Back some 10 years or so, Troop 96 crossed the Sierra-Nevada mountain range in California from Horseshoe Meadow on the eastern escarpment to Mineral King on the western slopes.  That trip was a super trip of approximately 50 miles.  As some alumni scouts and current leaders were having lunch together in October 2006, the suggestion was made to take that trip again.  Some notes were quickly scribbled on business card, maps were found, calls were made, and by November of 2006 the current scouts in the troop had voted to make the trip. 

One side note we need to mention:  On a phone call one day between the primary trip planner and one of our past scoutmasters, it was noted that the first route taken 10 years before may not have been 50 miles.  We decided we wanted to take no chances.  We found another route around the John Muir Trail that turned out to be about 65 miles.  We decided to take that one. 

The first order of business was plane tickets to Los Angeles.  On a freak call made by a scout mom, we got a special group rate for 40 people round trip tickets from Birmingham to Los Angeles for $300 each.  All the other plans, such as ground transportation, food planning, permits, campground reservations, hotel arrangements were all made leading up to our July departure.  We had some difficulty arranging ground transportation, but troop alumni from California stepped in to take up the call. 

Day 1

We arrived and were shuttled through 120 degree heat to the Whitney Portal campground, at the base of Mount Whitney.  We arrived just in time to have big, juicy, wonderful, cheeseburgers at the Whitney Portal Café.  Those were some lovely burgers.  We went back to camp and settled down for our first night at 7500 feet. 

Day 2

Due to the size of our contingent, we had to break the group into 2 crews.  The first group left Whitney Portal for Horseshoe Meadow on the morning of Day 2.  It was a job breaking down backcountry food and supplies for Group 1 to take to Horseshoe Meadow while leaving the other food and supplies with Group 2.  The primary issue was the bread that we bought when we landed, and forgot to take to Horseshoe Meadow with Group 1, which we had to turn around and bring back to them.  If you have ever made the drive to Whitney Portal and Horseshow Meadow, you know why this is a problem.  Horseshoe Meadow is at 10,000 feet elevation.

Group 1 spent the day arranging food and taking some day hikes to try to help acclimate to the elevation.  The first two days on the trail are almost always above 10,000 feet. 

Group 2 remained at Whitney Portal and took a day hike up to Lone Pine Lake.  Two of our college-aged scouters actually took a quick day hike to the top of Mount Whitney - in one day!

Day 3

Group 2 moved up to Horseshoe Meadow the morning of Day 3.  After arranging food into bear canisters, we tried out a few days hikes and took it easy breathing the minimal oxygen. 

Day 4

Group 2 left Horseshoe Meadow, headed toward New Army Pass.  We stopped for the night at Long Lake.  It was a beautiful campsite on a sandy clearing at the west end of the lake.  We saw two different groups at the lake, one staying and one passing through.  The wind at Long Lake was especially bad, whipping tents into a frenzy.  

Day 5

We moved from Long Lake to the slopes below New Army Pass.  It was a long hard climb, but we finally got to the top of the pass to almost freezing temperatures and some serious cloud cover.  After taking a break in the snow, we moved down Rock Creek.  We left Rock Creek to climb another high pass in our 16-mile day.  The leader told the crew never again would we do at day like that, on the second day, at that altitude, carrying that much gear.  It was a bear of a day.  We did meet a very nice group of elder scouters at our camp that night, one of which was very good with a sewing awl, and he stitched up one of our torn backpacks.  As amazing as it seems, during the night, it started raining.    

Day 6

After breakfast, we moved down to the bottom of Kern Canyon.  The trail out of Crabtree Meadow into Kern Canyon was spectacular.  The view to the west was awesome.  We got several good photos there.  Our first campsite in Kern Canyon was just south of Junction Meadow.  We got there early and had plenty of time to wash clothes, ourselves, and start dinner.  During the boys initial dinner preparation, a black bear came down out of the trees within 50 feet of the boys.  The bear very quietly walked by them and never turned to look at them.  He walked north past our campsite up Kern River.  Later that evening, at about dark, he came back down the other side of the river and tried to cross the river right into the middle of our tents.  Of course, our shouting and rock throwing persuaded him to cross further downstream.  As we lay down to sleep that night, one can be sure we dreamed of bears.

Day 7

Group 2 packed up early and started down Kern Canyon.  The canyon was much warmer than the top of the cliffs on either side.  We tried to make it to our camp before it got to 95 degrees, but it seemed we did not, as it must have been much hotter than that in that canyon.  We stopped at the Kern River bridge for lunch and then headed for Rattlesnake Creek.  The icy water felt really good that night.  After a good supper we all went to sleep fairly early. 

Day 8

Group 2 woke up and made their way up the western side of the canyon.  We had about a 3500 feet climb that day.  We were making our way toward Franklin Pass.  As we got to our campsite at the foot of the pass, we were amazed to find a lone ranger working the trail, from Alabama, from our city, from our street!!  It truly is a small world. 

Day 9

Group 2 slowly made our way up to Franklin Pass.  For those of you who have never done it, try to imagine and 1000' tall hill, at a slope of 30-40 degrees, made completely out of beach sand.  Walking up hill, on the beach, with 50 pounds on your back.  It was an experience we will not soon forget.  At the top of the pass, we spent a great deal of time relaxing and taking pictures.  After picking up our packs one last time, we started the 4000' descent into Mineral King. 

Summary

This trip was an amazing experience: 65 miles, over 6 days, 16,000 of climbing, 14,000 of descending, no resupply points, all between 12,300 and 6,600 feet.  For a group of guys from Alabama, it was a special trip which will long be remembered.