Wednesday, July 11th – Day 1
Only five of us Scouts and Scouters this year. Click here for more photos
After a four-hour drive up Hwy 395 in 100° heat, we arrived at Horseshoe Meadows Campground above Lone Pine, CA. The crew spent about an hour unloading the packs and setting up camp up camp. None of us had much of an appetite but managed chow down the Chili Mac and instant pudding.
All of us turned in around 8:30pm.
DAY 2
We woke at 6am and started boiled water for coffee and oatmeal. Camp tear down was a little slow as the scouts were getting used to the equipment and the altitude. Mr. Z did a shakedown (below) for the boys and was able to shave of a fair amount of weight while keeping the boys safe and comfortable.
A pre-hike shakedown helps scouts better understand what is best to take, or leave behind.
By 8:30am we were packed and ready for the trail. The morning was cool and a cloudy; perfect hiking conditions. As we made our way through the meadows, we took a few breaks to adjust our shoes and check for hot spots.
The trail was not too steep for the Scouts but gave the beginners a good feel for their loads without wearing them out. Mr. Z, Isaac and I took the lead while Dave and Mike assumed the roles of Sweep.
Isaac navigating through one of many meadows throughout the hike
Mr. Z kept a moderate pace, perfect for the boys. Rather than Mr. Z stopping to wait for every pause along the trail, he continued up, only stopping at junctions and landmarks. He is a good role model of how to keep the pace while maintaining the crew!
Making adjustments on the trail
Finally, after a few hours of hiking and 5-1/2 miles, we came to the South Fork Lake. Mr. Z and I scouted the sites. We found a spot and set up camp.
As it began to rain, the scouts made a rain fly from a silnylon poncho using the lashing and knot skills they learned.
After lunch, the sky opened and it started to rain. All of us took to our tents until the rain stopped. Then the men all went fishing until it was nearly dark. For dinner we had lasagna.
All of us turned in at 8:30PM.
Day 3
Up at 6:00am, the boys boiled water and helped make couscous for breakfast. I have to say that couscous is not my favorite breakfast food, not was it popular with the Scouts. Notes to self: save the pasta for lunch and dinner.
That day we decided to climb New Army Pass. It was a projected 3 mile hike.
The trail leading up to New Army Pass
Another beautiful view as we inched our way up the mountain
Mr. Z and Isaac enjoying the view from atop New Army Pass
We reached the top at 12, 310’ and all hung out on top for about 30 minutes.
The scouts liked the hike down as it was steep but much easier than the climb up. On our way down, it started raining raining again, eventually hard enough for us to use our jackets. I only brought my new, homemade Tyvek jacket. It worked great.
The view of our camp with the boys fishing for golden trout
Once at camp, we decided to all go to our respective tents and take power naps until the rain subsided. All afternoon, the boys continued working on their Fly Fishing Merit badge with Mike.
The scouts later had golden trout for dinner. We were told it was delicious!
Day 4
Mr. Z and Mr. Emerson got up early to fish while the boys slept in.
The ASMs fishing in the morning
It didn’t take long to break camp and dial in our packs. We had a little time to experiment with pack loading options to help make the loads more comfortable.
Mr. Z helping the boys with map and compass skills during one of our trail breaks
We were on the trail again by 9:10am. We took a cross country route which followed a stream down the mountain and through meadows.
“Hikin’ Ike” tries on Mr. Z pack for comparison.
Just for fun, ASMs Mr. Emerson and Mr. Taylorson trade packs at the end of the hike.
The boys all did great. We ended the trip around 11:30am, loaded our packs in the truck and headed for home.