Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Troop 332 - yeah, you HEARD us!!

Just wrapped up a successful visit to the Whitney Portal area with my Scout troop. Took 8 Boy Scouts, two Venturer Scouts (girls) and a 6 year old Girl Scout. Had a crew of 6 leaders along to try and keep order.

Camped in the family campground (lower half). Had sites 39-42 reserved. Four people were no shows and site 44 wasn't close enough so we squeezed into the 1st three. Offered to sell the extra space to a group who needed it but the camp host shot that down as against the rules. Didn't want to break the rules so the site sat empty and the other group left the Portal.

Set up camp and hiked up to the Portal to let the boys fish. Caught several and gave them to a great guy who was helping the boys. Checked out the waterfall and got some great pics.

Got an early start (for young boys anyway) after breakfast in camp and hit the trail to the lake. Some of our leaders aren't YET in top hiking shape so we went slow. One leader decided to wait at the portal and the rest of us made our way to the lake. The people we met along the way were great and the boys/girls really enjoyed the stroll. More fish were caught at the lake and we watched as another group went swimming.

A few hours later we headed out with a quick detour to the "Permit Required Past This Sign" sign. Pics might have been taken several inches on the "wrong" side.

On the way down we were the loud ones singing songs and annoucing to everyone on the mountain we were from Wildomar. Chants were made up concerning Portal burgers as well.

The Portal crew took fantastic care of us when we dropped in and ordered 16 burger plates and a grilled cheese sandwich. Less than half were eaten completely.

After more fishing at the pond we stopped to meet Laura's dad and sing her the scout "Moose" song before we headed back to camp to tell tall tales from our hike and to sing silly scout songs. At 0750 Sunday morning we were outside the store waiting for breakfast. 16 pankcakes were ordered - 1 leader (not me) and 4 boys completed theirs.

Thanks go out to the Portal staff - they took very good care of us and treated us like family. Everyone who made the trip is asking when we can come back.

To bad Doc and SoCal couldn't make it - we'll hook up soon..................................................DUG

DUGster... unfortunately a last minute ER visit kept me grounded for the weekend.

I understand that your boys were a sight to behold this weekend... Congrats on your successful "summit"... I'm glad the boys/girls had a good time.

We'll hook up soon... maybe I'll drag you and your BoyChild along when I get my Scouts up that way... my leadership is not in so much "trim" as yours is...

DUG, Your post reminds me of my Boy Scout days. Do you leaders still respond to the old question ("How much longer do we have to hike to get to camp") with:
1. It's just around the next bend
2. It's just over the next hill.
We sure heard those two answers a LOT.
Scouting is a great opportunity to expose some young people to the outdoors who might not have had the chance without you............steve

LOL - In the front I told the kids "It's RIGHT up THERE" while pointing slightly uphill.

We ended up splitting into two groups, with the 2nd group running 20 minutes behind. All the leaders had walkie talkies and after I had just got to the lake I got a call from the leader bringing up the rear. He wanted to know how much farther it was because one leader and two boys were moving pretty slow. I asked him if he had seen a waterfall or log bridge yet. He replied he had NOT. Trying not to be negative, I replied - "You're almost there then". Later that night around the campfire he asked how I could tell he was ALMOST there when he wasn't at either landmark I asked about. All he got from me was a smile.

I bunched the group up going down at the big sign and again at the last water crossing. Then I took those in the back who had worked so hard to do the hike and put them in the front to lead us off the trail. We came off as a very happy Troop.................................................DUG

Scouting is the best! I'm taking my Girl Scouts up to Cottonwood Basin this Thursday. This message board has been an outstanding resource for on the ground trail reports. The forest service website may be a month behind on updates, but all the info I needed I found right here -- thanks to all!

Attaboy Dug! I grew up in PA with scouting in the eastern forests a wonderful part of my childhood. Saved $ for a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in NM that opened my eyes to the mountains of the west. They remained a passion from then til now.

Bet you that some of the scouts you had at Whitney will be able to write a similar post many years from now - substituting the Portal for Philmont.

Esgle Scout here! No need to describe the virtues of Scouting to me!