Text Box: On May 15-16, an average kid would be up watching cartoons, eating cereal, and having a relaxing day. Not the rough and ready scouts of Troop 680. On Saturday, nearly forty scouts, many on their first backpack, got up at 5:30 to meet in the church parking lot at 6:00. When we were all at the parking lot, Nathan Chambers was challenged to name all of the scouts and their parents who were in a circle. He did well, only missing one or two names. Trek leader, Jeff Mihalik, handed out directions, and we were off. At the trail head, some of the adults helped to adjust packs for the younger scouts. After about fifteen minutes of hiking, we stopped Text Box: to have a layers break. We continued on, and stopped to have a rest in a shady glen. There, we also split into two tiers. Scouts Star and above in one, and the younger scouts in the other. The first tier set off, and then the second followed. After about three hours of hiking, the second group arrived at Fisherman’s Camp for lunch. The older group, which had been waiting for an hour already, set off soon after the second group arrived. After they ate lunch, the second group was ready to set off, but was delayed by medical difficulties. Luckily, a troop from Solana Beach had a doctor with them and he provided assistance. Finally, Text Box: The San Mateo Wilderness Backpack Text Box: Page # Text Box: with a peremptory shout of “Packs on!” we moved out. The groups reunited at the camping ground and set up tents. There was less poison oak than anticipated. On the bad side, the falls had been reduced to a mere trickle. Some of the older scouts had brought pumps and pumped water. At around 5:00, cooking groups started to set up on the rocks near the falls. Foods ranged from real spaghetti, to bacon cheeseburgers, to mashed potatoes, to meatball sandwiches. The next morning, scouts woke up early and headed out along the winding road. We made good time, and arrived at the trail head by noon. -Jeff Mihalik Text Box: TRAILS&TRACKS

The Corner Of Lord Ha-Ha