For our first (and maybe last) Philmont training hike, we hooked up with troop 782 for a weekend at Mt. Wilson. The forecast going in was for some rain and probably cold and maybe windy at the summit. We didn't cancel since we figured it wouldn't be too bad. Both troops met at our church and we loaded gear and scouts quickly so we could make it up there before the gate was locked. After fighting traffic and accidents, we made to Chantry Flats road gate with 10 minutes to spare; the police car was standing by to lock it as well! At the parking lot, we arranged group gear and food. Then it is was off for a 3 mile night hike to Hoegee's camp. The moon provided some nice light but the trail is very wooded so it was a bit spooky walking it. Camp was pretty crowded mainly with other scouts but a few other groups as well. A few of us cowboy camped but I was awakened around 4am by sprinkling on my face. I made the decision to put up my tarp and went back to sleep. Some of the scouts didn't put up shelters and woke up a bit wet.
The next morning was overcast as we ate breakfast, drank coffee and packed up for the hike to the summit. Shortly after starting out, it started to rain lightly. As we made our way up the steep trail, it rained harder and harder. By the time we got to the road, we were all in full rain gear. The summit was socked in and we couldn't even see across the parking lot. We decided to bail and thankfully another scout and his family had driven up and were able to give us a hitch back to Chantry Flats. After several hours of shuttling and rescuing another hiker, we finally headed back to Encinitas.
It was a great hike to test out gear and I can't wait to get up there again so I can see what it looks like!
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| Hoegee's camp |
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| Raining at the bench |
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