Troop 5 Scouts Take On Rich Mountain Hike

The last weekend in February, Scout Troop 5 of Hope camped at Sugar Creek Lodge at Wolf Pen Gap east of Mena.  The resort lies on either side of the scenic Cossatot River.

Clear water, water falls, and rapids provided a pleasant setting for the scouts.  Staying in cabins, 14 scouts completed the 14 mile Rick Mountain Hike from the base of the mountain to the Queen Wilhelmina State Lodge at the top.

Those completing the 7 to 8 mile hike included Jr. Assistant Scoutmaster Hunter Mathis, Senior Patrol Leader Joshua Henley, Riley Golden, Baker Alexander, Mary Martinez, Mackenzie Golden, D’Aunna Golden, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Emma Wright, Chris Golden, Jay Johnson, Zoe Fincher, Jennifer Martinez, Drake Mathis, and Donnie Golden.

To honor 2 Scouts who recently passed away, the Rick Mountain Hikers carried 2 walking sticks.  One belonged to the late Scoutmaster J.W. Rowe and the Eagle Walking Stick belonging to George Norrell.

These Scouts earned the rare Gold 50th Anniversary Rich Mountain Hike Patch.

Other Scouts were Jessilynn Schmidt, Kody O’Brien, Jerrilynn Golden, Tina Kisselberg, Kevin O’Brien, Robert Wright, Dr. Lester Sitzes, and Scoutmaster Karen Smith.

Meals under the supervision of Donnie Golden and Scoutmaster Karen Smith were hot dogs and smoked chicken with rolls.

The group enjoyed a great feast at the Wilhelmina Lodge Restaurant.  Thanks to Tyson for the donation of the chicken.

The trip was made possible with other donations from Hope Auto, the Norrell Family, Dr. Donald Sitzes, John Henley, and Ed Flagg.

Troop 5 is sponsored by Hope’s First United Methodist Church’s Century Bible Class.