, above 18 to mid-30s. Outside that range but feel called to this? Reach out and we'll talk.
We've got you covered. For $150 rental added to your base price, we give you a complete kit:
- Sleeping bag + sleeping pad — $50
- 2-person tent — $55
- Backpacking pack — $45
  
  Book asap — gear cannot be guaranteed for late bookings.
No — but you need to be in reasonable shape. Saturday is a full day on trail with a loaded pack through Sierra Nevada terrain. If you can walk 3–7 miles comfortably, you can do this. Ibrahim sets a pace the whole group can sustain. Unsure if you're ready? Reach out before booking — we'd rather have that conversation upfront.
Yes. The Emigrant Wilderness has established trails and no technical terrain. A wilderness first aid kit is on trail at all times. July is peak Sierra season — long days, stable weather, no snow. Ibrahim plans every route with the group's ability in mind.

A full packing list is sent after booking. The essentials: layers (Sierra nights get cold in July), broken-in hiking boots or trail runners, light-weight water bottle, sun protection, small istinjaa, and modest athletic clothing. Avoid cotton — it doesn't dry. Every pound in your pack matters.
Yes. All food on this trip is halal. Friday dinner and Sunday trailhead lunch are fully cooked meals. Saturday meals on trail are high-quality dehydrated meals — just add boiling water. If you have dietary needs or allergies, let us know at booking.
No. One shuttle, one group, one departure time. There is no individual transport option. If a genuine emergency comes up, reach out and we'll work through it.
All five prayers are observed as a group, led by Imam Yaseen on the trail and at camp. The Sierra Nevada has rivers, streams, and lakes throughout the route — clean water for wudu is accessible. Tayammum applies when water is not. Any fiqh questions on the trail — Imam Yaseen handles it.
Urination — step off trail, away from water sources. Simple.
Solid waste — dig a 6-inch hole at least 200 feet from water, trail, and camp. Bury waste, pack out toilet paper in a waste bag — we provide these. Ibrahim gives a full orientation before hitting the trail Saturday morning. After Day 1 you won't think twice about it.
Istinja — bring a small personal squeeze bottle designated for this. Standard practice among Muslim backpackers. Imam Yaseen is available for any specific questions.
Ibrahim has a clear emergency protocol — stabilize, assess, and contact Tuolumne County Search and Rescue if evacuation is needed. Emergency contacts are collected from every participant at booking. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, let us know confidentially in advance so we can be prepared.
Full payment is required at booking — no deposits, no holds. Spots are limited to 13 and all logistics are built around confirmed headcount. If something comes up, reach out as early as possible. The closer to the trip date, the harder it is to offer a refund as costs are already locked in

Ready to join us in the Sierras?

Secure Your Spot

Limited spots Available!

Meet Your Trip leaders

Imam Yaseen Mahmoud

Muslim Scholar, Rawasi Co-Founder

A Bay Area native and Eagle Scout, Yaseen brings a lifelong connection to the outdoors and a deep commitment to community. He holds a degree in Islamic Law and Theology from Zaytuna College, where his studies focused on Arabic Literature, Islamic Jurisprudential Law, and Ethics. On the trail, Yaseen leads morning and evening halaqas — grounding each day in intention, reflection, and brotherhood. His scholarship and presence transform this expedition from a wilderness trek into something far more meaningful.

Ibrahim Abdul-haqq Twist

Wilderness Guide, Rawasi Co-Founder

Ibrahim's outdoor roots run deep — his family has been organizing nature retreats for the Bay Area Muslim community since 2008 through organizations like L.A.K.E. and Cool Currents. He has guided multi-day backpacking treks in California's Sierra Nevada, traversed terrain across the Trinity Alps and Utah's Wasatch Mountains, and has taken his pursuit of wilderness abroad — including volcanic terrain in Indonesia on Mount Rinjani and Mount Merapi. His background in backcountry travel and group logistics gives every participant the space to be fully immersed in the wilderness and the experience.

WHO WE ARE

Built for the Muslim Community

We launched “Rawasi Adventures” this year with one purpose: to bring Muslims into the wilderness. Not just for the adventure — but for what happens when you disconnect from everything and stand in front of Allah's creation with nothing between you and it.

"Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding."

Surah Al-Imran, 3:190