On the weekend of February 9 – 10, 2008, 21 scouts and adults hiked the Balantine Trail along Camp Creek to explore the northern part of the Four Peaks Wilderness.  The weather was perfect and the trail only moderately difficult.  Many of us have passed by this trailhead on many occasions while traveling to Payson on Highway 87.  This was our chance to explore it!  We made our way to an old ranch house and discovered a slaughtered cow!  Yuck!  We quickly decided to camp in a different place!  We found a nice campsite along the running creek and spent the afternoon exploring (the boys found a small cave) and enjoying the great scenery!  Nearby Pine Mountain was snow covered and the runoff fed the normally dry creekbeds.  After dinner and several great stories from Mr. Chadwick, everyone quickly fell asleep to the sound of running water. 

This was a great backpacking trip and quite a gem given how close it is to Phoenix.

Mr Saba.