Noble Canyon Backpack

At around 6:15 on a Saturday morning, a group of barely awake scouts and sleepy adults drinking coffee left for a 10 mile beginner backpacking hike in Noble Canyon. The drive to the trailhead was not that bad, about an hour and a half.

After our convoy stopped and parked, we began our hike. Even though this was a beginner hike, there were still quite a few older boys (and Ventures) on it. The scenery surrounding the trail was beautiful.

We made good time on the trail and stopped for lunch. After enjoying a relaxed 45 minute lunch under a group of trees, we departed for our campsite.

Upon reaching the campsite the troop camped at last year, we discovered that the campsite was filled with flammable weeds and grasses. Knowing we could not camp on the grasses or cook on them for fear of a fire, we scouted out the trail ahead.  Within a half of a mile, we found a small area of rocky ground practically on the trail. We decided that this was good enough and pitched 15 tents on either side of the trail.

After dinner ranging from bacon cheeseburgers to Mountain House, we pitched our tents and enjoyed jokes and skits that scouts and adults performed. After the skits, we retired for the night. Morning arose quickly and we had breakfast, packed up our tents, and hit the trail.

The second day of hiking went smoothly. We switched some newer scouts into the trail leader position so they could complete some requirements for rank advancement. We finished the hike with no deaths or injuries at around 1:00 in the afternoon. After Thorns and Roses, we retreated to our cars where we drove back home. I would recommend this hike to any scout or adult.

By Nick Chambers