Another excellent HA Hike started-out by forming-up in the back lot of SUMC at 0800 hours.   The weather was calm, cool, and partly-cloudy. We arrived at the Raven Cliff Falls parking lot at 9:20, filling the last three parking spaces.   This lot is 1.2 miles beyond the Caesar's Head Ranger Station. We paid a $2.00 fee per adult, and filled-in the day-hike registry card.   As a scout is reverent, Chaplain's aid Mathew W. led us in a short prayer before heading for the trailhead across the road from the lot.   By 10:15 hours, we had attained the #11/#13 Red/Blue trail junction.    

At least three varieties of wild flowers were observed on the way.   Scout Matthew W. sustained a tick bite in the right calf at 10:24 hours.   Our Medic, Jacob R., cleaned the wound and applied a sterile covering.   By 10:40 hours, we had attained the waterfall overlook, where we took a group photograph.   From this spot one can see a suspension bridge across the head of the falls that we would cross later in the hike.   We left the overlook at 10:50 for the Dismal trail, #12, and by 1200 hours, we had left this trail, turning right on to trail 14.   By 12:15 we crossed Mathews Creek via cable crossing - this was a lot of fun.   We ate lunch at this spot.   Next was an uphill traverse to the head of the falls where we crossed the river via suspension bridge, which was very nice.   Near here we stopped at the river and were asked for some BandAids by some hikers wearing tennis shoes.    

We were prepared to provide not only BandAids but also moleskin to the hikers.   The next point of interest was the Cathedral, a shear rock face with dripping water.   The return via trail 13 was quite level and easy.   We showed the aforementioned, ill-prepared hikers with no map the way home.   We were off the trail by 1700 hours, and back to SUMC by 1800 hours.   Overall, the trek consisted of 8.3 miles along the Raven Cliff Falls Trail, the Dismal Trail, and the Gum Gap trail.    

Lessons-learned:     Clockwise transit of the 8.3 mile loop hike is preferred - it gets the hardest part over while the team is fresh.   Also, we used a lot of water per man, even though it was only 75-80F.  

Acknowledgement:     I would like to thank the scouts and scouters who turned-out to make this trip a success.

Scouts:     Matthew W., Carson H., Jacob R., Chris R., Josh S., and Reid F.

Scouters:     Mr. Sweet, Mr. Riddle, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Andrew

Respectfully Submitted,

Philip Andrew, ASM, T-159