Level: Moderate/Strenuous
TRIP IS FULL -- NOT ACCEPTING ANY MORE SIGNUPS
When: Saturday 3/23/13 at 8:00am
Where: Top of Lake Ave at Loma Alta in Altadena
Miles: 11
Cost: No cost -- Bring own lunch and snacks
Return: 4:00pm
Details: Day hike to Inspiration Point and back. This 10-mile loop is a classic trek up the Lower and Middle Sam Merrill Trails which leads hikers up the steep slopes south-facing foothills into the cool, wooded forest overlooking our own Grand Canyon of the San Gabriels. Once on the north slope, a short traverse through shaded oaks and conifers leads to the historic Inspiration Point. On a clear day, you can look through 100-year old viewing tubes locating popular destinations in Southern California. Click on "Read More" for more information and sign ups...

The hike down will be through Castle Canyon, past Echo Mountain and back down Lower Sam Merrill Trail to the top of Lake Avenue. This hike will take the better part of the day and requires that every participant bring:

• 10 Essentials
• 3 quarts of water
• Lunch
• Trail mix and/or energy bars
• Light hikers or athletic shoes with aggressive tread -- no Vans or smooth-soled shoes.
• Important: No scout shall attend without their complete 10 Essentials!

We also require that everyone eat a healthy breakfast and drink at least 1 quart of water before arriving at the trail head.

Level: Moderate
April 12-14, 2013

3 Day Backpack to Hoegees > Idlehour > Henninger > Eaton Canyon
Approximate Total Miles: 20

Details: Friday afternoon, leave Chantry Flats trail head at 4pm, hike to Hoegees Camp (3 miles) and set up camp. Next morning leave Hoegees and hike to Idlehour Camp via Manzanita Ridge/Mt. Wilson Toll Rd (8.4 miles / add extra 3 miles RT if we summit Wilson). Sunday morning, leave Idlehour and hike down to Eaton Canyon to cars (6 miles). Click on "Read More" for more information and sign ups...

Level: Moderate
May 10-11, 2013
2 Day Backpack Mt. Wilson Trail to Mt. Wilson via Orchard Camp and back
Approximate Total Miles: 15
Details: Friday afternoon (Day 1), leave Sierra Madre at 4pm, hike to Orchard Camp (4 miles). Next morning (Day 2), hike up to Mt. Wilson via Manzanita Ridge and summit Mt. Wilson (3 miles); hike back down, (7 miles). Click on "Read More" for more information and sign ups...

Level: Easy/Moderate
TRIP COMPLETED -- Get the Trip Report Here
When: Friday-Saturday 2/22/13- 2/23/13; 3:45pm*
Where: Chantry Flats / Hoegees Camp
Total Miles & Difficulty: 6mi, easy to moderate
Cost: $8.00ea
Details: We will meet at the Chantry Flats lower parking lot at 3:45pm, hike into Hoegees via Lower Winter Creel Trail. Click on "Read More" for more information and sign ups..

On Saturday, we will hike back to the parking lot via Upper Winter Creek Trail.

Return: Chantry Flats, Lower parking lot at 11:00am.

Directions to Chantry: From Interstate 210 in Arcadia, exit at Santa Anita Ave. and go north 6 miles to the Chantry Flats.

More information on Hoegees Camp click here

*Trip details are subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances such as weather

Level: Moderate
CANCELED DUE TO RAIN & SNOW!
The weather forecast calls for rain and snow in the Mt. Wilson region through Saturday. We will reschedule this trip. I will keep you posted.
When: Friday-Sunday, March 8-10 @ 3:45pm*
Where: Chantry Flats / Hoegees / Henninger / Eaton Canyon
Total Miles: 14+
Cost: $25.00ea (Covers all meals including dinner the first night)
Permission Slip: Download here>>, print, sign bring with you
Number of Backpackers Limited to: 12 (4 slots remaining as of 3/2/13)
Details:*  There are sections that are not easy and is best suited for scouts with some hiking or backpacking experience. Mileage will be fairly high Saturday, where we will be covering about 11 miles, 8 of which are downhill. Click on "Read More" for more information and sign ups...

Due to the mileage of this two-night trip, a backpack shakedown is required prior to leaving. Date, time and location TBA.

If you want to get a head start on what to bring, click on the Backpacking Checklist>>. Remember your base weight (everything but food, fuel and water) should weigh 20lbs or less. On our last backpack, the scout's packs averaged 17lbs each! The temperature low was 38° and the high was 66°. Everyone was warm and dry.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet at Chantry Flats lower parking lot at 3:45pm. Hike into Hoegees Camp via Lower Winter Creek Trail (2 mi).
Day 2: Saturday, hike to Henninger Flats via Upper Winter Creek Trail and Mt. Wilson Toll Road (11 mi).
Day 3: Sunday, return via Toll Road to Eaton Canyon at the Overflow dirt parking lot at the south end of the park (3 mi)

Est. Arrival to Eaton Canyon Overflow Parking Lot: 12:00PM Sunday

*Trip details are subject to change

Important -- Please Read!The Troop 4 Backpacking Program is open to all qualified scouts and ASMs. Minimum qualification includes all 2nd year Scouts or older, and ASMs who have attending at least one of the T4 Backpacking 101 Workshops. Some high adventure trips may require additional training and/or qualification.

Red Cross, Wilderness First Aid Training
Cost: $160
TRIP COMPLETED
Where: Gould Mesa Campground
Details: Meet at approximately 4:30pm Friday the 15th in Altadena trail head

We are backpacking in 2 miles along the Arroyo Seco Friday evening and spending Saturday working on skills/certification. We plan to finish Saturday at around 6PM.

As of 3/11/13, the forecast is calling for temperatures in the high 80s with lows in the 50s. Should be nice enough to "cowboy camp."

About The Instructor:
Alan Halcon of dirtime.com has been teaching wilderness survival for many years and have traveled the US teaching Wilderness First Aid and survival skills. He co-owns Dirttime.com, along with Christopher Nyerges (author of several books on survival and wild plants), John McCann (author, "Build the Perfect Survival Kit" and "Stay Alive"), and Dude McLean. Alan is currently a Sergeant and trainer on a Search and Rescue team...

...with the California State Military Department, where he is also a certified Combat Lifesaver instructor. In addition, Alan is a certified CERT instructor, Red Cross First-Aid/CPR instructor, and Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Instructor.

Alan’s classes are different than most in that all of the training takes place outdoors. He understands that many trainers split their time between indoor classroom time and outdoor class room time. He believes in immersing the student right from the beginning, so they can get all of their senses involved at one time.

Aside from the Wilderness First Aid, Alan will also cover some basic survival skills, such as making fire, by rubbing sticks together, as well as other fire-making devices. Students will also practice fire making skills using only one hand (injury simulation). They will identify and collect useful and edible plants, make cordage from plants, purify water by primitive means and make immediate action shelters.