Prep- Trips
This page is going to store all the information on the prep trips that we do to get ready for the 50 miler in July for future reference. All the numbers are what we have dine in the past but some trips may have other route options available that could be done as well.
Miners Ravine Trail
This is a simple first hiking trip for the group to do together as a baseline test. This is a trail through Roseville on a paved bike path that makes it very simple to follow. There is very little that needs to be done to follow the path as it is very clear and labeled. There are multiple points to get on and off the trail along the route as it stays completely within the city, starting in old Roseville and going to Sierra College Blvd. This is a 8.2 mile out and back route that can be done in about 5 hours if the group is ready.
Mileage: 8.2 miles
Elevation gain: 400ft
Days: 1 day
Driving map: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//38.7488016,-121.2819127/@38.7479322,-121.2821379,16.93z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0
Miners ravine trail map.pdf
Olmstead Loop Trail
This is an easy loop in the Auburn hills that gives us the first taste of what a long hike with some elevation can be like. It is a combination of a few trails to give us the full loop that we use on the trail. This has some amazing views with plenty of challenges as well. This trail does not have a lot of markers however there are junctions within almost every mile on the trail, so navigation and following the map become the largest challenge on the trail. This is a good 2nd trip for the scouts to do after the miners ravine. I would recommend that everyone come with their pack fully packed and ready for an overnight to help simulate the trail. This will take most of the day so it's a good one to practice the lunch stops of 30 minutes and get into good trail habits as well. Keep your eyes peeled for horses as they are often seen coming from the Cool parking lot that features a pit toilet the only one that you will see along the trail near the end of your trip.
Mileage: 14mi
Elevation: 2351ft gain, 2339ft loss
Days: 1 day
Caltopo link: https://caltopo.com/m/BR9A8
Olmstead loop map.pdfAverys Pond
This is a great first overnight night trip for many scouts. It would also do great as a basic intro to backpacking for new scouts that are not in the 50 miler program. This can be done really easily by going to the Beals Point Campground and reserving the two sites at the far side of the pond for the night. The trail to the pond is really easy to follow and can be made into a short or long trip based on the needs of the group that is there. Once to the camp after a short or long hike the trail continues out past the pond and can be followed to many geocaches as well as a cool day hike with views of the river. Then the next day you can be picked up at the trailhead where you were dropped off or at rattlesnake bar only a mile down the hill from camp.
Mileage: 6.17 mi (distance can vary based on start location)
Elevation: 467ft gain, 657ft loss
Days: 2 days, 1 night
Caltopo link: https://caltopo.com/m/7UGPM
Driving map: https://caltopo.com/p/4PA66
Averys pond map.pdf
South Yuba River
This is the first trip that will start to use all of the skills that you have learned to this point. This will combine a longer day with, trail navigation, as well as camping in the backcountry. This trip is not easy, it is recommended that when you reach the first camp check on the group and see if there is a need to stop before pushing for the later sites. The first site is easy to spot along the water, however, there is a better site hidden off in the trees to the left of the trail about a quarter-mile from the bottom of the hill at the first location. The farther site is the same there is an easy one to find with a picnic table to the left, continue walking and there is a broken down compost toilet that is out of service, this site is large and flat with two metal picnic tables that can be used. The trail to get to the campsites is easy as there are no major junctions just follow and use the navigation skills that you need to know your location. There is a large climb that will drop into the first campsite and from there it is a gentle walk with some climbing to the 2nd location.
Mileage: 9.6mi
Elevation: 1578ft gain, 2028ft loss
Days: 2 days
Caltopo link: https://caltopo.com/m/613MQ
South yuba river map.pdf
Loch Leven
Loch Leven is one of the prettiest one-night trips that you can do. There are three lakes all prettier than the last one as you climb the mountain. This trail poses a few good challenges for the scouts on the trail as navigation can be a challenge at the beginning on the granite faces as there are only carins to follow on the trail. These little rock piles can make the trail hard to find however it is clear beyond this point. The railroad tracks that you follow require the group to cross all at once and quickly without running. The call to cross should be made by an adult at this point to ensure it is safe to do so. Once across the tracks, there is a steep long climb to the first of the lakes. This part of the trail is where it is a deceivingly long hike. It will take much longer than the map says that it should take so be ready to hike into the afternoon starting at about 10 that morning. It is important to note that in late may there is a little snow left on the grown and this is the best time to go as this is not as hot as the summer months as well as it's a popular hike, and the snow scares many hikers away from it.
Mileage: 3.59mi
Elevation: 1324ft gain, 252ft loss
Days: 2 days
Caltopo link: https://caltopo.com/m/EMREB
Loch_Leven_Blank_Map_202251619231788170742.pdfRock Lake Beginner
This is a really easy first trip that would be good to introduce new scouts to backpacking in the fall months. it would be a good first backpacking trip for the program as well however there is snow in the early months that make it hard to complete. For this reason it is a good simple trip to help introduce people to what backpacking is and may include taking new scouts to the troop out in there 2nd year. This could be a good recruitment trip for the backpacking program. The trip its self is fairly simple, starting at car lake go along the side of island lake and just passed penner lake up the hill slightly is lover rock lake where there is one nice sized spot and on the other side of the lake a second one as well for a troop sized group to stay at. The next day has a couple of options for how to hike it, you can go back the way you came in on go out the back and do a small cris county section across the lindsey lakes dam. This is a good first practice map and compass section.
Rock lake beginner.pdfGrouse Ridge Cross-country
This route is not easy, this is a multi day trip that should be completed in the month before the 50 miler for those that are planning on attending. There are many things that this trip will teach including, multi day backpacking, extensive map and compass skills, off trail navigation, as well as locating yourself off the trail. This is a trip that should not be completed without someone who has done it before however and at least one meeting prior to the trip should be dedicated to the preparation that is needed. This trip has two major cross country sections one from sky high lakes to beyers lake, and from beyers lake to the trail home over the black buttes. This is one of the most strenuous trips to getting ready and will be vital in test ing the readiness of the group. This is the modified version of the original that has a day at rock lake in the beginning as well. This route came from Mr. Pickens before the 1st 50 miler the troop did and developed many of the skills that i use to this day regularly. Note please give scouts the blank version of the map for the trip to use, and adults can have the one with trail however it is a rough guide not a set trail.
Grouse Ridge xc map with trail.pdfGrouse ridge xc map.pdfPoint Reyes Bear Valley to Coast Camp
8.4 mile hike on relatively flat Bear Valley and Coast trails to the Coast campground group site 8 (must reserve site 3 months in advance). Then hike back over the mountains for 5.9 miles and Mt. Wittenberg summit to return to Bear Valley visitor center.