This is the description of an approximately 16 mile, three day, weekend backpacking trip. The trip will be in the Wilson Creek Area of the Pisgah National Forest north of Morganton on NC 181. Trails covered will include Greentown, Raiders Camp Creek, Harper Creek, North Harper Creek, and Persimmon Ridge. The trip is intended for scouts of varied experience in hiking and camping from novice on. Total distance under full pack will be approximately 8 miles with an 8 mile day hike. Altitudes will range from 3000 to 1900 ft. Maximum elevation change is 700 ft in 0.5 miles, moderate grades with two short steep climbs, one under pack. Temperatures may range from the 20's F. at night to the upper 80's. Most of the trail is shaded. There will be multiple stream crossings, weather permitting. Plan to hike in tennis shoes or something you don't mind having wet. Bring a separate pair of light shoes for camp and extra socks.

Schedule.

Messages and Emergency Contact

Telephone messages for pickup after the hike and before the troop starts home may be left by calling 933-1969.

A status message including the times that the troop starts for home and expects to arrive may be heard by calling 933-1969.

Personal Equipment

See the troop's personal equipment list for details. Sneakers are recommended as foot gear; boots are all right, but there will be many creek crossings. The pack should contain sufficient material for a three day campout. Assume extremes of weather; i.e., pack clothes for 25^oF to 85^oF. Bring a separate pair of light shoes for camp and extra socks.

Food and Group Equipment

Food (except Saturday lunch) and equipment will be coordinated at the troop meetings by patrol. Pack a bag lunch for Saturday. Pack a lunch for Sunday that requires minimum water; Persimmon Ridge has no reliable water.

Driving Route.

Estimated travel time is four hours from Chapel Hill.

I40, NC181, FR982 , FR198 to Burnthouse Creek Campground

Drivers will leave Chapel Hill Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. We will assemble and meet any guests at the Brown Mountain Overlook on NC 181 between 10 and 11 a.m.

Brown Mountain Overlook is on the right on NC 181 north from Morganton. Take Exit 106 from I40, Bethel Road, into Morganton. Pick up NC 181 in Morganton. North bound overshoots for the overlook are NC 183 and the Blue Ridge Parkway; to the south, Table Rock and Oak Hill and Morganton.

Water

Reliable water is available at camp and along most of the trail. No water is available on the Persimmon Ridge trail; be sure to have 2 liters of canteen space for the Sunday day hike. Come with full canteens for lunch Saturday and the trail afterwards.

Return Clothes

Pack a complete change of clothes, shoes, and a towel to leave in the car at the trail head.

Maps

The following book and maps were used in the preparation of this material and are relevant to the trip but are not required:

• Wilson Creek Area Trail Map, National Forest Service, 1980.
• North Carolina County Maps, Ed. C.J. Puetz, c. 1987.
• North Carolina State Transportation Map & Guide to Points of Interest, 1978-79.

My child(ren), _______________________________________________________ (names)

are planning to attend the Wilson Creek Area hike and campout with my permission.

Parent(s) and guests, if any, planning to participate are  _____________________________________________ .

(Please indicate number you would be willing to drive as well as any pack space.)

Signed:________________________________

Date:___________________________

Please Return by Tuesday 2 March 1999.