This is one of those Arizona gems that really makes a Scouting weekend fantastic. There are 2,700 cf of water per minute rushing out of the ground at Fossil Spring. It produces so much water that there was a discussion of constructing a hydroelectric dam to power the copper mines of Jerome.
The trail is 8.4 miles round trip. The elevation change from the trail head goes from 5,783’ at the parking area to 4,281’ at the spring, a difference of 1,502’. So you can anticipate some fairly steep ascents coming out but nothing anyone shouldn’t be able to do.
Itinerary:
- Saturday, October 17th 6:30 AM – Rally at Church for a 7:00 AM Departure
- Sunday, October 18th 1:00 PM – Return to Church
Wear Full Field Uniform (Class A) for traveling
Meal Planning:
- Saturday Breakfast: Eat at home
- Saturday Lunch: Pack a trail lunch and snacks
- Saturday Dinner: Patrols will coordinate
- Sunday Breakfast: Patrols will coordinate
- Sunday Trail: Bring trail snacks
Bring non-perishable food like Mountain House or oatmeal (nothing you’d refrigerate).
Packing:
- Backpack
- 10 Essentials (consult your Scout Handbook)
- Lightweight backpacking tent (see COVID-19 section below)
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Warm clothes (especially hat, gloves and jacket)
- Extra socks
- Backpacking stove with fuel
- Water bottle
- Eating kit: utensils/bowl
Water: Water is non-potable. The adult leaders will have filters but bring one if you have one.
Admin: Bring your signed troop permission slip to the Monday meeting along with $15 gas money.
Weather: The weather forecast calls for clear skies with highs in the mid 80s and lows in the upper 50s.
Backpacking Tips: 20% rule: Your backpack should weigh approximately 20% of your body weight. Footwear: Running shoes, especially trail runners with lots of cushion, are great. Foot care: Extra socks, moleskin and sports tape (leukotape) are mission critical
COVID-19
- Monitor Your Health: Monitor your health and stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to someone sick within the last 14 days.
- Higher Risk Individuals: Consider not coming if you or someone in your family unit is at higher risk for complications from COVID-19 (see CDC Statement on Higher Risk)
- Universal Source Control (face coverings): Wear cloth face coverings when social distancing is not possible e.g. when traveling in a car.
- Tenting: Scouts are permitted to tent alone. Sharing is permissible provided that both families agree and that there is no more than two years age difference.
Safety:
- Swimming: Scouts that wish to swim must be current with their swim check (within one year). Scouts are not permitted to swim without adult supervision. Swimming will be in the creek below the falls.
- Heat Stress: Highs should be in the mid 80’s on the hike in. We don’t anticipate this being an issue as we are hiking downhill. The camping area and springs are shaded. We’ll be hiking out first thing in the morning, when the temperatures will be cool.
Fire Restrictions: No fires are allowed in the Fossil Creek wilderness so only backpacking stoves.
More Information: Scouts can get additional information from their Patrol Leaders (who should have the information but can get from the Senior Patrol Leader if necessary).
