RETIRED - San Gabriel Council

3'' x 4''

This award was developed by Crew 73 of the San Gabriel Valley Council to encourage units to visit and take advantage ot he many opportunities our National Parks, Monuments or Battlefields have to offer.

Western Los Angeles County Council

4” x 5½“

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.

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.

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.

Verdugo Hills Council

4” x 4”

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.

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.

Los Padres Council

4" x 3"

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

San Diego - Imperial

8½'' x 5''

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.

Greater Los Angeles

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

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.

Greater Los Angeles

6'' x 2''; segments @ 3'' x 3/4''

Backpack 50 mile segments of the John Muir Trail.

Orange County

4½“ Diameter

Summit Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevadas.

Orange County

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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.

Orange County

5'' x 2.5''

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

Western Los Angeles County Council

4” x 3”

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

Orange County

4'' diameter

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

San Diego - Imperial

1'' x 3'' segments

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.

Greater Los Angeles

6'' x 2''; segments @ 3'' x 2''

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

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.

Orange County

4'' x 6''

The purpose of this award is to recognize older scouts who serve in a leadership capacity to younger scouts during a long-term High Adventure backpack (minimum 6 days and 5 nights).

Orange County

4½“ Diameter

Summit White Mountain Peak in the White Mountain range east of the Sierras.

Inland Empire

2'' x 2'' patches

These awards were developed to encourage beginning hiking activities with advancement. They promote hiking and environmental awareness. The hikes can be completed within a day or over a weekend.

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

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.

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.

Verdugo Hills Council

4” x 4”

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

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.

Southern Sierra Council

2½“ x 2½“"

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.

Orange County

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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!

Orange County

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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.

Greater Los Angeles

4'' x 4''

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

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.

Orange County

4'' x 3''

Climb and summit Mt. Whitney in addition to camping in Death Valley and visiting Bad Water Basin, the lowest point in the United States.

Orange County

4½“ Diameter

Summit Eagle Scout Peak in the Sierra backcountry.

Inland Empire

Main Patch: 3½'' x 3''; Segments: 3 1/2'' x 1''

The former Old Baldy Council (presently CIEC) High Adventure Team developed this award for units who enjoy camping and exploring our national forests, but do not necessarily participate in backpacking.