We are blessed with great weather in California (sometimes too great), but it’s not always sunshine and balmy evenings, and a scout has to “be prepared”. This month, a combination of local regulations / restrictions on Calero couple with a storm front made canoeing a no-go. Instead, the hills around our designation offer a wide range of trails, many of which are new to the Troop, and so our Plan B was a day hike in the Calero foothills.
Trip Report: Elkhorn Slough 2311
Always beautiful (providing it isn’t raining) and full of wildlife, the Slough didn’t disappoint in 2023. With sea birds, fish and – providing you keep your distance – glimpses of Sea Otters – it feels much richer in nature than some of the inland lakes the Troop paddles.
To align with the tide flow, the Troop started upstream from Kirby Park – this provided ample space to prep, and let the Troop travel with the ebb tide rather than fighting what was a reaosnable tide that day.
Dodging the road bridge, the team made it comfortably to the harbor and had lunch, washed the canoes and headed to sunset beach for a camp, and beach activities. With the winter sun coming early, it wasn’t long before it was time for some classic Pacific Coast sunset shots on the beach. And a retreat to warm fires and sleeping bags!