Introduction to Hiking (5-7 mile hike) (2/1/25)

While hiking along the Sunol Wilderness Trail, which was approximately seven and a half miles long, we were fortunate to enjoy wonderful weather for most of the hike. As we climbed higher towards the top, however, the weather began to turn — a light drizzle began to fall, and the wind started to pick up, bringing a welcome and fresh element to the climb. The hike was not impacted by the change in the weather, though, and was still a good beginning to what would be numerous future Merit Badge hikes. Along the way, we were blessed with sightings of plenty of wildlife, including

beautiful peacocks, friendly doves, hordes of insects, and even roaming turkeys walking through the grasslands. The scenery along the hike was breathtaking; from the higher sections of the trail, we saw pretty views of the Bay Area spread out below us under the changing skyscapes. What made this hike so magical was how it reminded us to connect with nature  and each other— filling our lungs with clean air, having the open landscape envelope us, and being surrounded by the loveliness of the wild. This hike was an experience none of our scouts will ever forget because we all connected together as a troop and learned so much about each other. It was one of those kinds of days that left us energized and counting down the days until the rigorous hikes.