Trip Descriptions
Boy Scout Troop 9
<www.t9ch.org/>
2005 - 2006

September 2005  Joyce Kilmer, NC

The Joyce Kilmer Wilderness is one of the few remaining stands of virgin forest in the eastern United States. The Tulip Tree or Poplar grove near the southern entrance is magnificent. The flora vary srikingly with sharp lines between stands of deciduous and coniferous forest. The hike in along Little Santeetlah Creek provides opportunities to lunch beside downed hemlocks with rings that can’t be counted during one meal. The view from Naked Ground, the bald gap at the head of the Little Santeelah Creek watershed, is not to be missed. This is a place to come back to.

October 2005  Canoe Trip, NC

This trip will be an overnight canoe trip on either the French Broad or New River in western North Carolina. The river has light rapids and requires some canoeing expertise to travel safely. The group will camp in a canoe access campsite and contine on the river the second day.

November 2005  Wilson Creek Area, NC

A favorite we have not visited for many years, the Wilson Creek area affords wonderful hiking through a low-lying part of the Pisgah National Forest north of Morganton. Following Greentown, Raiders Camp Creek, Harper Creek, North Harper Creek, and Persimmon Ridge trails, we will get a view of early spring at foothils elavations. The trip is intended for scouts of varied experience in hiking and camping from novice on. Eight miles under pack, an 8 mile day hike, over altitudes from 3000 to 1900 ft., and generally moderate climbs make this an enjoyable three-day weekend. There will be multiple stream crossings, weather permitting, and a few fine waterfalls. An alternate ridge-top route of ridges only is available in the event of rain.

December 2005  Uwharrie Trail, Troy, NC

The Uwharrie Mountains provide gentle climbs with beautiful hardwood groves, particularly some marvelous stands of Beech. The Uwharrie Trail is long enough that it takes us three years to rotate through each of its sections. The trip will include one night on the trail and a day and a half of rolling trail. Weather can be a challenge. One year, due to a forecast for extreme cold weather, the trip was converted to a day hike. A relatively easy hike under pack with an overnight provide the basis for future cold weather camping. Or as a previous scout liked to paraphrase, "Many are cold, but few are frozen."

January 2006 Roan Mountain TN, Caving and Mountain Hiking

This trip combines a caving trip for senior scouts with a mountain day hike for younger scouts. The troop will stay in cabins in a Tennessee state park. Older scouts will spend the day exploring one of the many Tennessee caves. Younger scouts will hike up to the top of Roan Mountain.

February 2006 Patrol  Trips

Patrol trips are focused on three elements of camping for the individual patrols: 1.) site selection, 2.) trip coordination, 3.) an easy, fun weekend. Trips can be as simple as back yard over nighters, or as complex as a ski trip. Adult oversight and approval are required.

March 2006 Crowder's Mountain Backpacking Trip

Crowder's Mountain and the King's Pinnacle are the northernmost peaks in the King's Mountain Range that spans the North Carolina/South Carolina border west of Gastonia. There is a short backpack into the camp, followed by a dayhike up to the tops of both peaks with views of Charlotte, the Blue Ridge mountains and the King's Mountain ridges.

April 2006 Orange District Camporee

A good chance for fellowship with brother scouts from other units. The program is seldom exciting but this leaves more opportunity for good visiting time. The Saturday night campfire is always exciting with the Order of the Arrow, The Brotherhood of Cheerful Service, and the tap out of candidates from the troop.

May 2006 Virginia Creeper Bike Trip

This trip is a two day forty mile bike trip on the Virginia Creeper Trail with an overnight at the Virgina Creeper Hostel. 

Virginia's finest rail-trail, the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail, occupies the bed of what was once a rugged mountain railroad between Abingdon and the Virginia-North Carolina border about a mile east of Whitetop Community. At the trail's lowest point, where it crosses South Holston Lake on a huge curving trestle, it is 2,000 feet above sea level, but by the time it reaches Whitetop Community it has ascended 1,600 feet, some of it at nearly 7 percent grade.

July 2006 Summer Camp

This week of intense advancement at Summer Camp provides the scouts an opportunity to complete a series of merit badges especially in aquatics, crafts, and areas like Environmental Science that work well with a daily attention. Class time is mixed with free time, recreation, and campfires that are put on by a consistently enthusiastic and well trained staff.