Troop 71 Hikes Harriman

Taking advantage of the lingering beautiful weather, Troop 71 Scouts spent the first weekend in November camping at the William Brien Memorial (Letterock) Shelter near Silver Mine Lake in Harriman State Park. After a 1.5 mile hike up the mountain to the campsite, the Scouts pitched tents, collected wood, ate lunch and then, led by former Troop 71 Scoutmaster Lawrence Bourguet, set out for a five-mile day hike to visit the abandoned Cranberry Mine, a 19th-century iron mine abandoned around 1920 and then used to store dynamite.
Scouts peered into its still-present iron door cut into the mountainside, explored its eerie chamber and climbed aboard the railroad tracks that long ago led transportation in and out of the facility. Arriving back at the campsite late afternoon, tired but stoked, the Scouts used the remaining daylight to collect and cut wood for their campfire, where they cooked their own dinner, performed skits and stayed warm until bundling up in their mummy bags for a much-needed night’s rest.
After a campfire in the morning to rustle up a warm breakfast, it was time to pack up for the trek back down the mountain. An amazing time was had by all. Learn more at www.plandometroop71.com.