Hiking Highlander Hikes

Started in 2003, the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council's Highlander program encourages youth in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing to experience the outdoor wonders. The program is a series of 14 progressive hikes with a center patch awarded with the first hike and a rocker for each hike. Patches are available for purchase at the MDSC Trading Post, or by mail order.

Anderson Marsh The hike is done at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and is about 4-5 miles with an elevation change of 80 feet. Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located just off Highway 53 between Lower Lake and Clearlake. Park hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm, Wednesday through Sunday. http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highanderson.shtml

Bald Mountain Bald Mountain is located at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. The hike is 5 miles with a total elevation change of 3,000 feet. If you're feeling energetic, it's possible to combine this hike with the Mt. St. Helena hike, which is a short driving distance. The park also houses one of the largest public viewing telescopes: a 40-inch telescope at the Ferguson Observatory that can be rented with the group campsite. http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highbald.shtml

Black Diamond. Trail length is variable between 2 to 8 miles along with elevation changes and is located at Black Diamond Mines. There is an actual mine available for tours. There are two camping areas in Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. Reservations are required for both--call (510) 562-2267. Neither camping area has water, so water must be transported in. http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highbd.shtml Camp and park information: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/black.htm

Boggs Mountain. The trail is 4.7 miles long with an elevation change of 360 feet. Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest: No fee. Year-round camping. A permit is required for more than 10 people or longer than a 1-day stay. Campfires and use of gas stoves are limited to Calso and Ridge camps. There are 15 sites at Calso Camp. Ridge Camp has two developed sites suitable for groups. No water is available at camp areas. Call (707) 928-4378 for more information. http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highboggs.shtml Campsite information: http://www.fire.ca.gov/php/rsrc-mgt_boggsmtn.php

Briones. Hike within Briones to earn this segment. Trails vary between 2 to 6 miles in length. Briones is an ideal park for hikers, runners, and horseback riders. There are five major access points, of which the two most developed are the Alhambra Creek Valley Staging Area off Reliez Valley Road near Martinez, and the Bear Creek Road Staging Area near Orinda and Lafayette. Hike informaton: http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highbriones.shtml Briones park information: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/briones.htm

Mt. Diablo. Hikes vary from 2 to 8 miles in length. Mt. Diablo has a great museum at the summit and the views are unparalleled due to the surrounding geography. Fossils, caves and bouldering are other favorite activities besides hiking. There are 3 group campsites. Hike information: http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highdiablo.shtml Park information: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=517

Dorn Trail. The trail is 3 miles in length with an elevation change of 300 feet and is located at Clear Lake State Park. There is a group campsite that can accommodate 50 people. http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highdorn.shtml Park information: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=473

Fages Trail. Since the Fages Trail was established in 1973, it has been hiked by more than 15,000 people. It is a favorite of Scout groups throughout the area. Boy Scouts typically hike the full 10.4 mile loop. The OA chapter also runs a supervised 20 mile hike twice a year. http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highfages.shtml

Goat Rock The 9 mile hike is located in the Cow Mountain Recreation Area and between Ukiah and Lakeport. Cow Mountain RA is operated by the BLM. The first 2 1/2 miles is steep. Halfway to Goat Rock, the trail peaks at an elevation of 2938 feet with a beautiful view of Clear Lake. The trail continues on down off the side of the ridge another couple miles concluding at Goat Rock where there are two picnic tables with firegrates. Goat Rock is huge (maybe 50 feet high) with the best access from the right side of the rock. Use your best judgment. http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highgoat.shtml BLM Cow Mountain: http://www.ca.blm.gov/ukiah/cowmtn.html

Mt. Konocti This 6 mile hike is also located within the Cow Mountain Recreation Area. This trail will follow the mountain up through privately owned orchards which are the highest and most scenic in Lake County. At the top of these orchards is a grove of 500 year old oak and the original homesteader's cabin built in 1903. From here you may also visit one of the peaks. http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highkonocti.shtml BLM Cow Mountain: http://www.ca.blm.gov/ukiah/cowmtn.html

Mt. St. Helena This 7-mile hike is located at Robert Louis Stevenson Park in Napa County. There is a 3,500-feet elevation change. Nearest camping facility is Sugarloaf Ridge SP. Hike Information: http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highhelena.shtml Park information: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=472

Las Trampas Trail lengths vary between 2 to 7 miles at the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon. The Corral Area can be reserved for overnight group camping. http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/hightrampas.shtml Park information: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/lastram.htm

Redbud Trail Trail Length is 5 miles (to Baton Flats and back) and is on BLM's Cache Creek management area. The North Fork Trailhead provides parking, maps, and information for hiking. Hike information: http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highredbud.shtml BLM Cache Creek management area: http://www.ca.blm.gov/ukiah/cachecreek.html

Snow Mountain Begin at the Summit Springs Trailhead and follow the trail up to East Peak, Snow Mountain's highest point. The hike is 7.5 miles and is in the Mendocino National Forest. Hike information: http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/highsnow.shtml Park information: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino/recreation/wild/snowmt/

Patch order link: http://www.bsa-mdsc.org/files/highlander.pdf