Planning your Outing A Guide for Success

Why Go Camping We don’t join just to quit If a boy camps less than 1 night each two months (<6 nights per year) he has a 5.2% chance of lasting 2 years in T474 If a boy camps more than 2 nights every two months (> 12 night per year) he has a 79.1% chance of lasting 2 years in T474 If a boy goes on a 50 miler he has a 100% chance of lasting 4 years, 75.5% will stay until they’re 18, 64.4% will get Eagle 80% of the boys who summit Rainier will get Eagle

Outings The GOAL of the outing is not to have FUN FUN is the RESULT of a well planned outing. PLANNING is the key (fish lk)

Planning

How To Select Places To Hike Adventure to places you have not been Walk the ridge tops Go fishing in high mountain lakes Swim in a lonely mountain lake How many places can you visit

First Step Answer some basic questions Is it an overnight trip? Will you backpack in? What season is it? What is the difficulty Who will be going

Where are you going? Backpacking (once per month min) Car Camp Use your resources –Hiking books –My list –www –Maps –Friends –Troop Photo site

Finding Information Web sites Library books Maps Word of mouth Past troop outings Magazines

Books

Web Sites –Washington Trails Association –V-Trail –National Park Service –Nature of the NW –Forest Service

The trail begins with a short climb to the flat bottomed valley of Box Creek. This charming creek provides an endless display of waterfalls and pools to delight the senses. The trail is good along the valley floor - some creek crossings may be troublesome in high water. Also of note are several expanses of brush which can tower over the trail in midsummer. At about 1.5 miles a nice cascade of the river over smooth slabs makes a good rest spot - this far is an excellent hike for those with young children. At about 2 miles the first big brush patch in encountered, with views up to Hibox mountain. At roughly 3 miles the pleasant stroll ends and the work begins. Thus far the trail has only climbed 700' in 3 miles. It sets out to get the remaining 1200' in about 1.5 miles, up a rooty, rocky boot path, at times itself a creek. About 1/2 way up this grueling climb is a large, pretty cascade which makes for a convenient rest stop. Finally, after much more sweat and effort, the way tops out in the steep-walled basin of beautiful Rachel Lake. Plenty of campsites and a privy for overnighters, as well as excellent explorations. See guide entry for Rampart Ridge Explorations for more details. [edit]edit Driving Directions: Drive I-90 to the Stampede Pass/Lake Kachess exit miles east of Snoqualmie Pass. Turn north and drive 5 miles to the Lake Kachess CG, then turn left for 4 mi on Box Canyon Road #4930, then left for again for.2 mi to TH. Trailpark Pass required. [edit]edit Statistics Distance: 8 mi r/t Time: 4-6h r/t Elevation Gain in: 1900 ft Elevation Gain out: 0 ft Trailhead Elevation: 2800 ft Maximum Elevation: 4700 ft Trails (Click for reports) RACHEL LK #1313 RACHEL LK #1313 Suggested Seasons Summer Fall Users Hikers Climbers Author's Ratings Usage: Over-used Difficulty: More Difficult Rating: Pretty good Attractions Basins Campsites Lakes River Falls Maps & Books USGS Snoqualmie Pass Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass Written by Marmot Oct 19, 1997

Primary Outing Information Outing Questions you need to answer What type of outing is it (backpack, day hike, snow shoe, winter hike, car camp, rock climb, rock hound, canoe trip, etc.) ? –This is determined by the hike length, difficulty, season of the year, location who is and going –Once the outing type is determine you look for a place to go. Use common sense. Look at a large area first and then start narrowing it down by using seasons, elevations, terrain, distance to trail etc. What is the name of the destination for the outing? –Name of lake, stream, recreation area, hot spring, mountain, etc goes here. –Use books and maps to find the specifics Where is the trailhead located? –If it is near a town or city; Give description of direction and miles from i.e., like 2 mi east of Gold Bar or at Snoqualmie Pass Is this in a wilderness area, National Park, etc.? –What forest, National Park, Wilderness area will you be camping in? –Look on the map for the boundaries. –You can also call the F.S or N.P.S if you are not sure. Which map are you using? –Use web sites, hike books or map index to determine this. Be specific. –Which map and what is the name of the map you are using, i.e. USGS Snoqualmie Pass or Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass #139 What is the difficulty of the hike? –Use hike books, web site or personal experience from a previous visit –Elevation gain of 1000 ft/mi for 2 miles would be strenuous

How do you get there? –What highway do you take to get there? –What is the Forest or Park road number do you turn off on? –What is the driving mileage to trailhead? What is the elevation gain? _____ elevation loss? ______ –Use maps, web sites or hike books to determine What is the campsite size? –How many tents can fit in the space, 12 people will take 4 to 6 tents. You want something flat and clear that is 100 feet from water if possible. –Books and online resources are good for this Is there a water supply at the destination? Along the way? –Look on the map or use hike book Is there a group size limit? –This is determined by the agency in charge i.e. F.S, N.P.S., BLM, Private owner –Wilderness areas have a limit of 12 people Are fires permitted? –This is determined by the ranger district or Park Service. In most wilderness areas assume that no camp fires allowed –Some National forests will allow fires in lowlands but you have to call just before the outing. Is a backcountry permit required? –Use the online sites or call the F.S. or N.P.S. Are there trailhead permits required? –Use web site, hike books or call to determine this. –You can also call the F.S or N.P.S if you are not sure Is there an entrance fee? –Use web site, hike books or call to determine this. –You can also call the F.S or N.P.S if you are not sure Additional Information You Need To Know

Location Pick a spot Pass it by your Patrol Dad, ASPL, Mr. B, etc. Answer the questions on the form (distance, elevation, elevation gain, trail conditions, etc.)

Patrol’s Job: 3 months before: pick a spot and get the info on the web PLAN the outing Work with ASPL Activities Send summary to ASPL & Mr. B There is NO value in waiting until the last minute, only downside

Forms / Paperwork Planning form Sign up sheet Permission slip Reservations Tour Permits Parking permits

Basic Details Who can go, who is in charge What is the activity? (backpacking, how many miles, car camp, bike trip, overnight…) When: date, time, duration Where is the location, driving time, etc. How do they sign up? Are there prerequisites, etc.

Quitting is not an option Rangers may discourage you because you are a boy Obstacles are normal, not an exception “how can I make this work?” Advance planning makes it so much easier

Most common mistakes Waiting till the last minute Taking the first “NO” as bible Not getting others involved to help you Not getting info out to the troops WAY in advance

Success The key to a successful outing is good planning.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE HERE OR…

DO SOME PLANNING AND YOU COULD BE AT A PLACE LIKE THIS

Questions?

1 Washington Trails association 2 V-Trail 3 National Park Service Information Links 5 U.S Forest Service 4 Nature of the Northwest Photos: Upper Tank Lake (Necklace Valley) Three Fingers Lookout (Glacier Peak Area) Rampart Ridge (Snoqualmie Pass) Otter Falls (Taylor River Road) Lake Ivanhoe (Dutch Miller Gap) Lower Robin Lake (Alpine Lakes Wilderness)