Location: Sierra Nevada & White Mountains
Cottonwood Lakes/ Horseshoe Meadow Award
Western Los Angeles County Council
3” DIA
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
Whitsett to Whitney
Western Los Angeles County Council
4” x 4”
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.
Silver Bearpaw
Western Los Angeles County Council
3” x 2”
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.
Paiute Trail
Southern Sierra Council
2½“ x 2½“
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.
106-Miler Backpacking Medal
Orange County
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!
Jim Hawkins Mountaineering Medal
Orange County
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.
Mini-Peak Bagger Award
Greater Los Angeles
3'' x 3''
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.
Silver Knapsack
Western Los Angeles County Council
4” x 4”
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.
Sequoia Trail
Western Los Angeles County Council
4” x 4”
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.
Golden Trout Trail
Southern Sierra Council
2½“ x 2½“
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.
Sierra South Award
Greater Los Angeles
3'' x 2½''
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.
Silver Cloud Trail
Western Los Angeles County Council
3” x 2”
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.
Patrick Aubuchon Conservation Award
Verdugo Hills Council
2” X 2”
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.
Kern Plateau Trail
Southern Sierra Council
2½“ x 2½“
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!
Monarch Trail
Southern Sierra Council
2½“ x 2½“
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.
Sierra North Award
Greater Los Angeles
3'' x 2½''
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.