Trip Report: Grayson Highlands Backpacking 2020

August 26, 2020 Caleb M.

AT Backpacking, Trip Report, Truck-In Camping

See accompanying write up for the Truck-In group

On August 22 and 23 a group of backpackers went on a hike at Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. Another group went as well, but they went on a truck-in camp out.

The truck-in people set up their camp once they got there. After that they got busy with requirements and other activities. They also went on two different day hikes. Dylan L. led the campfire for the truck-in group. Then in the morning Tanner M. led the church service for the truck-in attendees. (my younger brother attended this part of the trip)

The hike was a 9 miles round trip. The hike was really fun. The hikers got to see many wild ponies and wild cows. After about a mile we stopped and ate lunch on the rock. Half way through the hike we took a break and did a few orientation requirements with Mr. Smith. Then we started hiking again after a nice break and lesson. We learned leave no trace , and many scouts had opportunity to work on several different requirements for both advancements and merit badges. We had elevation changes , and multiple water crossing both with and without bridges.

We learned how to pump and filter our water to make it clean and drinkable. Then we stopped and took a break before we headed up the big hill. After we made it up the hill we were right next to the campsite. Once we made it to the campsite everyone set up their dining fly , tents and hammocks. Then we made dinner as it was pouring. Then it stopped raining and we had a nice campfire led by Bennet S..

We all woke up in the morning and packed up. Then we started to hike after we had a good breakfast. On the way back Caleb M. led the church service for the backpackers. A good ways into our hike we stopped and at lunch. It was an easy and quick lunch so we could get back on the trail. After we made it back we met with the truck-in campers and headed home.

Overall the troop 48 Grayson Highlands trips was a great success.

Trip Report: Grayson Highlands Truck In 2020

August 26, 2020 Austin and Andrew P.

Trip Reports

Trip Report, Truck-In Camping

See accompanying report for the backpacking group.

On August 22 and 23 many members of Troop 48 traveled to Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia for a truck-in camp out. Another group went backpacking at the same park.

Once we arrived near the camp store at the group camp site everyone got busy setting up their tents and our two combined patrol cooking sites. After we got settled in we ate our packed lunches and headed out to Massie Gap where small groups hiked around the area. Some choose to hike up to the rock formations where there was blueberry picking on the hike up and some wild ponies near the rocks. Other groups choose to hike to the waterfalls which was more challenging but impressive after all the rain recently. We met back at camp at about 5 o’clock for dinner and a planned campfire.

Dinner was enjoyed by all even though it did start pouring. For the most part, our food stayed dry. The rain did not stop our troop campfire, lead by Dylan Lawrence, it just meant we met around a fireless campfire. We had skits, played games, and listened to a dramatic reading of The Raven before turning in for the night.

The next morning everyone got up, ate breakfast and we had a church service, lead by Tanner Mims. The camp was cleaned up, some people headed back home and some went off for short hikes near the visitor center. We met back at camp for lunch where we met up with the backpacking group before finally breaking camp and making sure we left no trace before leaving.

Overall, a great time was spent together at Grayson Highlands State Park.