Right in our backyard starting at the Cold Spring trail, the hike into Forbush and Cottam camp was the opposite of the Jesusita trek we took a few weeks earlier. Instead of gaining in elevationon the way out, the Cottam camp is downhill 1075 feet into a valley. Mr. Scholl and Mr. Hey accompanied eleven scouts over the Cold Spring saddle down into the Santa Ynez River Fault. The fault is 80 miles long and experienced seismic activity over five million years ago. With a careful eye in the valley, many fossils could be seen embedded in the rock. Forbush Flat meadow was once the home of Frederick Forbush who in 1910 built a cabin in the area. He also planted olive, apple and pear trees. In the spring the pear trees can be seen in bloom and it is told that they still bear fruit over 100 years later. Likewise, the Cottam Camp was first used by two brothers, Albert and Russel Cottam who built a cabin and corrals in 1915 and established a pack station for taking hunters and fishermen into the back country for sport.
It was easy sailing down the trail on the way out with our loaded packs. Some of the scouts determined that the best part of the trip was swimming in the water followed by a hot plate of spaghetti and meatballs under the large oak trees. New skills were gained including learning how to use a Whisper Lite Stove and we were able to add hiking mileage and camping trips toward our merit badges. It was also fun to meet up with another troop of scouts along the way. The return trip, even with lightened packs was much more difficult and going forward, perhaps we should train better for that portion of the trek. It was a positive experience and the consensus is that we should do it again next year. Jack G.
