Troop 288 Hiking Merit Badge 2018
Hike # 6, 10 miler - Stone Mountain State Park
3042 Frank Pkwy, Roaring Gap, NC 28668
36.379630, -81.025471
Saturday 23 March 2019, 06:00 - 16:00
Hike #6 was conducted at Stone Mountain. The Stone Mountain State Park is the largest state park in North Carolina (14,100 acres) and is a massive 600-foot exposed granite dome. James and new scout member Henry, their dad Mr. Keane, and Mr. Cashman attended the hike, led by Mr. Peine.
The hike adventure started at the Park Visitor Center where James and Henry learned about local history and ecology including entomology (insect collection), plants, a taxidermied black bear, and an authentic wooded loom. Our hike of Stone Mountain (approximately 9 miles) included a clock-wise loop course that took us up a long flight of steps/cable guide across the summit of Stone Mountain. The course included the Cedar Rock and Wolf Rock trails which afforded amazing views of the 200-foot Stone Mountain waterfall, several views of the Blue Ridge mountain escarpment, Hutchinson Homestead, and the ridges dividing three watersheds. Habitat included pine, mixed pine-hardwood and mature hardwood forests. Wildlife observed included a herd of white-tailed deer, hawks, and several fence lizards. Weather was very comfortable with a cool breeze (light jacket).
James and Henry learned about blaze markings, pace estimating, proper hydration & food consumption, and route planning. We started the hike at approximately 09:30 and returned to the parking lot at approximately 14:00.
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