California Alpine Guides represents the leading edge of United States mountain guiding. Founded by veteran mountain guides and California natives Dave Miller and Scott Brown, CAG strives to help you achieve your climbing and backpacking goals through distinctive mountain climbing and backcountry skiing adventures across the golden state and around the world.

With over 45 years of climbing, mountaineering and skiing experience and 17 years of mountain guiding experience between them, Scott & Dave bring a high level of guiding experience and professionalism to California Alpine Guides.

It is our goal to build the best mountain guiding company in the nation. From the Cascades to Joshua Tree National Park, California's awe-inspiring mountains are our playground.


Our Service
We believe in a higher level of mountain guiding. From the food you eat to the climbing instruction you receive every detail is ready and arranged. We take care of you not just from the trailhead, but from the moment you contact us. We can arrange all your vacation needs from lodging packages to recommendations on pre and post- trip activities in the areas you're visiting with CAG. We're also available to help you with any equipment or fitness questions.

We believe in eating well in the mountains, so you're going to eat well also. All the food you're served on our trips is of the highest quality possible. Our mountain guides are skilled in the art of backcountry cooking and enjoy preparing a hearty meal after a day in the mountains. No freeze-dried here. And of course, special diets can be accommodated.

Our Professionalism
We believe the best mountain guide is not simply the best climber. Our mountain guides are highly trained professionals with many years of experience not only in climbing and mountain travel, but also in teaching. They are charismatic folks dedicated to the pursuit of mountain adventure who love to share their passion. CAG strongly supports mountain guide education through the American Mountain Guides Association and other professional education providers.

Our Value
We believe in providing you with all the tools for success. In addition to meals, all our trips include group camping equipment such as tents and cooking gear. All technical climbing equipment such as helmets, harnesses, ice axes and crampons are included when needed. On winter backcountry skiing and climbing trips all avalanche safety equipment such as rescue beacons and shovels are always included. Our mountain guides use only state-of-the-art technical climbing equipment.

Our Commitment
We believe our first commitment is to you, the mountain guiding client. Your wellbeing and safety are paramount. We believe in stewardship of the land on which we work and play. We strictly hold to Leave No Trace principles, which means we leave the land in the same, or better, condition in which we found it. We teach LNT principles on all our trips. The land belongs to everyone and must be preserved for all to enjoy.