Take a hike of 5 miles along the El Camino Real.

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 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.

This award is given to Scouters by the Forest/Trail Conservation Committee of the LAACHAT. It is earned when the Scouter accomplishes the following tasks.

This award program recognizes individual participation in forestry and associated construction and maintenance projects. This participation can be as part of a Unit service project or an Eagle project. There are three categories of projects 

There are three categories of projects: 

Campsite: campground or trail camp development, improvement, maintenance, and rehabilitation 

Wildlife: habitat restoration, browse-way improvement, construction and maintenance of feeders and waterers, etc. 

Forestry: plantation clearing, tree planting, tree thinning and pruning, etc..

Through-trek the John Muir Trail, either from north (Happy Isles) to south (Whitney Portal), or from south to north, in one continuous 212 mile backpacking trek.

Earn all three of the following High Adventure Awards

• US Mormon Battalion Trail Award

• El Camino Real Award

• De Anza Trail Award

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').

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.

This award challenges the backpacker to help construct and maintain the trails on which he/she hikes. It is a unique privilege to hang these Silver Moccasins, when attached to a leather thong, from the right pocket button of the Scout shirt.

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

Earn all segments of the San Gabriel Trails Award.

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).

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

This award is presented to Scouters by the Forest/Trail Conservation Committee for continued service to the conservation programs of the USFS and the LAAC-HAT. It is not a matter of meeting a set of requirements, but of dedication to conservation. Jim Spencer was the initial recipient of this award, having set the standard for all of us

These awards were developed by the LAAC, in concert with the USDA-FS, to promote Unit participation in forest and trail conservation and construction projects. The initial award program, TrailSaver, was adopted in 1982 as a special activity to be offered for two years. It proved so successful that it was made permanent and has led to the adoption of a second award program, ForestSaver. All conservation work must have the prior approval as to what, where, when, and how from the proper USDA-Forest Service representative, or administrator for a location other than a National Forest. All work must be done under the direction of a person, typically a Trail Boss, assigned by that representative. 

Awards in these programs are earned when the participant performs 6,12,18, 24, and 30 hours of LAAC-HAT approved conservation work. Unit Leadership must also satisfy these General Requirements for the outing

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

Earn all segments of the San Bernardino Trails Award.