Black Rock Canyon · June 13–14, 2026
Eagle Rock Troop 188

Joshua Tree
Desert Campout

Black Rock Canyon Campground  ·  June 13–14, 2026

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Friday early arrival — optional

We may put together a small contingent leaving Friday June 12 around 10am to arrive a day early, space permitting. No commitment — just let us know if you're interested and we'll reach out if spots open up.

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Meet at Eagle Rock City Hall. Bring sack lunch, grab-and-go Sunday breakfast, and all gear. Fire ban starts June 15 — campfires allowed our nights.

☀ Saturday, June 13
  • 7:30 am
    Meet at Eagle Rock City Hall
  • 8:00 am
    Depart for Black Rock Canyon
    ~2h 40min via I-10 and Hwy 62
  • 10:30 am
    Arrive · set up camp
    Assemble solar ovens and orient toward the sun before lunch
  • Noon
    Sack lunch at camp
  • 12:00 pm
    Black Rock Nature Center
    Open 12–4pm (hours may vary in summer — call ahead). Junior Ranger badges, exhibits, AC
  • 12–2 pm
    Siesta · shade activities
    Knot tying · map & compass · scout rank work · rock temp experiment · rest
  • 2:00 pm
    Depart for Hidden Valley
    40 min drive · AC on = rolling siesta
  • 2:40 pm
    Rock scrambling at Hidden Valley
    1-mile boulder loop · scouts can free-scramble most walls · stay hydrated
  • 4:30 pm
    Depart Hidden Valley · return to camp
  • 5:15 pm
    Dinner — foil packet cooking
    Cooking merit badge opportunity · each scout makes their own over campfire coals · document for merit badge
  • 7:45 pm
    Chill time · watch sunset
    Sunset 7:57pm · switch to red lights only · no white flashlights or phone screens
  • 8:30 pm
    Astronomy session begins
    3–5% moon — near-perfect dark sky. Milky Way, constellations, ISS spotting, meteor counting
  • 10:00 pm
    Bedtime
🌄 Sunday, June 14
  • 6:00 am
    Wake up
    Sunrise 5:33am
  • 6:15 am
    Morning hike — Black Rock Canyon Trail
    3.5 miles · easy · starts from camp · back by 8am before heat builds
  • 8:00 am
    Grab-and-go breakfast
    Granola bars · fruit · bagels — no cooking needed
  • 8:30 am
    Break down camp · pack vehicles
  • 9:30 am
    Depart Black Rock
  • 12:10 pm
    Arrive back in Eagle Rock

Personal scout kit — leaders and adults will handle group water, navigation, and first aid.

Sun & heat protection
  • Wide brim hat
    Must cover neck and ears — not a baseball cap
  • Sunscreen
    Apply before leaving the car, bring enough to reapply
  • Sunglasses — UV protective
  • Bandana
    Wet for instant neck cooling, doubles as dust cover
Hydration
  • Water bottle — 2L minimum
    Fill before every activity
  • Electrolyte packets — 2 to 3 per scout
    Water alone isn't enough in desert heat
Clothing
  • Light jacket or hoodie
    Nights drop fast at 4,000 ft — especially during astronomy
  • Closed-toe shoes with grip
    Essential for Hidden Valley scrambling — no sandals or slip-ons
  • Long pants
    Rocks are scratchy
  • Broken-in socks
    No new socks on a hiking day — desert blisters are serious
  • Change of clothes for Sunday
Sleeping
  • Sleeping bag
    Mid-June nights at 4,000 ft can drop to the low 60s
  • Sleeping pad
  • Small pillow
    Or stuff a jacket into a stuff sack
Eating
  • Mess kit
    Plate, bowl, cup, utensils
  • Dish soap and small scrubber
    For post-dinner cleanup
  • Personal snacks for the drive and trail
Gear
  • Red-lens headlamp with fresh batteries
    Required for astronomy and night camp — no white lights
  • Gloves
    For rock scrambling at Hidden Valley
  • Pocket knife
    Standard scout carry, useful for foil packet cooking
  • Small daypack for hikes and Hidden Valley
Toiletries
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Biodegradable soap
  • Toilet paper
Leave at home: phones unless leader approved · earbuds · anything you'd be upset to lose or break on rocks

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