Mt. Pacifico Advanced Backpack Trip and Philmont ShakedownClick for Details

WHEN: Saturday June 29 and Sunday June 30, 2019

WHERE: Sulphur Springs/Pinyon Flats to the peak of Mt. Pacifico in the Angeles National Forest. We will hike mostly on the classic Pacific Crest Trail, then hike cross country up the summit ridge to the peak. The Mt. Pacifico Trail Camp is right on the summit. In 2018 we hiked to Mt. Pacifico from the Angeles Forest Highway and Mill Creek, and hiked east on the PCT. This year we will access Mt. Pacifico from the Angeles Crest Highway, and hike west on the PCT.

DIFFICULTY/AVAILABILITY: This hike is about 6 miles each way, with an elevation gain of about 2200 feet. There is no water at camp. The dry camp factor will push the trip from a high intermediate to an advanced trip. This trip is primarily intended as a shakedown for our 2019 Philmont crews. Other advanced Troop 355 backpackers are also invited to attend. If you have not completed multiple backpack trips with Troop 355, we would ask that you wait until our fall backpack trip and join us on that one.

COST: $10 per hiker. Deadline to confirm your spot is Monday night, June 24. You can drop off or mail a check made out to BSA Troop 355 to Kelly Moffat, 2280 Adair Street, San Marino, CA 91108.

MEET: At Scout House at 6:30 AM on Saturday, June 29. We will divide troop gear and food then depart for the trailhead. The trip to the trailhead is about 1.5 hours. We should return to the trailhead Sunday morning by noon.

MEALS: Eat a big breakfast on Saturday morning before the trip. Otherwise you may bonk! Bonking is not cool, it hurts. Don’t bonk! Bring your own trail lunch Saturday, dinner will be provided Saturday night (Philmont style), bring your own breakfast bars, instant oatmeal, cocoa for Sunday’s breakfast. Saturday’s dinner will be prepared by individual crews. Crews will be announced prior to the trip by email.

SPECIAL NOTES: Mt. Pacifico is at 7100 feet, so it might be cold at night, be prepared with long johns and a beanie hat to sleep in, a good sleeping bag, a jacket and gloves. Of course always bring your rain gear! Bring bug repellent. And…bring toilet paper. BE PREPARED.

WATER: Again, this is a dry camp. Everyone will need to pack in all the water he will need for the whole trip, including a portion of the cooking water. We recommend that everyone pack in at least 7 liters of water (2 for the hike in, 1 for lunch/afternoon drinking, 1 for cooking, 1 for dinner/overnight drinking, 2 for the hike out). You can use extra nalgenes or platypus bottles to take your additional water, or store bought bottled water.

EQUIPMENT: Everyone attending this trip should be familiar with all the gear needed for the trip. To doublecheck, you can review the troop backpacking checklist on the Resources page of the troop website to make sure you have all the gear you will need.

Directions to the Trailhead: Take the 210 west to the Angeles Crest Highway 2 north. Drive approximately 9.3 miles and turn left at the Clear Creek Junction/Ranger Station onto the Angeles Forest Highway. Continue north on the Angeles Forest Highway for approximately 8.3 miles. Turn right at Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road. Travel approximately 9 miles on Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Rd, then turn left at the Angeles Crest Highway. Drive approximately 10.1 miles on Angeles Crest, then turn left on Santa Clara Divide Road (3N17). Travel 3.8 miles on 3N17 then bear right onto forest road 5N04. Follow this road 1.1 miles to its end, just past the junction with the PCT and the road to Sulphur Springs Campground. Park in the small parking lot near the gate – do not block the gate. We will carpool as much as possible – fill your car with scouts and backpacks. Any cars parking overnight will need a National Forest Adventure Pass available at your sporting goods store (REI, Big Five) – don’t forget to hang your Adventure Pass on your rear view mirror. Note: A portion of the Angeles Crest has been closed due to a landslide – the above directions are an alternate route that will avoid the closed section.