A chill swept through the morning air as the Trailmen laced up their boots. The crew from Troop CA-0110 stood on the edge of Agnew Meadows, eyes cast toward the distant peaks that stretched across the California High Sierra. Their journey would take them over fifty rugged miles, pushing them up to 11,000 feet, testing their endurance and unity, their skill and grit. Seven days with no easy way out. With one last glance toward the horizon, they embarked on what would be one of the most formative weeks of their lives.
In the summer of 2024,Trail Life Troop CA-0110 set out on an unforgettable High Adventure—a rugged, 50-mile trek through California’s High Sierra Mountains, ending at the breathtaking meadows of Yosemite National Park. What began as a scenic hike quickly turned into a journey that tested the grit and faith of every Trailman involved. For these boys, the High Sierra wilderness wasn’t just a backdrop—it was an uncompromising teacher.
Starting at Agnew Meadows in Inyo National Forest, the crew prepared to face elevations over 11,000 feet. As they trekked through the towering pines and open meadows, they began to grasp the immensity of what lay ahead. "It’s wild out here," one of the boys remarked, his voice equal parts awe and anticipation. By midday, their packs felt twice as heavy, and even the strongest among them struggled up the steep inclines.
Then, the real challenge emerged. Snowfields stretched across their path, icy expanses that glinted under the midday sun. Strapping on crampons and gripping trekking poles, they moved slowly, carefully. "Mind the ice bridges," their leader cautioned, pointing out thin patches over hidden streams. A misplaced step could mean a dangerous fall.
These snowfields, with their hidden ice bridges covering rushing streams below, demanded skill and vigilance to cross safely. In this harsh terrain, one wrong step could spell disaster, and the boys had to learn quickly to detect danger and rely on each other to get through.
Far from civilization, their only “exit” was a full day’s hike back to Mammoth Mountain. During the week-long trek, the group could only return on Saturdays, when the road opened to shuttles; otherwise, the trailhead remained isolated, with access restricted by road construction. This meant no easy way out—no option to quit. Safety and communication became non-negotiable, and each Trailman was pushed far beyond his comfort zone.
On one particularly grueling day, the crew had to re-route due to ice-covered paths, retracing their steps for eight miles. At another point, an adult leader had to be evacuated due to an infection and altitude sickness. Even a brief separation of a Trailman from the group added tension, though both he and his patrol handled it with remarkable calm, quickly reuniting. As they navigated each challenge, one thing became clear: this wasn’t a hike; it was a crucible, where perseverance and teamwork were the only ways forward.
In Trail Life, we often talk about how adventure shapes boys into godly men. Sometimes, growth happens gradually. Other times, it’s as if you can see character forming right before your eyes. When are boys today truly challenged to persevere without an easy out? How many are protected from struggle and never given the chance to see what they’re capable of? There are times in every man’s life when the only way out is through. But boys need the chance to experience that reality to become the kind of men who can rise to the occasion.
Strong men who can do hard things don’t appear by chance—they’re trained. If boys are always given the option to tap out when things get tough, they miss the opportunity to develop the inner strength to overcome. But boys inspired by faith and surrounded by a brotherhood grow the kind of character that stands firm, unmoved by life’s storms. In Troop CA-0110, this adventure was exactly that: a chance for each young man to grow through perseverance, overcoming the physical and mental trials along the trail.
Yet the trip wasn’t just about physical challenges. The boys of CA-0110 added a spiritual dimension to their journey, recognizing that Creation is a great place to worship God. Every morning and evening, the group gathered for devotions, with each Trailman and adult leader taking turns leading worship, prayer, and Scripture. For some, it was their first time guiding others in worship. Their First Officer even sparked deep discussions on biblical theology, helping each boy connect the natural beauty around them with their faith.
One afternoon, as the sun began to dip low in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the jagged peaks and softening the shadows of the valley below, the group of Trailmen found a quiet moment to pause. The exhaustion from a day of hiking was etched on their faces, yet as they took in the view, a profound sense of peace settled over them. Crisp mountain air filled their lungs, and the faint scent of pine drifted past, mingling with the earthy fragrance of the forest floor.
Breaking the silence, one of the adult leaders cleared his throat. “Boys,” he began, his voice a low rumble softened by emotion. “Look around you for a moment. Take it in—all of it.”
The boys turned their heads, following his gaze across the vast expanse of the mountains, their eyes tracing the rolling ridges that stretched endlessly toward the horizon. Shadows danced along the edges of cliffs, and birds soared high above, their calls echoing faintly in the distance.
“Isn’t it incredible,” he continued, his voice reverent, “that the same God who shaped every one of these mountains, who carved these valleys, also cares about each one of us?”
One of the boys examined the surrounding peaks thoughtfully, “Do you think God made it look this way just for us to see it?”
“Maybe so,” the adult leader replied, his eyes crinkling with a warm smile. “God’s creativity is on display out here, and it’s an invitation—to wonder, to worship, to remember that we’re part of something far greater than ourselves. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!”
The boys began to sing a song of worship, their voices echoing clear and strong in the mountain air. It’s easier to see and feel that God is holy when one is quiet, immersed in His creation as it testifies to its Maker’s splendor.
This adventure gave the boys more than survival skills. They learned to plan, adapt, make tough decisions, overcome discomfort, and operate as a patrol—skills that will serve them in every future role, whether as fathers, pastors, teachers, or leaders in their communities. They grew not only as individuals but as a unified team, learning the value of commitment, responsibility, and reverence for the Creator.
For their incredible High Adventure, Troop CA-0110 earned a Trail Life branded trailer as one of two winners of the inaugural Trail Worthy Adventures grant .In recognition for accomplishing this exemplary High Adventure, Troop CA-0110 was awarded a new, Trail Life branded trailer as one of two winners of the inaugural Trail Worthy Adventures grant program.
