Dahlonega, GA December 19-22 – Four local scouts from BSA Troop 303 took a 35+ mile backpacking trek through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during their Christmas Break. Their adventure started at the trailhead at Kephart Trailhead hiking up the creek to Kephart Shelter the first night. They meet the Appalachian Trail and headed north toward Icewater Spring for lunch and then enjoyed the views from Charlies Bunion. Camping at Pecks Corner Shelter that evening, they prepared for the extreme COLD weather coming in as they planed to stayed the next night at Cosby Knob Shelter with temperature below 0 degree. The next morning they started hiking early to Cammerer Observation Tower with temperature warming up to 10 degree. After breakfast, they continued down the ridgeline and finished their exploration at Davenport Gap. Highlights of the trip included seeing the ridgeline views at Charlies Bunion and Cammerer Tower, working on their wilderness skills, and completing this 34+ miles backpacking trek.

Scouts who participated in this trek were: Samuel Roys, Trey Greer, Michael Pierce, and Jacob Walden. For more information about scouting contract us at rgreer@lumpkin.k12.ga.us or 706-867-7047.