Our backpacking trip into the Los Padres National Forest north of Santa Barbara began at the trailhead after a 90-minute drive north of Santa Barbara. Mr. Hey reported that we scouts provided him, Mr. Longo and Mr. Picotte with enjoyable company in the back country. More importantly, we are grateful for the time and commitment given to us by our leaders for all the preparation, time spent at meetings, signing off of merit badges and hours and weekends spent at outings. Without their dedication, there would be no scouts.
The up-and-down 14.5-mile out-and-back hike was completed by three leaders and twelve scouts, some of whom had never hiked this distance. On a cool but beautiful autumn morning, the troop left the NIRA trailhead and headed upstream following the Manzana Creek. Continuing upward through the dense chaparral we first arrived at Fish Creek and our first of several creek crossings. The creek was barely flowing at this time of year which made stepping across easy. At Ray’s Camp, after a vote, the scouts made the decision to proceed on to the Manzana Narrows campground arriving a few hours before dark. Tents were erected, air mattresses inflated and bags laid out before dinner prep began. Some scouts, sporting head lamps, cooked supper over an open fire while others cooked in pots on the stoves carried in. We ate well and were in our tents by seven thirty.
It was cold in the morning when we got up but quickly prepared our breakfast, cleaned up and broke camp. The seven-mile hike back to the trailhead went quickly and we were back at the cars in less than four hours and back to the freeway traffic. It was a memorable trip that we look forward to next year. Jack G.
