The five-day “Mini” Backpack is something we do with our 7th and 8th-grade Scouts every two years. This year, we had an eleventh-hour destination change from #colorado’s Flat Tops Wilderness to the much less fire-hazardous West Elks Wilderness near Durango.
Day 1: Trailhead to Middle Creek along the Lowline. Lots of cows and a forest fire scar. Water scarcity and everyone getting used to heavy backpacks and steep climbs. Crew working to come together.
#wilderness #backpacking#ScoutsBSA
A group of four children is sitting around a campsite with tents in the background. They are engaged in a cooking activity near a small fire pit, surrounded by grass and trees. The atmosphere is relaxed, with the children wearing outdoor clothing and hats.
A group of 16 people, including children and adults, stands together in a forested area. They are wearing blue shirts and carrying backpacks, ready for a hiking adventure. The background features tall trees and a grassy clearing.
A dense aspen forest with tall white trunks and green foliage, illuminated by sunlight. Fallen logs and thick grass are visible on the forest floor, creating a serene natural atmosphere.
A hiker stands on a trail surrounded by tall, burned trees in a post-wildfire landscape. The sky is partly cloudy, and green vegetation is starting to grow among the charred remains. A large backpack is worn by the hiker,
