Backpacking Treks
Time spent in nature is the most cost-effective and powerful way to counteract the burnout and sort of depression that we feel when we sit in front of a computer all day.
-Richard Louv
No other adventure is the same as backpacking. Getting out in the backcountry with all you own on your back, walking to magnificent views and taking time to discover the simple wonders of nature. Indeed the flagship of our High Adventure program is our backpacking treks.
Western North Carolina has over a million acres of National Forest land available with hundreds of miles of trails. We have selected a variety of trails that will allow your scouts to explore nature and improve their back country skills. They will get unplugged, and will see stars as they may never have seen them before. In some areas, your crew may not see another person outside of your crew the entire time out, a truly remote wilderness experience.
All treks are led by trained and experienced staff. Our guides stress instruction and practice in Leave No Trace and Outdoor Code ethics, expedition behavior, the patrol method, and scout run leadership. Instruction and practice in backpacking, hiking, camping, first aid, nature, and other backcountry outdoor skills takes place daily.
All backpacking treks use the patrol method. This helps facilitate a greater sense of group accomplishment as all challenges are faced from a group-centered perspective.
It is wise that participants take part in some form of conditioning prior to arrival to camp, as trails in Western North Carolina are rugged. We recommend long day hikes with a weighted pack and/or weekend backpacking trips for your troop’s spring- time activities. Individual exercise routines also help significantly.
If you and your Scouts are looking for the greatest of all Scouting classrooms, and a chance to explore Western North Carolina up close and personal. If you are in decent physical shape, and can handle the physical demands of living in the backcountry, then a backpacking trek is for you.
Scouts will learn various methods to low impact camping methods. Scouts will learn how to plan for future backpacking treks in regards to what cooking gear, food, group gear, and personal gear may be needed. The high altitude balds are excellent places for the scouts to practice topographic map navigation with the endless views and all the terrain features visible below.
All backpacking treks offer a Friday day of rafting on the Nantahala River as an optional activity, dependent on availability and trek itenerary.
All Treks require 4 participants minimum. At least 1 participant must be an adult and all Treks will be guided by a Camp Daniel Boone Staff Member.
Backpacking Trek Options
Shining Rock Wilderness Trek
This trek requires VERY GOOD physical conditioning for EVERY participant. The Shining Rock Wilderness trek is a four-day loop trip that can include a portion of the Art Loeb Trail through Pisgah National Forest and Shining Rock Wilderness. Our Wilderness Experts are currently revising this trek opportunity to bring new adventures to you this summer. Below is a description of key landmarks within this area, right in our back yard at Camp Daniel Boone.
The Shining Rock Wilderness trek is a four day hike through Pisgah National Forest and Shining Rock Wilderness, with over 24,000 acres of backcountry experiences waiting for you. This area is famous for its rugged climbs and pristine views from atop the Eastern United States. Including the world-renowned Art Loed Trail, this wilderness area runs from the Davidson River across several landmark area peaks around the southern rim of the Davidson River valley, includes Pilot Mountain on the northern end of this dividing ridge, before climbing steeply to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Silvermine Bald, where it tops 6000’ in elevation. Next, the trail system crosses Black Balsam Knob where there is a plaque commemorating Art Loeb and the Art Loeb Trail. This is the most famous and most popular section of the trail, for good reason. The views and uniqueness of this section of trail are second to none!
Finally, the trails travel across the mountain balds and through the Shining Rock Wilderness past Shining Rock itself. Near Cold Mountain the trail climbs into “The Narrows” and rugged ridgeline which slowly gets smaller and smaller with memorable views to the north and south. A side trip will take you to the summit of Cold Mountain, before descending steeply to end at Camp Daniel Boone.
Crew Size:
Minimum: 4 Participants (Including at least one 21+ adult Leader)
Maximum: 9 Participants (Including at least one 21+ adult Leader)
Panthertown Valley Trek
This is becoming one of the more popular areas in the region. If your group wants relaxing adventures with tons of waterfalls and rivers then this is the trek for you. The vastly diverse ecosystems that occupy Panthertown Valley, along with somewhat easier terrain, will surely allow for memorable adventures for each group. We invite those wishing to have a more leisurely week in the forest with short daily mileage and plenty of time to fish and play in numerous waterfalls to inquire about this special location.
Groups will have sufficient time to work on merit badge requirements as well as other backcountry camping techniques. This is a great area to set up a base camp and have day hikes to various locations throughout the week.
Crew Size:
Minimum: 4 Participants (Including at least one 21+ adult Leader)
Maximum: 9 Participants (Including at least one 21+ adult Leader)
