Earn all three of the following High Adventure Awards

• US Mormon Battalion Trail Award

• El Camino Real Award

• De Anza Trail Award

This award honors one of the founders of the WLACC High Adventure Team and represents his desire that all able-bodied and trained Scouts and Scouters backpack. Ralph Seifert has trained many leaders and introduced many more Scouts to the outdoors. This award introduces the HAT Basic Backpacking Awareness course participants and their scouts to the backpacking awards in the HAT patch system by earning a specific patch for successfully completing their first backpacking overnight trip.

Leo Ferns Jr. was instrumental and influential in starting the High Adventure Team in the Western Los Angeles County Council and has stayed active in Scouting and High Adventure for over 40 years. He has taken countless Scouts backpacking and taught them to appreciate and protect nature. This award is to honor him.

The purpose of the Leo Ferns Jr. Hiker of Character Award is to have Scouts 1) Learn an appreciation of nature through conservation. 2) Learn and use Spiritual guidance in their lives and 3) Meet the challenge of a long term High Adventure trip and then an additional challenge of their choosing within the requirements.

This trail was pioneered and developed by Scout Troop 317 of Canoga Park, CA. with the support of Tujunga District of the Angeles National Forest.

Camp a minimum of one (1) night at Falls Creek Campground. Fire permits are usually required.

Summit Mt. Whitney via a minimum 3 day, 2 night backpacking trek.

Backpacking trip must start and end at Wolverton/Alta Trailhead, Sequoia National Park. Minimum time on trail - 6 days and 5 nights, backpacking distance must be a minimum distance of 50 to 55 miles (25 hrs.), days and nights spent at Wolverton/Alta Trailhead do not count toward hike.

Plan a trip of 33 or more backpacking hours - Anywhere in the mountains, deserts, coast or any combination of these. Minimum time on trail - 7 days and 6 nights.

Plan a trip of 25 or more backpacking hours - Anywhere in the mountains, deserts, coast or any combination of these. Minimum time on trail - 6 days and 5 nights.  A minimum of 12 backpacking hours must be spent off trail.

This award is for an extended weekend Backpacking trip of at least 3 days and 2 nights. There is no limitation on where it can be earned.

The Tri-Challenge Award offered by the Ventura County Council, Boy Scouts of America, is a special award for achieving prerequisites as described below, and finally traveling fifty (50) miles within a thirty-six (36) hour period by backpacking, canoeing and cycling. A minimum of ten (10) miles will be required for each segment and the remaining twenty (20) miles may be flexible between the three modes of travel. You may travel in any order. To qualify for the Tri-Challenge Award, the group must complete the following requirements:

During a span of 1 year complete 25 hours of wilderness backpack Hiking within Ventura County.

Backpack 6-9 days, approximately 52 miles from Quaking Aspen down to Kern river and then up Golden Trout Creek to Little Whitney Meadows. On to Tunnell Meadows to Big Whitney Meadows and out over Cottonwood Pass to Road Head. This trip may be started from either point.

This award taking scheduled backpack trip along any of the many no longer used routes of the settlers of the Basin and Range or now abandoned railway right of ways of the Basin and Range.

The 50-Miler Award is presented to each qualifying individual for satisfactory participation in an approved trip. In order to qualify for the award the group of which the individual is a member must fulfill all of the following requirements.

The Historic Trail was initiated in 1990. The trail is designed to present to its participants the historical significance and natural beauty of the San Luis Obispo County area. The trail is divided into two primary sites: SAN LUIS OBISPO and SAN MIGUEL -- approximately 40 miles apart. The San Luis Obispo walk is the "PATH OF HISTORY" with 19 points of interest. The San Miguel tour includes the SAN MIGUEL MISSION and the RIOS-CALEDONIA ADOBE. The trail is suitable for Tigers, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers. The award is open to all registered members of the Boy Scouts of America.

This is an individual award offered to a boy who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of his Scoutmaster and to the High Adventure Team of Mission Council that he has satisfactorily lived up to the Outdoor Code and met the requirements of this award for a period of at least twelve (12) months.

Take a long term backpack trip anywhere EXCEPT the Sierras.

Any of the following hikes may be taken to qualify for the MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE SEGMENT. Information may be found in Mojave National Preserve, a Visitors Guide, by Olympic Press, or pamphlets, maps, and books from the National Park Service.

Any of the following hikes may be taken to qualify for the ZION NATIONAL PARK SEGMENT. Information may be found in pamphlets, maps, and books from the National Park Service and the Zion Natural History Association. Always check in at the Visitors Centerfor local conditions before starting out.

The award consists of Boulder Dam Area Council High Adventure Team round patch, featuring the official State Colors of the State of Nevada, and additional segments for specific areas in the Basin and Range Area. The round patch is ordered with the first segment earned and may not be awarded as an award unto itself.

Summit the four highest peaks in Southern California, earning the BSA High Adventure Awards for each.  The peaks include Mt. San Gorgonio (11,503'), Mt. San Bernardino (10,840'), Mt. San Jacinto (10,833'), and Mt. San Antonio (10,069').

Complete an overnight backpack of 7-1/2 hours scheduled backpack time in 2 consecutive days, camping at least 1-1/2 hours scheduled backpack time from both the trail head and the pick-up point in the Mojave or Sonoran Deserts.

Complete a backpack climb of 2 or 3 consecutive days with one night's camp at least 3 miles from the trailhead and at an elevation of over 9,000 feet.

Take a Backpack along the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (P.C.T.) as shown in the latest trail description or maps of the U.S. Forest Service.

This award was developed by Troop/Crew 1210 of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA and honors Jim Hawkins, Chair of the LAAC High Adventure Team for over 30 years. The upper portion of the medal depicts Dusy Basin in King’s Canyon National Park and three creatures that inhabit the Sierra High Route: Yellow-bellied Marmot, Clark’s Nutcracker and Golden Trout. The lower portion shows the face of Mt. Whitney.

Summit peaks above 10,000; earned in cumulative amounts of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25.

Backpack 5+ days on the following:

Trail must be entirely within the portion of the Sierras bounded on the north by an imagined east-west line just above Lake Thomas A. Edison and on the south by the southern boundary of Kern County. This is the area covered in Sierra South by Thomas Winnett, et al., an excellent resource for selecting and planning a trek.

Backpack 50 mile segments of the John Muir Trail.

Complete a 1-week backpacking trek on public lands.

Backpack in a National Forest.

Backpack taken in any location for a minimum of 1 night, distance of 5 miles or more.

This award is sponsored by the Tribe of Tahquitz to promote long-term backpacking in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Backpack and summit Timber peak (8303'), Telegraph peak (8985'), and Thunder peak (8587') in the Cucagmonga Wilderness.

Complete a 15+ mile overnight backpack on any of the following San Diego County segments

This award consists of a main patch and six rockers. The main patch must be earned first and the rockers are earned in pairs of the pass and the corresponding peak. The uniqueness of the peak awards is based around the lack of defined trails to the peaks. There is considerable skill and knowledge of the territory/ environment required to achieve these awards. The base elevation is around 10,000 feet and all the appropriate high altitude preparations must be made. This award can be earned retroactively (2000) and over a period of 5 years for the rockers.

Cottonwood Lakes/ Horseshoe Meadow award is earned by camping a minimum of 2 nights and hiking a minimum of 10 miles. A combination of nights is allowed at either camping location. Treks to the peaks can be used for the mileage requirement on the main patch

Take a backpacking trip for a minimum of seven (7) hours (based on two miles an hour and one hour for every 1000 feet gained) to a primitive camp on BLM land. Do not use roads if possible.

Backpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains traveling transversing them from west to east, or east to west.

This award was established to get Units away from the more popular areas and trails by having them use the many trans-Sierra Trails.

Backpacking trip must start at Camp Whitsettand end at Whitney Portal. Minimum time on trail - 10 days and 9 nights, backpacking distance must be a minimum distance of 95 to 100 miles (50 hrs.), Days and nights spent at Camp Whitsett are not counted toward trip days.

Backpacking trip must start and end at Camp Wolverton, Sequoia National Park. Minimum time on trail - 6 days and 5 nights, backpacking distance must be a minimum distance of 50 to 55 miles (25 hrs.), days and nights spent at Camp Wolvertondo not count toward hike.

Complete an approved Long Term trip consisting of a minimum of:

a. 25 scheduled backpacking hours on the trail.

b. 6 nights and 5 days on the trail.

c. Carrying all food and equipment needed for trek on back. (No pack animals or food drops).

Plan a trip of 15 or more backpacking hours round trip to a wilderness base camp (use standard allowance of one hour for each two miles hiked, plus one hour for each 1000 feet of elevation gained).

Plan an additional 20 or more hiking hours (packs not required) from and around the wilderness base camp. The hiking hours may be for the purpose of sightseeing, exploration, peak bagging, etc. Minimum time on the trail and in the backcountry - six (6) days and five (5) nights.

Backpack 2+ nights on trails near the Camp Silver Fir in the Western Sierras, east of Fresno/Clovis.

The Basic patch can be earned by hiking from Camp Three Fallsvia Sheep Camp, Sawmill Mt. to Condor Observation Point at Mt. Pinos and return the same way back to camp. An overnight camp is required, and Sheep Camp is recommended. At Mt. Pinosa group picture must be taken.

Backpack 6-7 days, approximately 53 miles. Start North from Kennedy Meadows campground to Beck Meadow. Then skirt the South edge of Monache Meadows westerly over to Broder Meadow. On to Smith Cow Camp on Fish Creek and up and over the ridge and down to Beach Meadows Guard Station. Downhill to Rattlesnake Creek then up to Bonita Meadow through Curtiss Meadow Guard Station crossing the head waters of Trout Creek, over Sherman Pass and through Round Mosquito, and Deadwood Meadow and Pine Flat leaving the Plateau into Kern River Gorge. Downhill passing Forest Service Corral, Camp Owensto Kern River Fish Hatchery -- trails end!

Backpack 6-9 days, approximately 50 miles from Onion Valley west over Kearsarge Pass. Then South over Forester Pass, following the John Muir Trail to Trails Crest. (Mt. Whitney may be part of this trip also). Continue from Trail Crest to Whitney Portal. The route may be reversed, but is more strenuous.

The National Medal for Outdoor Achievement is the highest recogni­tion that a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout can earn for exemplary achieve­ment, experience, and skill in multiple areas of outdoor endeavor.

The Troop or Post must plan and participate in an historic activity.

The Lopez Canyon Backpack is designed to be done overnight and has a duration of about 10 backpack hours. It is intended to enhance knowledge and appreciation of the relationships between land and water are the variety of uses that man has devised for these two primal natural resources. The start is Lopez Canyonwhere Lopez Canyon Roadturns north-west, 2.9 miles beyond the gate entrance for Camp French. The route travels up Lopez Canyon for 4.0 miles along the unimproved Lopez   Canyon Road to the Big Falls Canyon trail junction. One option is to visit the Big Falls along the 1.2 mile side-trail. The backpack continues up Lopez Canyon along U.S.F.S. trail for 3.2 miles to the primitive Sulfur Pots Campground with its characteristic odor. Upper Lopez Campground is located another 1.0 miles north along the trail. The overnight stay can be done at either Sulfur "Pots or Upper Lopez Campgrounds. The next day, continue on the trail about 0.9 miles above Upper Lopez Campground; then the Canyon and trail take an abrupt turn to the West. Continue on the trail 2.1 miles upslope to the U.S.F.S. Trailhead on the East Cuesta Ridge. Follow the East Cuesta Ridge in a north-westerly direction for 4.8 miles to finish the backpack at the Cuesta Pass gate.

WARNING: THIS BACKPACK SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED IN RAINY WEATHER; BACKPACKING IN THE CANYON BECOMES VERY HAZARDOUS UNDER THIS CONDITION

This awaes is designed to encourage outings in the snow.

This segment can be earned by taking the minimum 5 hour scheduled backpack trip along any of the many no longer used routes of the settlers of the Basin and Range or now abandoned railway right of ways of the Basin and Range.

Any of the following hikes may be taken to qualify for the MOJAVE DESERT SEGMENT. The canoe trip does not require the backpack portion of this requirement, but does require an adult with a current CPR card and one night camping at a remote site near the river. Information may be found in pamphlets, maps, and books from the National Park Service and other books. Always check in at the Visitors Centerfor local conditions before starting out.

Any of the following hikes may be taken to qualify for the GREAT BASIN SEGMENT. Information may be found in Backpacking Death Valley, by Chuck Gebhardt, or pamphlets, maps, and books from the National Park Service at Death Valley or the Death Valley Natural History Association. Always check in at the Visitors Center for local conditions before starting out.

Summit Mt. Langley (14,026') as part of a backpacking trek through the Sierras.

Take a hike of at least 15 miles (or 7-1/2 hours scheduled back pack time) along the El Camino Real.

Complete 6 backpacking Treks which qualify for "High Sierra Segments" in 6 different areas of the 10 described in the High Sierra Segments in this chapter.

This is an indicator patch to show where a High Adventure Backpack Award was earned and so may be earned in conjunction with any High Sierra Backback Award.

Take a Backpack along any existing section of the California Riding & Hiking Trail in Southern California, in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park or in the Cleveland National Forest.

Complete 5+ day backpack on the Santa Ana River Trail around Barton Flats, then back through the San Gorgonio Wildernes to Angles Oaks.

Backpack segments of the West - East High Sierra Trail between Sequoia National Park and Mt. Whitney.

Backpack 5+ days on the following:

Trail must be entirely within the portion of the Sierras bounded on the north by Highway 88 (the southern boundary of El Dorado County) and on the south by an imagined east-west line just below Lake Thomas A, Edison. This is the area covered in Sierra North by Thomas Winnett, et al., an excellent resource for selecting and planning a trek.

Complete a 5+ day backpacking trek on any public lands.

This award recognizes those persons who have earned a longterm backpacking award and have performed LAAC-HAT approved conservation work in the same calendar year.

Backpack in a state or county park.

Complete the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim backpacking trek.

This award is sponsored by the Tribe of Tahquitz to promote backpacking in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Climb the "Nine Peaks" of the San Gorgonio Massif in the following order: San Gorgonio (11,502'), Jepson (11,201'), Little Charlton (10,676'), Charlton (10,815'), Alta Diablo (10,430'), Shield's (10,701'), Anderson (10,864'), San Bernardino East (10,691'), and San Bernardino (10,624'). The trip may be done from San Bernardino peak to San Gorgonio peak if desired. There is no maximum time for the trip. However, it must be done as a single trip with no resupply.

Complete a long term backpack trek in the Sierras and catch a golden trout by any legal means.

Camp at least one night in Red Rock Canyon State Park or somewhere else in the Mojave Desert.

A conservation award established by Troop 317 of Canoga Park, CA. to honor the Rangers of Angeles National Forest for their hard work and dedication to nature and the environment, and for their strong support of the Boy Scouts of America Trail Boss Programs.

This award is for those who have achieved 200 mile of hiking on local trails.

The Silver Knapsack Trail is recommended for the group with little or no backpacking experience who would like to try it on their own.

Trip must start and end at Camp Whitsett. Minimum time on trail - 6 days and 5 nights, backpacking distance must be a minimum distance of 43 to 50 miles (25 hrs.), Days and nights spent at Camp Whitsettare not counted toward trip days.

Backpacking Trip must start at Camp Wolvertonand ends at Camp Whitsett. Minimum time on trail - 10 days and 9 nights, backpacking distance must be a minimum of 95 to 100 miles (50 hours). Days and nights spent at Camp Wolverton or Camp Whitsett are not counted towards trip days.

Plan a trip of 25 or more backpacking hours - Anywhere in the mountains, deserts, coast or any combination of these. Minimum time on trail - 6 days and 5 nights.

This award was developed in honor of Patrick Aubuchon, long-time leader and teacher of high adventure. He introduced many Scouts and leaders to backpacking, conservation and trail boss activities, and was awarded the BSA's William T Hornaday Gold Medal.

Earn either the Dinkey Lakes Loop Trail Award or the Silver Fir Trail Award, and make a presentation about outdoor ethics and the HornadayAward.

Backpack the Dinkey Lakes Loop over the course of 5+ days in the Western Sierras.  Trailhead location is near Shaver Lake, east of Fresno/Clovis.

Backpack the Los Padres National Forest to the Topatopa bluff.

Backpack 6-9 days, approximately 55 miles from North Lake over Paiute Pass to Blaney Meadows. Then Florence Lake where two routes may be followed. One travels up and over Hot Springs Pass to Long Meadows over Red Lake. From Red Lake to Camp Kern. The other route follows the road out from Florence Lake to Ward Laketo Bosillo Campgrounds. From Bosillo to Kaiser Passvia Luck Point Trail. From Kaiser Passto junction of Rancheria Creek and Kaiser   Pass Road. Then on to Camp Kern at Huntington Lake.

Backpack 3-4 days, approximately 25 miles starting at Whitney Portal, going up the Mt. Whitney Trail past Mirror Lake to Trails Crest and out North to the summit of Mt. Whitney. Return same route or by Consultation Lake to Whitney Portal.

The five National Outdoor Badges recognize a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout who demonstrates both knowledge and experience in camping, hiking, aquatics, riding, or adventure. Scouts earning the National Outdoor badges have demonstrated that they are knowledgeable, safe, and comfortable in the outdoor activity covered by the badge.

This is an overnight backpack of 7.5 - 8.5 backpack hours duration. It is intended to enhance knowledge and appreciation of the variety of environments near the Pacific Ocean on the Central Coast of California. The trailhead is at Morro Bay State Park Natural History Museum. The primary route winds through the State Park to the top of Black Hill and then down into the City of Morro Bay. A Clam Taxi ride provides access to the northern tip of the Morro Bay Strand, near the entrance of Morro Bay Harbor. The Clam Taxi is located at the Morro Bat Marina (phone: 805/772-8085). The long trek down the strand to Hazard Canyon should take tidal conditions into account. From Hazard Canyon, the trail ascends to Pecho Roadand turns south to the Montana de Oro Park Ranger Station. Follow the path along the bluffs to Coon Creek and turn east to rejoin Pecho road. Follow the road to the turnoff to your Environmental Camp. The E.C. is reserved by calling MISTIX (phone: 800/444-7275). Remember, none of the E.C. areas have any immediate water source. The alternative trail leads from Morro Bay State Park to South Bay Boulevard, turns west to Pine, proceeds south to Binscarth, leads west to Pecho Road, crosses over to Solano Street, and continues to the west end of Howard Street. From here, take a sandy path that parallels the edge of the Bay towards the sand dunes. Cross the sand dunes at a designated path to rejoin the primary trail. The backpack is completed on the second day by re-tracing the bluff trail to the Montana de Oro State Park Ranger Station.

Special award for being on an outing cut short by rain.

The purpose of this award is to encourage Scouts to experience a High Adventure by camping and backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

These segments are cumulative and can be earned by hiking to mountain peaks over 10,000 ft. in the Basin and Range. 3 peaks = 30,000 ft., 6 peaks = 60,000 ft., and 10 peaks = 100,000 ft.

This segment can be earned by hiking into 3 Ghost Towns in the Basin and Range area.

Any of the following hikes may be taken to qualify for the GREAT BASIN SEGMENT. Information may be found in Hiking Great Basin National Park, a Falcon Guide, or The Hikers Guide to Nevadaby Falcon Press.

These awards replace the Basin and Range Awards which have been in place from the 70’s through 2002. The new awards may be earned by fulfilling the requirements and having a Tour Permit dated no earlier than January 2003.

In redefining the awards and updating the patch, the Boulder Dam Area Council High Adventure Team hopes to encourage more Scouts and Scouters to enjoy the outdoors as well as develop an awareness of the recreation potential in the Basin and Range of Nevada, Arizona, California, and Utah.

In requiring that leaders complete the Basic Backpack Awareness course in order to earn the award, the High Adventure Team hopes to develop the abilities and self-confidence within the Basin and Range environment and give special recognition to Scouts and Leaders who use it.

THIS LIST IS INCOMPLETE. There are many areas that may equal or surpass the challenge, beauty and desirability of going on these specific outings. If you know of a place which would meet all the requirements, or have some special requirements to make it work, write up a short statement of the location and the information which makes you feel it deserves to be an award hike in the Basin and Range. Bring or send the information to:

Boulder Dam Area Council

7220 S. Paradise Road

Las Vegas, Nevada 89119

Don’t forget to include your name, address and phone number.

Backpack and hike 106 cumulative miles over the course of multiple scouting events.  

The purpose of this medal is to motivate scouts who are relatively early in their scouting career with backpacking & hiking.  Mileage over the course of several trips quickly adds up, and before too long a scout will be able to proudly wear this "bling" on their uniform.  

Why 106 miles?  It is half the distance of the iconic John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, symbolizing the scout's achievement and also the fact that many more adventures still await!

Take an overnight backpack of at least 15 miles or 7½ hours scheduled backpack time along the original Trail of the Mormon Battalion.

Complete a backpack of 2 or 3 consecutive days with at least one night's camp at Little Round Valley, Round Valley, Tamarack Valley or the Summit.

Earn this 15-mile segment for backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail after earning the PCT Backpacking Award.

In September 1990, the Parents’ Committee of Troop 211, Torrance, CA, decided to create a special award to recognize the diverse, year-round High Adventure program that the Troop had experienced over the prior 20-plus years. As Lyle Whited had served as Assistant Scoutmaster/Hikemaster for over half that period, it also decided to put his name on it. For a number of years, this award was only offered to members of that Unit and of the local District. The LAAC-HAT is now making it available to anyone who has met its requirements.

Complete a 4+ day backpack on any public lands.

Backpack the 50 mile Silver Moccasins Trail in the San Gabriel Mountains.

This award program is designed to introduce Units to backcountry peak climbing. Units can earn the awards in the Southern California mountain regions that are within easy reach for one-day outings. It is hoped that the Unit will see mini-peak climbing as an opportunity to supplement its weekend or short-term backpacking program. Approved peaks have elevations of between 5,000 to 10,000 feet and require minimal off-trail or cross country hiking. 

A maximum of three peaks may be climbed for credit on a single outing; however, only two may be climbed on a single day. All eligible peaks are located in Southern California. An award is earned when 8, 16, and 24 (cumulative) different peaks from the approved list are climbed, and the other specific requirements are met.

This award was designed for a 3+ day backpacking trek anywhere on the Gabrielino National Recreation Trail, that goes from Chantry Flats to Windsor Drive, Altadena.

Backpack for 1 night or more in the snow.

Backpack in a National Park or National Monument.

Backpack a segment of the Grand Canyon.

Climb to the peak of Mt. Baden-Powell (9,399 ft.)

Summit Mt. San Bernardino Peak (10,649').