GROUSE RIDGE 50 MILE BACKPACKING TREK

July 22-27, 2010

Trip Leaders: Scott Smith, Dave Wickam

Troop 1Roseville

TRIP SUMMARY

50 Mile Backpacking trip Beginning to Intermediate trip Prerequisite: Prior backpacking and hiking experience; appropriate

gear. Positive attitude. 6 day/5 nights: Thursday 7/22 to Tuesday 7/27 Two major summits:

Grouse Ridge Lookout (7707’ elevation) Old Man Mountain: (7760’ elevation)

Multiple daily lakes and rivers (Swimming/Fishing) Geocaching Gold rush country exploration Daily Tasks: 2 hrs service project, Backpacking MB workbook,

Lake/River swimming/cleanup, clothes wash/dry (2 set rotation)

TRIP ACHIEVEMENTS

50 Miler Award 10 hours of service project (Leave No Trace)

Backpacking Merit Badge preparation Scouts to teach specific requirements on

worksheets to prepare for post-trip counselor meeting. (pre-assigned)

Signed blue cards and determine merit badge counselor prior to trip.

THE 50-MILER PROGRAMThe primary objective of this program is to stimulate Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturer interest in the ideals of the movement and to promote activity that will result in personal fitness, self-reliance, Knowledge of wood lore, and a practical understanding of conservation.

Award RequirementsThe 50-Miler Award is presented to each qualifying individual for satisfactory participation in an approved trip. In order to qualify for the award, the group of which the individual is a member must fulfill all of the following requirements:1. Make complete and satisfactory plans for the trip, including the possibilities of advancement.2. Cover the trail or canoe or boat route of not less than 50 consecutive miles; take a minimum of five consecutive days to complete the trip. 3. During the time on the trail or waterway, complete a minimum of 10 hours each of group work on projects to improve the trail, springs, campsite, portage, or area. If, after checking with recognized authorities, it is not possible to complete 10 hourseach of group work on the trail, a similar project may be done in the unit’s home area. (There should be no unauthorized cutting of brush or timber.)4. Unit or tour leader must then file the 50-Miler Award application with the local council service center.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Hike in groups (Adult required) to predefined waypoint. All scouts/adults have topo map and compass. Exit plans identified for all sections of trek. Multiple GPS units. Leaders to carry additional first aid supplies. Swimming: Will follow BSA safe swim guidelines. Food in bear canisters or hanging from trees, with

minimal 200’ from campsite. Trail safety: Awareness of rattlesnakes. Leave No Trace / Fire safety: No campfires.

THINGS TO BRING Gear to Bring:

Backpack (Fitted) Sleeping bag (Backpacking) Sleeping pad Backpacking tent (Troop 1 or personal) Backpacking stove with fuel Food and trail snacks Personal cook gear 3 liters of water capacity

Water filtration available Hiking Boots First Aid kit (w/moleskin) Pocketknife Flashlight/headlamp (Extra batteries) Lighter / Matches Toilet kit (Travel sizes) Camp shovel (Plastic)

2 Pair of hiking clothes Hiking Socks Underwear (Non-cotton recommended) Pants/Shorts (Zip-off type) Shirts (Polyester)

Sunscreen / Sunglasses Bug repellent Biodegradable clothes soap Wet wipes Signal mirror / whistle Poncho /rain gear (bag for pack) Fleece type jacket Lightweight flip/flops for camp Hiking hat Nylon cord (50 feet) (Bear bags) Bear Canister Topographic Maps / compass Backpacking MB Worksheet / Pen GPS Optional Camera (Encouraged) $15-$20 (return dinner, $5 to driver)

FOOD REQUIREMENTS

Day Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks

#1 (Thurs 7/22) HOME Bring Bag Lunch

YES YES

#2 (Fri 7/23) YES YES YES YES

#3 (Sat 7/24) YES YES YES YES

#4 (Sun 7/25) YES YES YES YES

#5 (Mon 7/26) YES YES YES YES

#6 (Tues 7/27) YES YES In & Out YES

TOTALS (Backpacking)

5 5 5 6

Notes:• Meal planning in groups of 2-3.• All Breakfast / Dinners will be near water supply and ideal for camp stove.• Lunches should not require camp stove.

DAILY TRIP SUMMARIESGrouse Ridge 50 Mile Backpacking Trek

TRIP DETAILS (DAY #1) THURSDAY JULY 22, 2010(MARIN SIERRA TO FORDYCE CREEK BRIDGE)

Day #1 Highlights• Warm-up Day•Meet at Scout Lodge 9AM• Drive to Marin Sierra Boy Scout Camp (Highway 20 /80 intersection)• Cars will be parked at Marin Sierra during trip.• KEY WAYPOINTS• Chubb Lake (5320’ elevation)• South Fork Yuba (5160’ elevation)

• SWIMMING (Lagoon / waterfalls)• Pierce Meadow (5320’ elevation)• Brady Mountain side hike to view Lake Spaulding (5951’)• Fordyce Creek Bridge (5440’ elevation)

•TOTAL Miles (Estimate): 6.5 Miles• Meals:

• Bag Lunch (Eat at Marin Sierra)• Dinner (Fordyce Creek)

Marin Sierra(60th year)

Fordyce Creek

TRIP DETAILS (DAY #2) FRIDAY JULY 22, 2010(FORDYCE CREEK BRIDGE TO DOWNEY LAKE)

Day #2 Highlights• Big Elevation Day: Grouse Ridge Lookout Summit• Get early start on Grouse Ridge Climb• KEY WAYPOINTS• Fordyce Creek Bridge (5440’ elevation)• Grouse Ridge Lookout (7707’ elevation)• Downey Lake (Camp Option 1) (6920’)• Island Lake (Camp Option 2) (6840’) (adds 1.5 miles)•TOTAL Miles (Estimate): 6-7 Miles• Meals:

• Breakfast (Fordyce Creek Bridge)• Lunch (Grouse Ridge Lookout)• Dinner (Downey Lake)

DowneyLake

IslandLake

Grouse RidgeFire Lookout

TRIP DETAILS (DAY #3) SATURDAY JULY 23, 2010(DOWNEY LAKE TO FRENCH LAKE)

Day #3 Highlights• Big Distance Day • KEY WAYPOINTS• Downey Lake (6920’)• Sawmill Lake (5920’)• Faucherie Lake (6120’)• French Lake (6720’)•

•TOTAL Miles (Estimate): 10.5 Miles• Meals:

• Breakfast (Downey Lake)• Lunch (in route)• Dinner (French Lake)

French Lake

Faucherie Lake

Sawmill Lake

TRIP DETAILS (DAY #4) SUNDAY JULY 24, 2010(FRENCH LAKE TO PHOENIX LAKE)

Day #4 Highlights• Old Man Mountain Summit Day• KEY WAYPOINTS• French Lake (6720’)• Baltimore Lake (7320’)• Phoenix Lake (7000’)• Old Man Mountain Summit Climb (7760’)• TOTAL Miles (Estimate): 7.5 Miles• Meals:

• Breakfast (French Lake)• Lunch (in route)• Dinner (French Lake)

• Note: Old Man Mountain climb is 1.6 miles with day pack.

Old Man Mountain and Phoenix Lake

TRIP DETAILS (DAY #5) MONDAY JULY 25, 2010(PHOENIX LAKE TO FORDYCE CREEK)

Day #5 Highlights• GOLD Mines Exploration Day• KEY WAYPOINTS• Phoenix Lake (7000’)• Baltimore Lake (7320’)• Meadow Lake (7280’)• Excelsior Mine (7080’)• Meadow Lake Mine (7120’)• Carlyle /Grant Mines (5800’) • TOTAL Miles (Estimate): 9.5 Miles• Meals:

• Breakfast (Phoenix Lake)• Lunch (in route)• Dinner (Carlyle Mine / Fordyce Creek))

Fordyce Creek

Grant Mine

TRIP DETAILS (DAY #6) TUESDAY JULY 26, 2010(FORDYCE CREEK TO MARIN SIERRA )

Day #6 Highlights• RETURN HOME Day• KEY WAYPOINTS• Fordyce Creek (5800’)• Eagle Lakes (5440’)• South Fork Yuba(5160’)• Chubb Lake (5320’)• Depart Marin Sierra for Roseville• Projected Return to Troop 1 Lodge: 4-5PM

•

• TOTAL Miles (Estimate): 9.5 Miles• Meals:

• Breakfast (Fordyce Creek)• Lunch (South Fork Yuba)• Early Dinner (Auburn – Fast Food)