The plan
We meet at the church parking lot at 7am and drive together to the Mapleton Canyon trailhead in Right Fork. Hike up the Spanish Fork Peak trail for 4 miles, stopping at a small pond, then turn around. The last mile has some passable snow. Plan to be home between 3 and 5pm, with boys dropped at each home.
The point of this hike
This is an introduction to backpacking and a chance for leaders and youth to see where we stand on shoes, fitness, and preparation. The hike is steeper than what they will see getting to base camp at Dollar Lake, which makes it a useful pressure test. By carrying extra water we start building up to the roughly 20 pound pack the boys will target for Kings Peak.
Challenging but doable. Anyone who finishes Mapleton will finish Kings Peak.
What to bring
Wear
- Breathable T-shirt
- Lightweight hiking pants or shorts
- Hiking shoes (ideally the ones you will take to Kings Peak)
- Good hiking socks (wool or synthetic)
- Hat for sun
Pack
- Long sleeve shirt or light jacket for the morning
- Light gloves Optional (for snow patches)
- Backpacking backpack (the one for Kings Peak)
- Lunch and light snacks
- Water bottle or hydration pack
- 1-2 gallons of water (1 for drinking, 1 for pack weight)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and bug spray Share
- Water filter Optional
Eat Before You Arrive
Eat a real breakfast at home before showing up at the church. We do not stop for food on the way to the trailhead.
Read before the hike
Safety on the Trail
All youth pair up with a buddy and stay with them at all times. Adults do the same to maintain two deep leadership. Nobody goes in front of the lead adult. Nobody goes behind the rear adult. Youth must always be within sight and sound of an adult. The lead adult will stop at every mile to make sure the full group is accounted for. We bring a phone with satellite emergency messaging.
Pack Weight
Target 10-18 lbs for this hike. Use water as your weight, because you will drink it as you go and can dump it if needed. This is steeper than what they will see on Kings Peak, so it is a useful pressure test.
Fathers Welcome
We need drivers and extra adult supervision, and more importantly this is great father and son time. Come hike with your son.
Reward at the Top
Ice cream sandwiches are coming with us to the turnaround at the pond. Earn them.
RSVP
Please reply to the email or text Ryan Calder at 801.592.4486 for boys and fathers so we can plan accordingly.
Questions or comments: Bentley Folkman, YM Camp Director, 801.440.7162.