Troop 1 Mountain Backpacking Weekend
November 5-7, 2021
Troop 1 is headed to the Jones Gap State Park for 2 nights of camping and a day hike to see the Rainbow Waterfall and Jones Gap Waterfall. It is 1 hour from the Advent, and a 1/2-mile hike to the campsite so we should be able to pitch tents and cook dinner before the sun goes down. The troop will provide steaks and hamburgers on Friday night. Only 20 spots available so please sign up ASAP.
On Saturday we will hike to the waterfalls. Overall we will hike about 8 miles round trip. This will be an opportunity for those who need Cooking and the 1st years to work on their Camping Merit Badge.
You will need your own backpacking stove or make arrangements to use someone else’s. You will be responsible for your own food for all meals on Saturday and a quick snack Sunday morning. We will stop for breakfast Sunday morning. Remember that synthetic clothing is always better than cotton on a fall backpacking trip.
The camp site will be fairly close (< 1/2 mile) to the parking area and a backpack would be very helpful but not absolutely required. If you have not made that purchase; try to find a loaner. You will also need a day pack (book bag type) for the hike on Saturday to carry your lunch, water, and clothing layers.
We will plan to leave the scout hut Friday at 4:00 traveling by church bus. We should return to the scout hut on Sunday about noon. Please register for this trip ASAP by the October 10th. There will be a $25 fee for everyone to cover campsite, dinner Friday & breakfast Sunday.
Jones Gap is in a quiet mountain cove nestled into the Blue Ridge Escarpment in northern Greenville County. As you approach the park, the surrounding mountains loom bigger and bigger, and you will realize what a beautiful destination you chose. You will hear a flowing river and be surrounded by mountains while you enjoy the hike. Jones Gap is run by South Carolina State Parks system and is part of the larger Mountain Bridge Wilderness. The Middle Saluda River is the centerpiece for the park. With over 3,000 acres, Jones Gap State Park is home to hundreds of plant species, some of them rare. It also houses some state record trees and should be the perfect setting for a great backpacking trip.
Packing List: – Please put your Scouts’ name in all their clothes & gear!
Good hiking shoes and socks
Light weight stove (or make arrangements to share)
Rain gear
Day Pack for the hike to hold your lunch, water, raingear, etc.
Layer your outer ware
Gloves and warm head gear
Camera (optional)
Warm sleeping bag
Water Bottle – please bring them filled, but we will have additional water
Tent
Cookware
Food
Sleeping pad
Flashlight!!!!!!!
Toiletries – there are bathrooms ¼ mile from campsite
Compass
Sample menu:
Saturday breakfast- instant grits or oatmeal, breakfast bar, hot chocolate (Plan on heating water with your backpacking stove.) fruit
Saturday lunch- trail mix or jerky. Peanut butter/ jelly sandwich, Candy bar, and fruit.
Saturday Supper- Jerky, instant mash potatoes, dehydrated soup, ramen noodles. Freeze dried entrée.
Sunday Morning- Something quick and easy like pop-tarts to tide you over till we stop for something bigger and better on the way home.
[November 4, 2021, update: Registration for Jones Gap is now closed.]