September 26-28, 2025
Troop 1 is headed to the Shining Rock wilderness area the weekend of September 26-28. This is a great area for hiking and backpacking. View photos from our 2014 trip on Smugmug.
We will be base camping at Graveyard Fields right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway on Friday and Saturday night. On Saturday morning we will travel to the Art Loeb trail head at Black Balsom and hike about a 12 mile round trip out to Shining Rock where you will have the opportunity to take in views that are out of this world. We will have a picnic lunch on top of the Shining Rock. Our return trail from the rock will land us back in Graveyard Fields.
You will need your own backpacking stove and method of purifying water 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. The troop will cover supper Friday night en route and a well deserved stop for late breakfast/early lunch in civilization Sunday morning. Remember that synthetic clothing is always better than cotton on a Fall Backpacking trip.
Base camp will be fairly close (< 1/2 mile) to the parking area down in a valley and a backpack would be very helpful but not absolutely required. If you have not made that purchase we can try to find you 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 by the September 22nd scout meeting. There will be a $25 fee for everyone.
Packing List:
Light weight stove (or make arrangements to share)
Good hiking shoes and socks
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
Lightweight shelter (Scouts should share and plan in advance).
Water filter or tablets (may share, make arrangements in advance)
Cookware
Food
Sleeping pad (optional)
Flash light
Bio degradable soap (cleaning dishes, may get at WalMart)
Toiletries, TP
Compass
Fire starter (not everyone needs this)
Sample menu:
Saturday morning- Add water grits or oatmeal, breakfast bar, hot chocolate (Plan on heating water with your backpacking stove.)
Saturday Lunch- Trail mix or jerky. Tuna Wrap Candy bar and fruit.
Saturday Supper- Jerky or country ham to be boiled, instant mash potatoes, dehydrated soup, ramen noodles. Freeze dried entrée.
Sunday Morning- Something quick and easy like poptarts to tide you over till we stop for something bigger and better on the way home.