TROOP 505 LAKE TRIP #1 (AKA B****** LAKE), July 25th-27th, 2014

The original plan to go to Sword Lake was changed due to reports that it was crowded this time of year. An alternative lake nearby was chosen as the destination for the weekend. Four Scouts and two Leaders left from the trail head at 7:15 pm. We stopped at sunset about a mile in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness to set up for the night. About 9:30 pm, a group with headlamps heading up the trail was spotted, so we covertly watched as they went by. They stopped for a bit as they waited for the rear to catch up. By listening, we guessed that they may be a Scout Troop. Saturday morning we got moving at 8:45 am, and reached the lake about 10:30 am. In the trees near the lake was a group of adults with red class Bs on from Troop 505 out of Tracy. The Scouts were already in the lake. We found out that this was their last of many annual trips to this lake, and that the Troop is disbanding at the end of this year. The Leaders spend a while talking. Meanwhile, the Scouts found a great camp site on the opposite side of the lake. Then the fun began. There were many logs floating in the not too cold water to play with. One was named the USS Hope It Sinks (Troop 505 had another called the Hope It Floats). Later in the day the Scouts went tree, shrub, and flower identifying. Also another Scout arrived with his family to join in on the fun. The Scouts want to return to this great spot and want to call it Troop 505 Lake in honor of the Troop that had used it for many years and kept it spotless.