5-Mile Hike for Second Class Rank Was Fun (And Tiring) For All

This trip, on the trails of the Ann Springs Close  Greenway,  was to help those scouts that needed the 5-mile hike to make Second Class rank. Six scouts and four adults were in attendance.

We departed Leroy Springs Complex at around 9:30 after a pep talk from the scoutmaster (who did not accompany us on the trip) and took the Complex Tunnel trail around the elementary and middle schools. We then walked along the creek until we came to the Springfield Parkway bridge and we then made our way toward the field trial barn. Once there, we had some lunch, had a demonstration on a penny stove which was made from aluminum cans and signed off a couple of other requirements.

Click Here To See The Trip Information In “Full Page” Mode

We then made our way down to the train trestle and and then downstream along the creek – crossing a couple of swinging bridges and taking a peak at the gristmill stone that marks the location of the original Webs Mill for which part of the town’s name is derived (Fort Mill). We then continued our trek along the creek back out to the Springfield Parkway bridge and then walked up the old Steele Street roadbed that is now just a trail when it was replaced by Springfield Parkway several years ago. We then jumped on another trail that we found to be a challenge to stay on because it was covered with downed leaves and wasn’t heavily traveled enough to pack down the ones that had fallen.

We were often treated to promises of “just another hour” or “its just around the corner” when the scouts begged for good news about the end of the hike. In the end, we ended up hiking about 6.15 miles. The GPS data only shows 5 miles, but there were several times when the GPS had cut off or was unable to get a signal to triangluate our position.

It was a good trip and a learning experience for those that might consider trail camping as opposed to car camping in the future.