We woke up early for a warm hike up to Echo Mountain, on very shady trail.

We met up at the First United Methodist Church at 6:30 a.m. and we left at 7:40 a.m.. We arrived at the campground parking lot around 8:20 a.m. and started hiking. There was a lot of poison oak with narrow paths with big drops. Every 15 minuets we spent hiking, we took a respite, until we arrived at the first plateau. We also stopped for the many cyclists and fellow hikers passing us along the way.

When we arrived at Cape of Good Hope at 11:25 a.m. and took a rest and had snacks. While resting there was a lizard that crawled on Jonathan that would not come off! Morgan said his ankle hurt so Cash administered first aid and retied his ankle brace. We debated weather or not to take the Fire road back (which was longer but was gently slopping with no shade) or go down the path we took up that had a lot of shade.

Around 12:10 p.m. we descended on the path we took up and spent two hours slowly and carefully down the trail at Morgan's pace.

When we arrived at the camp at the bottom around 2:45 p.m.. Then we boiled water over our four lightweight stoves and then poured it into our Cup-O-Noodles. After that we left for First United Methodist Church around 3:45 p.m. and arrived at 4:15 p.m.. At the end of the day we hiked 8 miles and climbed 1,700 ft.

Leaders: Walt Sturrock and Jack Merica

Scouts: Sean, Morgan, Matt R., Matt K., Rafael, Mac, Adam, Colin, Jonathan, Jeramie, and Mark

Adults & Family: Mr. Goldsworthy, Mr. Olson and Melissa

Reported by Sean, Troop Historian, 4/16/08