Anza Borrego - Campout

Outline by Assistant Scoutmaster - Tom S.

3/28/2008 - 3/29/2008

The warm desert air and a star-filled night sky greeted Troop 618 Friday night as 17 scouts and 7 adults made the annual trek to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Arriving about 8:30 PM the scouts had tents up and lights out by 11 PM.

We awoke at dawn to a beautiful sunrise and a gorgeous day. After cooking breakfast in their patrol groups, the scouts loaded up with sunscreen and water bottles to head off in search of the famed Palm Canyon oasis hidden up a rocky trail about 2.5 miles into the mountains. We reached the waterfall by mid morning and everyone celebrated by performing the traditional head dunk under the crisp cool water tumbling down through the rocks above us.

On the way back down the trail we heard persistent rumors from hikers that a group of big horn sheep had been spotted grazing along the steep canyon walls. Sure enough, a short time later we spotted a ram with huge horns guarding two pregnant females on the rocks above us. The sheep are a rare site, so our troop was lucky to get a chance to see them. As we stood gazing up from the trail below, the three then proceeded to prance down the rocky slope to run right across the trail not 20 yards away from us! They wanted to drink from the stream which ran down along the canyon trail. What a memorable experience!

On the return to camp we met Eric Halvorsen who joined up with us for lunch. Then we made a trip into the town of Anza Borrego for a stop at the ice cream store before heading out in an attempt to locate the mysterious Slot Canyon in the desert to the east of town. After an intense search with a missed turn or two we found the dirt road leading up the top of the canyon. It is a deep, narrow ravine created by flash flooding over the centuries. After climbing down 50 feet into the mini abyss, we followed the narrow gully pathway - sometimes having to twist sideways and slide - to fit through the tight spaces. The late afternoon sunlight illuminating the formations on the rocky walls was wonderful.

After returning to the cars we headed back to camp where we learned from the park rangers that 35 MPH winds were forecasted later that night with rain possible. After conferring about the impact of high winds and rain on sleep, tents and equipment we decided that restraint was the better part of valor. We had dinner, packed up all our gear and departed by 9:30 PM for our return to Orange County.

Altogether it was a fun, safe and exciting weekend for the troop. Thanks to all the scouts and dads who attended!

Tom Stites
Assistant Scoutmaster