why do i exist

Hike @ Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park on 2024 08 18

A short, easy hike intended to teach new scouts something about navigation and hiking. Also was an opportunity for one of the older scouts to not choose a hot, arid wasteland to hike in for hours and hours.

We took the wrong path once, but miraculously our leaders avoided mistakes despite much argument. Hike was much longer (6.8 miles and 4 hours, 30 minutes including yapping) than anticipated, in part due to slightly abnormal weather and poor choices.

Reports

This week for our Boy Scout outing we decided to go hiking at Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park. We arrived at the staging area at 10 AM and we fell in after everyone arrived. We discussed the orientation of the map and finding north with the compass to the new scouts. We then set off on our hike, starting our hike we went the wrong way. Even though we did go the wrong direction I think that was a learning experience to make sure to look around for any signs before starting our hike. After regrouping at the parking lot and setting off on the right path we started switching leaders in guiding us through the hike. Finishing the hike around 2:30 with a mileage of around 5 or 6.

Roses:

• Majority of the hike we were on the right path
• Exercise/conditioning for future hikes
• Troop bonding
• Full view of the Bay Area
• First hike for new scouts
• Learning orientation of the map and compass for new scouts
• Wind
• Music

Thorns:

• Steep trail
• Took the wrong path at the start
• Constant complaining
• Troop was separated by speed
• Very little shade

Suggestions:

• All scouts should check our communication app daily to vote and to get their say in what they think about an outing that we are planning, or to avoid an event that people may not enjoy.
• All scouts should also be prepared so they have enough resources to get through a hike that may be longer than expected.
• Plan locations that appeal to what people want during hikes such as shade, low elevation, terrain, etc.
• Do more in-depth research on an outing before going on said outing.
• Going on more physically demanding outings to get the troop in shape for increasingly longer/harder outings. (Especially since one of the Eagle-required merit badges requires a 20-mile hike and several 10-mile hikes. And if not more important to keep all of ourselves in shape.)

Events:

1. fall in, [scout leader 1] talks about maps, compasses, and navigation
2. glorious leader leads us the wrong way
3. glorious leader finds the correct path, proceeds to miraculously not make any mistakes despite many forks and angry, complaining, confused, untrusting, and misguided scouts
4. hike up, switching leaders along the way
5. breaks
6. hike down
7. fall in, leave

Roses:

• Correct path, except first mile
• Physical and mental exercise
• Something about navigation
• Something about the importance of preparation
• Something about knowing our limits
• Hopefully the half of the troop that didn't bother to vote learned the importance of voting

Thorns:

• People complained about a relatively easy hike
• Apparently the hike wasn't planned out well enough, despite it being perfectly fine
• The sun is a deadly lazor
• People complained despite 75% of voters agreeing
• Everyone loudly and incessantly blamed [scout 1] instead of focusing on finishing the hike, keeping complaints to self, blaming the trail, blaming their own physical weakness, distracting themselves from the difficulty of the trail, figuring out navigation, blaming the 6 people that voted for hiking, etc

Improvements:

• Get everyone to vote
• Do more dumb things like these to get people used to it
• Find locations and times with better temperature, terrain, wind, etc
• Get multiple people to plan

On the hike at Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park on Sunday, everyone arrived at the parking lot and proceeded to fall in around 10:00 am. After we fell in, [scout leader 1] gave a lesson to the new scouts about how to use a compass to read a map. After that some scouts used the restroom and went towards a path that turned out to lead the wrong way. Even though we were led down the wrong path, I believe that this could be a learning experience teaching us to make sure that a path is the right one before going through it. After that we regrouped in the parking lot and went on the correct path and swapped the leaders leading us through the trails when there were forks in the road. We took a couple of breaks and continued to hike the loop back to the parking lot. By the time we got back to the parking lot, we had ended up hiking around 6-7 miles.

Roses:

• Good learning experience for staying on the right path by researching the places we want to go to.
• Good training experience for long distance hiking and endurance.

Thorns:

• Not enough research and preparation.
• Very little to no shade.

Things to improve on for next time:

• Do more research and preparation

We went hiking at Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park at 10am. We first started with a falling in and a flag ceremony in the parking lot. During this falling in [scout leader 1] and [scout leader 2] taught the scouts about compass and directions. After that, the older scouts had to look through the map for the directions we would go through while the newer scouts looked at another map where [scout leader 1] and [scout leader 2] were teaching something to them. Our first path we started in led us to a dead end due to reading the map wrong, which forced us to go back to start and go to the actual starting path. When we actually made it on the correct path there were many forks and different pathways to take, during most of these paths a few scouts would change out to lead the troop. During [scout 2] and [scout 3]'s lead we took a break at a bench under a tree and had lunch. After that we hiked up a hill but had a choice of whether or not to take a shortcut or the entire pathway, the troop chose the latter of the two. We hiked up the mountain which took around 2 hours continuously going up with a few short breaks. We got to see the view of Hayward because of how barren and treeless the land was. Finally, we would take a path down the steep mountain and end up back at the fork to the parking lot. This would be where we were dismissed and went home.

Roses:

• this was good training for long distance hiking or sports in stamina
• it was kind of an interesting walk since we had already walked here in a different path
• It was fun talking amongst each other.

Thorns:

• not enough research on the land
• not enough preptime
• differing path causing underpreperation
• the weather and heat

What I want to see next time:

• Next time I want to see proper research done so that we can have a better experience on other hikes.

At around 10:05 AM I arrived at the Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park. Soon after I arrived we fell in and got a short briefing about where we would be hiking. After that we started our hike. At first we took a wrong turn but we got that resolved pretty quickly. Then we continued to hike until 12:00 PM where we stopped to have a short break and eat any lunch or snacks that we brought. After the break we continued to hike for approximately another 2 hours and 30 minutes until we arrived at the parking lot. There we fell in again and after talking for a while we finished up and left. In total we hiked around 5 to 6 miles.

Roses:

• Good workout
• Good bonding experience
• Good music choice

Areas to improve:

• More planning for the trial
• More trail research

We started by falling in and listening to [scout leader 1] tell us about something about compasses, and after the newer scouts and/or scouts listened to a thing about maps, after that we went to a "trail". Turns out it was a dead end and we had to walk back, but then we went on the actual trail where it started off with trees and then became a full on desert, and we went the wrong way which made the hike 5 miles instead of 4.7 miles as told, and it was mostly uphill, which was unideal to say the least. The downhill parts were also unideal because they were all steep and bill almost fell. But after all of the desert and steep hills, we made it back to civilization. We had to fall in and after that we all just left.

Roses:

• Slightly epic music
• Nice view I guess

Thorns:

• Too hot
• No trees
• No shade
• Way too long

We first fall into do flags. Then [scout leader 2] and [scout leader 1] taught the new scouts how to use a compass and map. we then walked into to a dead-end so we had to go back to the parking lot. when it was about a half mile we had lunch. Then we went on the wrong trail so we just took the shortcut. In the end, it was about 2:30 PM, so it took us about 3 hours and 30 minutes. we went back to the parking lot to fall in and get dismissed.

Roses

• great view
• good exercising

Areas to improve on

• research the hike trail before picking it
• pick a cooler day

At about 10 AM we met up and began falling in. After falling in, [scout leader 1] taught us how to use a compass and how to check the weather and conditions. Next he taught some of us how to use the compass with an actual map. After that we set off hiking but we had gone on the wrong path, one that led to a ranch with a road going through. After a quick turn around we began going up the correct route after a quick hike though a somewhat shaded area we took a quick lunch break. But, the lunch break was followed by an intersection. We had to make the choice of a shortcut, or the planned route. But, the planned route ended up being the more difficult route, it was a rigorous hike up steep hills, with not a single tree on the path for miles, and with arid dry conditions requiring us to take more than 5 breaks. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally made it to an extremely steep downhill path which was shaded. In the end, we hike many more miles than what was planned.

Roses

• Good learning experience
• Great merit badge training

Thorns:

• Not enough research
• Not enough preparation
• Not following through with original plan

On 8/18/24, Troop 201 went on a hike on Dry Creek, before we started the hike, [scout leader 1] taught the newer scouts how to use a compass and a map. After the lesson, some scouts were told that each intersection would have a new person to lead the troop. Shortly after that we started hiking, but when we reached a place where there were horses, we realized that we went the wrong way, so we all went back to the parking lot to go back on the correct path, which took around 10-15 minutes to go back. Then, we finally went on the correct path. For a while it was pretty good as we were able to stay on the right path when met with an intersection, until there was an intersection between the planned path, which was Meyers Ranch and another path, Pioneer Trail, which was a shortcut. And since we spent a bit of time at the wrong location earlier, the parents suggested we go on the shortcut. However from what I remembered, none of the scouts wanted to go to the shortcut .We marched on to the planned path and it was where we started to crumble. The planned path had no shade, and countless hikes went up, which exhausted quite a number of people. The hike was supposed to be 4.7 miles, but ended up 6-7 miles.

Good things:

• It was a great way to exercise
• It was a good time to be social

Things to improve

• Research the terrain, like if it has trees or have lots of hills
• Check the temperature that day
• Have better planning, like if the hike takes too long take a shorter path
• Listen the adults
• When researching the hike, talk with the troop and the adults about the hike path to discuss whether it would be a good path or not

At 10:00 am, we falled in and talked about the hike route. We then walked into a private area instead of the hiking trail. Eventually, we found the hiking trail and started hiking it until noon. We stopped for a short break and continued the hike for another 2 hours. Another break took place and after that, we hiked down back to the parking lot. The last thing we did was fall in. The experience was awesome!

Roses:

• The sunny uphill path was full of wind, which would not have been the case if we went the correct, intended way. [stupidity removed] The wind cooled us down due to evaporative cooling, and negated the heat of the sun. All the sun could do was turn us black/red
• We got to see a deer and a homeless tent when we made that mistake
• Our uphill journey was chilled by the wind, which would NOT have happened if we took the 'right path'
• Although the Pioneer trail would have been shorter, we could not have seen the view described in the chronological order of events above if we went through Pioneer trail. Also, our trail had some very good wind, especially at the summit that I went to.
• I brought 8-9 bottles of water, which meant that I could have given it to others ([scout 5] asked, he received. I also brought food.
• Great workout. Nothing to say here, except: 1.3k calories, 1.1k feet in elevation, 6.18 miles.
• [scout 3] turned purple due to sunscreen

Thorns:

• The sun is a deadly laser (UV made us turn black, [unrelated person] warned us about it)
• The trail was quite steep

Advice to future hike planners:

• While weather may not be easily plannable, postponing a hike due to extreme weather is reasonable.
• Even though there was no shade on the hike up, the wind compensated for that. The Bay Area is very good for this. Look at wind maps to help you plan.
• Windbreakers may actually be necessary - without the sun, we would have been frozen solid by evaporative cooling.
• This hiking spot is not bad, assuming good weather.
• Don't be lazy! Look at reviews, satellite maps, wind maps, weather patterns, etc. Satellite maps have detailed trail data, so you can tell which ones are under the shade and which ones are not. Places shielded from the wind, like Wente, need shade to compensate for the sun. Places like Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park do not. Keep this in mind!

Overall Summary:

Overall, the roses outweighed the thorns. The wind made up for the sun, and the view, wind, and exercise made up for the trail's difficulty. If the sequence of mistakes had not been made, and certain advice ignored, we would not have had such a good time. Pioneer trail has no wind, so we would be sweltering.

Before the start of the hike, Troop 201 was taught by [scout leader 1] how to correctly set and use a compass. After everyone was briefed on compass usage, the troop discussed the trail we would take for the hike. A marked trail was given out to those who had a phone while the adult leaders discussed how the hike was to be led. The idea was that some scouts were selected to lead the hike for different sections of the trail so that they could learn how to properly lead hikes in the future. At first, we embarked on the wrong path, but everything went fine once we noticed our mistake as we retraced our steps and continued onto the right path. Whenever the hiking leader position was given to a different scout, they would have to determine which direction to take while on the trail by using what they were taught with the compass along with the map route they were given. The rest of the hike went fairly well, with everyone taking rests along the way to make sure everyone could complete the hike. The trail was not properly planned though, as the elevation of the mountains, the length of the trail, and the weather, was not determined correctly, causing everyone to be a little under-prepared, but this can be fixed with a little extra research and group collaboration the next time a hiking plan is made so that everyone is prepared enough for the hike.

At 10:00 AM, all participating Scouts arrived and gathered at the parking lot. After falling in, the Assistant Scoutmaster of our troop, [scout leader 1], took charge and provided valuable guidance to the newer Scouts, by directing them on how to use a compass in the wilderness. When all were equipped with the necessary knowledge, we embarked on our hike. As we set off on this adventure, we followed [scout 1] lead, but unfortunately, we ended up walking on the wrong trail, leading to a dead end. Luckily, under the intervention and command of Scoutmaster [scout leader 2], we were directed back to the parking lot, where we regrouped and went on the correct trail. After walking for approximately half an hour, all Scouts and adults took a well-deserved break to recharge and enjoy our lunch. The energy from the meals fueled us as we continued on the hike, facing challenging terrain and steep hills. The hike was rigorous and tiring, testing our endurance every step of the way. According to [scout 1], this was the best way to train for the 10 and 20 mile hikes. After several hours of hiking, we finally made it back to the parking lot at 2:30 PM, where we regrouped (fell in), and had a final discussion with the troop before everybody left to return to their respective areas. The hike was both physically demanding and at the same time, rewarding. It provided the Scouts with valuable lessons in navigation and perseverance. Overall, today's hike at Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park was a memorable and enriching experience that allowed the Scouts to bond as a troop, while also overcoming tiring outdoor challenges.

On today's hike at Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park, most of us arrived at the parking lot at around 9:50 AM and proceeded into a fall in. After the fall in, the new scouts had a lesson on the compasses by [scout leader 1]. Once they were done and after some scouts used the bathroom, we went towards a path that was later on found to be incorrect. We went back to the parking lot after realizing and forwarded to the correct trail. Throughout the hike we took a ton of breaks even though there was practically no shade at all. Towards the end of this hike everyone was very exhausted and in the end, got to the parking lot at 2:30 to fall in for dismissal. The hike was as long as 3 hours and 30 mins with the length of what I believe around 7 miles.

Roses

• Watching the view and taking a look at nature was pretty nice
• Got to interact with my friends

Thorns

• Even though I wasn't really exhausted as much as previous hikes, I did have some pain on my toes from going downhill
• The hiking trail was not of my nor most people's liking.

What I learned

• A lot of people do not like hikes
• I found 2 ways to prevent my toes from hurting while going downhill
• I should wear a lot of sunscreen outside

What we can improve on

• Better trails/hiking locations with a clear mind on what trail we are taking.
• Start studying and researching the weather, environment, and geography when we are hiking and camping.
• Sticking together or making groups
• Have a well prepared plan and a diverse and equal vote with full participation.

At about 10:05, everyone in the troop had arrived at the parking lot, and we fell in, then waited for the newer kids to get briefed on compasses and [stupidity removed]. Then, we took a wrong turn at the beginning because nobody saw the "<- All Trails" sign pointing to the left and we went to the right. We walked half a mile to some ranch, [stupidity removed], and went back to the parking lot [stupidity removed]. We saw the sign, blamed each other, then went on the right path. We take breaks where there was shade or where there was a turn, so we could wait for those behind us to catch up. At 11:45 ish, we took a lunch break near a bench in the shade, and then got going again at like 12:30 or something like that. Then, we reached the area with no shade. [stupidity removed] After suffering through the 50 peaks with absolutely no shade or flat ground, we reached the downhill section. Around here, [scout 1] and [scout 4] and someone else started playing music on [scout 1]'s speaker. Anyway, there were trees in this section, and downhill areas, so we suffered less.

At 10 am we arrived at the designated meeting spot and started to fall in. [scout leader 1] then held a little seminar about the compass after flags. We broke off and started to prepare for our hike. We first went to the road on the right but realized we had gone the wrong way when we reached the dead end. Realizing our mistake, we backtracked to the starting point and went to the left road where the actual entrance was. We hiked for about 10-20 minutes before we stopped for a lunch break. After our break, we continued on the trail. We kept pushing forward until there was a fork in the road. The adults told us to go down and take the pioneer trail but someone said that going up Meyer Ranch was the route we were supposed to take. We decided to listen to this person and we continued up Meyer Ranch only to realize there were a ton of huge hills we had to hike through. Eventually, we made it across but it was very tiring and everyone was complaining about the person. The whole trail was then just downhill hiking and we made it back to the parking lot at like 3:30 pm. Thank you for reading my report and have a good day!

Roses:

• We had fun and walked a lot

Areas to improve on:

• Research the trail better
• Pick trails with shade and fewer hills
• Do better planning
• Research weather
• Listen to the adult leaders because they give us easier trails

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