Hiking Merit Badge: 10 Mile Hike #2Inspiration Point – Click for Details

On Saturday June 15 Troop 355 will be offering a 10 Mile Hike to Inspiration Point. This will count as one of the three 10 mile hikes required for the Hiking MB. We will meet at 6:15 a.m. at the top of Lake Street in Altadena (where Lake meets Loma Alta). We should return to the trailhead around 12:30 p.m. – hikers who are being picked up can call a parent on the way down the mountain with a more precise pickup time.

This hike will take us up past Echo Mountain – we will hike up the historic (and steep) Castle Canyon trail, to the site of the famous Inspiration Point lookout. We will descend via the Sam Merrill ridge trail, and then complete our hike by hiking down the Echo trail back to the trailhead at Top of Lake. We will gain over 2500 feet of elevation on the way to Inspiration Point.

If you have only done 5 mile hikes with the troop in the past (like at Kern and CCV), please note that a 10 mile hike will be much tougher and more demanding. This is a fairly difficult hike – the first 5 miles is all uphill and the Castle Canyon portion is steep and rugged. If you are in good hiking condition and want to earn the Hiking MB, or just wish to do a 10 mile hike with the troop, feel free to join us.

Every hiker should bring their 10 essentials. Water (2.5 to 3 liters recommended) and sun protection will be especially important. Bring trail snacks and/or a light lunch. Good hiking boots are strongly recommended. Bring your compass (and map if you have one), as we will be working on our navigation skills during the hike.

Have a great week, and we hope to see you on Saturday!

Mr. Hollis and Mr. Moffat
Troop 355 Hiking MB Counselors