February 16-18 – Inyo Craters Snowshoe Camping
In preparation for our backpacking trip into the snow, we started before Christmas and made our own snowshoes of wood and leather
strappings. Leaving Santa Barbara on Friday with three leaders and seven scouts we made our way up Highway 395 stopping in
Bishop where we spent the night in a church. Saturday morning, geared up at the trail head with warm clothing, backpacks and our
new snowshoes, scouts and leaders both headed uphill toward the Craters. It was sunny morning with a very blue sky and partially
up the trail it was warm enough to strip oA the outer jackets. Finding a great spot, we set up camp by digging out where the kitchen,
tents and fire would be located. After a cozy night sleep in our tents and a breakfast of oatmeal and dried fruit, the camp packed up,
we continued up the hill to the Inyo Craters. The two southern craters are 660 feet in diameter and over 200 feet deep with lakes in
the bottom. It was fun experiencing the results of the volcanic explosion with all the other scouts. Hiking out that same day, we came
across a dog sled team and the we were given banana bread which was a great way to end our trip. Jack G.
