Et cetera : Vinton\'s Boy Scout Troop Headed West

Pawnee Pass Dan Hill, Tim H, John E, Matt L, Peyton B, front: Andrew S, Austin B

Troop 47 at Pawnee Lake campsite a stop on their trip: Matt, Tim, Austin, Andrew, John, Peyton

Jay Lash, Peyton B, Mark Anderson, Austin B, Andrew S, John E, Matt L, Tim H, Dan Hill, Freedom Rock

Tim H, Peyton B, Dan Hill, John E, Austin B, Jay Lash,Matt L, Andrew S

Preparing Dinner:Dan Hill, John E, Peyton B, Andrew S (behind Peyton), Matt L, Austin B, Tim H

IPW hike track - Map of our backpacking route

In early August six Scouts and three leaders from Vinton's Boy Scout Troop 47 headed west for a week in the mountains. Our first night in the mountains was at Camp Dick, a US Forest Service campground about 25 miles south of Estes Park, Colorado. Here we did a bit of fishing, had a steak dinner over the campfire and made final preparations for the first part of the adventure: backpacking in the Roosevelt National Forest.

The next morning we drove up the mountain to the trail head where we shouldered our packs and headed out. About five miles and 2000 vertical feet later we had made it to the top of Pawnee Pass. The trail up was not particularly steep but at 12,550 feet, it was quite a challenge for us "flat landers" (Vinton is at 842 feet). The remaining mile to our first camp was, as the saying goes, "all down hill from there".

On day two we hiked about three miles to our next camp at Crater Lake. Here we did some fishing (and caught a couple), did a bit of exploring and generally enjoyed the great outdoors for the rest of the day. The strenuous hikes and fresh mountain air had everyone heading for bed shortly after dark.

On day three we hiked back to Pawnee Lake for another night. This time we got there early enough to explore the area and do a little more fishing. Some of us even got in a short nap.

Day four it was up over the pass and back to civilization. We returned to Camp Dick for another good campfire dinner and final preparations for the next part of the adventure: climbing Longs Peak.

At 14,259 feet, Longs Peak is the tallest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. The route we took does not require special mountaineering equipment or skills, but that doesnt mean it is a walk on the Old Creamery Nature Trail. The "keyhole route" is 7.5 miles and 4850 vertical feet, each direction. Hikers are encouraged to start early to reach the summit and return to a safe elevation before the afternoon storms hit (dont want to be above tree line during a lightening storm).

Our hike began around 2am. Hiking by headlamp we didnt get to see anything until we got above tree line. Then the view above and below us opened up. The lights of the cities below were beautiful, but the skies held my attention. This was the morning of August 13, the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. We stood there along the trail by ourselves for nearly 10 minutes enjoying the view before moving on.

As we gained elevation the wind picked up; the higher we went, the stronger it got. By about 5am a combination of the early morning start and the previous days hikes had caught up with us. We sat down behind a rock, had some trail mix and watched the sun rise. We pushed on a bit farther but we had run out of steam and the wind was making it difficult even to stand up. We turned back just before the six mile point. After a shower, a meal and a little souvenir shopping in Estes Park, we started the long drive back home.

Note: "Freedom Rock" is located a bit west of Des Moines, off Interstate 80, exit 86 the link is www.the freedomrock.com

The photo of the hikers complete with backpacks, was taken at Indian Peaks Wilderness, Roosevelt National Forest.