Mission Peak Backpacking Overnight

The Troop has hiked Mission Peak many times before.  After all, it's a Rim of the Bay hike!  So, we do it every two to three years no matter what.  This time was different.  This time we decided to backpack the peak!

On our last visit to the peak we noticed that there was a campground listed on the map and made a point to stay there the next time we assaulted the mountain.  Now, all of the Rimrovers peaks are tough climbs and Mission Peak is no exception.  It is 2000 feet of climbing in 3 miles of distance.  The day hike version of the climb can be all a new scout can handle.  Adding a full backpack to the mix would mean that this would be one of the toughest outings, if not THE toughest outing of the year!

The trip down was done in the standard Troop 134 fashion.  We missed the exit for Highway 37 for the third time in a row and had to backtrack.  On arrival to the Stanford Road parking lot, we found that the reports that parking was scarce were 100% accurate!  In a lucky stroke, by the time we finished unloading the backpacks, all three troop vehicles had found a parking spot.

After a brief break to refill water bottles, we started up the trail.  By lunch, we realized that the trail we had taken was the wrong one!  This wasn't a disaster.  There are two trails to the top and we had taken the left fork and not the right.  In end, we found that this might have been a better route.  It was slightly longer, so it wasn't quite so steep which was good as a couple of the scouts and a couple of the leaders were lagging behind the main group.  The gentler slope may have helped them.

Upon reaching the Eagle Springs Backpack Camp, we discovered that the drinking water listed on the map is marked at the pump as being untreated! Luckily, We had a filter pump for just such a chance, but it meant pumping all of the water we would use for the day.

It was while we were pumping water for the first time, we were approached by some hikers.  One of their party had collapsed on the trail.  We quizzed them and found that they had called 911 and were doing CPR. We told them that they were doing everything right and we really couldn't do anymore to help than they were doing already.  A short time later, the paramedics and ambulance arrived and transported the victim.  It really sank home the reason we practice first-aid!

As evening approached the Troop hiked the last half mile to the peak and watched the sun go down.  With the wind getting chill, we retreated to camp and our tents.  After the difficult hike, and with dark coming early, I didn't have to tell the scouts to go to bed.  They were already there.

The next morning, we rose early and started down the trail we were supposed to have taken the previous day.  It was magical.  The fog had moved in and we were walking into then clouds!  We did find the old advice that going down is harder than hiking up was true!  Most of the boys were also happy that we didn't have to hike up the steeper trail we took down the hill. Hiking down was bad enough!  Everyone made it back to the vehicles though and we turned north and headed home.  Mission (Peak) accomplished!

Lessons Learned: Stanford Road Parking is Drinking Water is listed on the map but is untreated.  The Horse Heaven / Peak Meadow trails are less traveled but steep.

Participants: Owen, Donte, Bryce, Gerrit, Brian, Joey, Joseph, Ben, Stirling, Angelo

Leaders: Ms. Lara, Mr. Lococo, Mr. Valdelomar, Mr. Seitz, Mr. Polkinghorn