OUTPOST HIKING AND CAMPING

Camp Pico Blanco Scout Reservation is fortunate to be located in the Los Padres National Forest adjacent to the Ventana Wilderness Area. This location opens up vast opportunities for Outpost Camping and Hiking. Every Scout unit should plan to take advantage of this opportunity.

While the entire wilderness area and national forest is open to the Boy Scouts of America, certain restrictions do apply. Every unit planning to go off camp property will need to obtain a wilderness permit. The camp administration will be happy to help facilitate these needs with adequate notice. (at least 24 hours)

Additional planning must be taken concerning the use of fire on Public Lands. The Public Lands are governed by the California Department of Forestry which sets the current fire change status.

It is extremely possible and most likely that open fires will NOT be permitted. Therefore, all Scout units should be prepared with backpacking stoves and fuel for their outpost activities.

There are many beautiful trails in Pico Blanco and the surrounding Los Padres National Forest and Ventana Wilderness available to all levels of availability. We strongly encourage that troops and patrols take advantage of these trails and expose themselves to the challenges of this back country. Leaders should check with their commissioner no later than 24 hours before their troop or patrol plans to go on an overnighter or if they wish to take and extended hike. (Some of the trails require a staff guide).

In addition to the overnight hikes, there are many day hikes which can be taken, some for as little as an hour, and others for an entire day. Hikes can be excellent patrol activities. One of the most popular hikes is to the top of Mt. Pico Blanco. Pico Blanco offers a variety of nature hikes, bird hikes, varmint hikes and a star hike.

Hiking the trails of Pico Blanco could be one of your troop's high points during its week in camp. Plan on it!! CAMP PICO PUBLIC

5 MILES, 3 HOURS --- Located on the south fork of the Little Sur River at the base of Mt. Pico Blanco. If you wish, from this base camp, 5 hours must be allotted to get to the top of the mountain. Fishing and swimming are both good. Plan to take a cold lunch for the trail, and eat dinner and breakfast in camp. Two fireplace stoves, unlimited sleeping capacity.

LAUNTZ CREEK PUBLIC CAMP

4 MILES, 2.5 HOURS --- Good trail and scenery. Located on Launtz Creek, a tributary of the Little Sur. Look for signs of where the Indians have been; piles of sea shells and pot holes in the rocks. Fishing and swimming are good. Cook dinner and breakfast at Launtz Creek and have a trail lunch on the way back. One fireplace stove, one table, sleeping capacity for 15 people.

JACKSON PUBLIC CAMP

2 MILES, 1 HOUR, 5 MINUTES --- Just a hop, skip and a jump across the river from Fish Camp. Plan meals the same. Fishing is fair and swimming is excellent. One fireplace stove, 1 table, capacity is 20.

TIN SHACK CAMP

8 MILES, 5 HOURS --- Located in a beautiful flat in the upper reaches of the north fork of the Little Sur River. Swimming is fair, fishing is excellent (better, further up-stream!). Plan to take two trail lunches and cook dinner and breakfast at Tin Shack. Two fireplace stoves, 1 table, and unlimited sleeping capacity.

VADO PUBLIC CAMP

6 MILES, 4 HOURS --- Located in beautiful redwoods on the south fork of the Little Sur River. Fishing and swimming are both excellent. Plan to cook dinner and breakfast at Vado, and have lunch on the trail on the way back. One fireplace stove, 1 table, and sleeping capacity for 15.

FISH CAMP

2 MILES, 1 HOUR --- Located in Diable Canyon on the Little Sur River. Makes a good hike for the beginner. Leave Pico Blanco after lunch and cook breakfast and dinner at Fish Camp. Fishing is fair, swimming is excellent. Two fireplace stoves, unlimited sleeping capacity.

FOX CAMP

5 MILES, 2.5 HOURS --- Rock hop from Jackson to Fox Camp which is located at the fork of the Little Sur River and Ventana Creek. A short hike up the Little Sur River from fox Camp brings you to the beautiful circular pools and waterfalls. Great swimming and good fishing. Leave Pico Blanco after lunch, eat dinner and breakfast at Fox Camp, and have a trail lunch on the way back. One fireplace stove and sleeping capacity for 15 people.

LITTLE SUR PUBLIC CAMP 2 Miles, 1 HOUR --- Leave Pico Blanco after lunch and rock hop from Pioneer Camp to this beautiful campsite. Cook dinner and breakfast at Little Sur and be back in Pico Blanco in time for lunch. One fireplace stove and unlimited sleeping capacity