Marching Outing – Backpacking Trip or Camping
Come join us on an exciting outing where you can spend a weekend backpacking Fossil Springs or camping near Strawberry Arizona. A backpacker is an essential outing that every Boy Scout should have the opportunity to go on. 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 steep ascents coming out but nothing anyone shouldn’t be able to do. If you don’t want to participate in the backpacking trip, there is an option for scouts to camp for one night near the trailhead, where scouts can continue to fine tune their scouting skills, learn the patrol method, and enjoy some regular camping fun.
Saturday, March 22nd
- 8:00 AM Rally at Church for a 8:30 AM departure
- 10:30 AM Arrival at Bob Bear Trailhead #18 (formerly Fossil Springs)
Sunday, March 23rd
- 8:30 AM – Start hike back to trailhead
- 10:30 AM – Trailhead Gathering
- 12:30 PM – Estimated return to Church
Please wear Full Field Uniform (Class A) for traveling. You should have your medical forms turned in (A & B).
Weather Forecast: The exact weather is not quite available yet, but plan for cooler temperatures at night. Average highs in the upper 50s and lows in the lower 30s, last year it rained at night and frosted in the morning.
Backpacking Details:
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).
Lodging: Patrols will coordinate tenting assignments. Tents are generally lightweight and 1 or 2 man tents coordinating who will pack down the tent is essential.
Packing List: Backpacking is all about weight and you will need to pay specific attention to what you bring and how much it weighs. 20% rule: Your backpack should weigh approximately 20% of your body weight.
- Backpack (proper fitting pack, 50L size)
- 10 Essentials (consult your Scout Handbook)
- Lightweight backpack tent, hammock, cover
- Sleeping Bag
- Lightweight Sleeping Pad & Pillow
- Nonperishable food (Mountain House Meals, snacks)
- Warm clothes (especially hat, gloves and jacket)
- Extra socks, moleskin and sports tape (leukotape) are mission critical
- Proper Hiking Boots
- Backpacking stove with fuel (jetboil)
- Water bottle
- Eating kit: utensils/bowl
The water at the falls is non-potable, the adults will have water filters, but bring one if you have one.
Camping Details:
Meal Planning:
Saturday Breakfast: Eat at home
Saturday Lunch: Pack a simple patrol lunch and snacks
Saturday Dinner: Patrols will coordinate
Sunday Breakfast: Patrols will coordinate
Those who are not backpacking with the troop will be car camping within a few miles of the trailhead. So don’t let that stop you from coming on this outing
Lodging: Patrols will coordinate tenting assignments.
Packing List: Check out our full list of camping / packing supplies on our website: https://troop818.com/
Remember to Be Prepared when packing.
