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Heading upstream
Scout Troops 138 and 140 hit the Black Canyon to explore historical landmarks and refine their canoeing skills

Submitted photo<br>
Members of Boy Scout Troops 138 and 140 take a break on a beach during a four-day canoe journey on the Colorado River. Scouts that attended include Jeffrey Ellico, Braden Heap, Derrick Johnson, Colton Adams, Mariano Rodriguez, Braxton Brinkworth, Kyle Watson, Chris Shelton, Rafael Hernandez and Trevor Adkins. Adult leaders include Howard Jackson, Tom Hooker, Tod Skinner, Bryan Watson, Dillon Brancato, Mike Brinkworth, Filiberto Jaffo, Beau Bowdon and Kurt Johnson.

Submitted photo<br> Members of Boy Scout Troops 138 and 140 take a break on a beach during a four-day canoe journey on the Colorado River. Scouts that attended include Jeffrey Ellico, Braden Heap, Derrick Johnson, Colton Adams, Mariano Rodriguez, Braxton Brinkworth, Kyle Watson, Chris Shelton, Rafael Hernandez and Trevor Adkins. Adult leaders include Howard Jackson, Tom Hooker, Tod Skinner, Bryan Watson, Dillon Brancato, Mike Brinkworth, Filiberto Jaffo, Beau Bowdon and Kurt Johnson.

WILLIAMS - Williams Boy Scout Troops 138 and 140 participated in their annual canoe trip March 16-19. The scouts canoed the Colorado River in Black Canyon.

The trip began at Willow Beach, Ariz. where 10 scouts and nine adult leaders launched from the dock of the marina with nine canoes loaded with gear for a four-day exploration of the Black Canyon.

The group paddled approximately eight river miles upstream, passing historical sites like the Gaugers Station. They cat walked to natural wonders such as a depression in the canyon wall called the Emerald Cave and several hot springs courtesy of the geothermal activity prevalent in this area. Paddling upstream allows the Scouts to "read the river" and to better navigate a canoe in currents, eddys and back currents.

The first night of the trip is spent on the Nevada side of the river on "Jackson-Hooker Beach" where both scouts and leaders can fish and hike the nearby rock formations or Howard Jackson's personal favorite activity, doing nothing at all. Bighorn sheep are spotted high on the cliffs on the Arizona side of the river; these animals can be found throughout this canyon.

The second day the group paddled upstream, where the canyon walls dwarfed their canoes. The campsite is located at the popular Arizona Hot Springs on the Arizona side of the river. The spring pools are hot - 100+degrees. This location offers hiking trails with camping areas to accommodate large groups, two outhouses and easy access to Arizona Hot Springs up the canyon.

The third day, the group traveled approximately five miles and explored Boy Scout Canyon and Gold Strike Canyon. Both canyons have numerous hot springs, wonderful rock formations and weeping walls with amazing, colorful growths of algae and ferns.

The fourth and final day the scouts enjoyed a easy paddle downstream back to Willow Beach with a stop at Golden Corral for a well deserved feast in Kingman then on to Williams.

Scouts participating included Jeffrey Ellico, Braden Heap, Derrick Johnson, Colton Adams, Mariano Rodriguez, Braxton Brinkworth, Kyle Watson, Chris Shelton, Rafael Hernandez and Trevor Adkins. Adult leaders included Howard Jackson, Tom Hooker, Tod Skinner, Bryan Watson, Dillon Brancato, Mike Brinkworth, Filiberto Jaffo, Beau Bowdon and Kurt Johnson.

The group would like to extend a special thanks to city of Williams employee Michelle Walker, who sacrificed her time and talents as a lifeguard that allowed the scouts to learn canoeing prior to the trip.

"Those who participated in this adventure carry with them memories that will last a life time and that is what a good Scoutmaster should provide for his Scouts," said Jackson.


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