The Military Vehicle Technology Foundation and Black Mountain Backpack Trip December 15, 2012.

One of our more interesting outings took place last December at the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation in Menlo Park.  Now, December is always a tough time to schedule a troop outing because of the holidays and school vacation schedules.  In the past we have typically done day outings either into San Francisco or day hikes around Sacramento.  In 2012 we had the chance to do something a little different.

At a Patrol Leaders Council nearly a year before one of our scouts told us about the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation and if we could somehow arrange a trip there as an official scout outing.  The Foundation is located in Menlo Park and according to it's website (mvtf.org) it has the largest collection of military technology in the world.  Everyone, scouts and adults alike, took an immediate interest and we started trying to fit this into the troop schedule.  Right away we discovered that the biggest issue we had was finding a place to camp that was close by.  Menlo Park is a residential area of the Bay area with no campgrounds.  With no camping option we moved the trip to December as a day trip.

Then one of our ASMs hit pay dirt.  Just a few miles away from the Foundation was the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve (http://www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_monte_bello.asp), which hosted the Black Mountain Backpack Camp.  Typically, this place is booked solid since it is the only backpack camp on the west side of the Bay, but since our trip was planned for December we had no problems getting reservations.  Even better was the description for the camp:  it was described as a easy 1.5 mile hike with a 500 foot elevation gain from the parking lot to the camp.   We were excited to finally be able to combine a December day outing with an overnight component.

Crew Adviser Michael Sullivan with my son Austin (in the back with the white sweatshirt) and two other Crew members in a WWII Jeep.

A German Mark IV Panzer: this tank was rescued from a swamp it had sunk in during the Rommel Blitz into France.

Early in the morning of December 15, 2012 the Troop and Crew started out for Menlo Park and the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation.  The drive was uneventful except for the final few miles to the Foundation.  We found ourselves in a very upscale neighborhood and began to question the directions we had been given.  We pulled up to an elaborate gate that boasted the address we were looking for, but we were still unsure that we were in the right place.  At the appointed time the gates opened and after we drove through we started to see tanks and other military style vehicles parked alongside the road.  We were in the right place.

I won't go into detail about the tour other than to say that you will be amazed at what they have on the property and it will bring back memories of every military war film ever made.  The tour goes through five very large buildings that are crammed shoulder to shoulder with restored vehicles from almost every nation on the planet.

Russian T-72 Tank

Me with my sons Austin (left) and Gavin (right).

Yes, that is a SCUD Missile Launcher.

As the tour ended and those of us continuing on to Black Mountain climbed into our vehicles the rain started to fall.  We were hoping for a late rain but if it came early, that was alright with us.  The initial hope we had was that the rain would come early and finish before our hike up the mountain.  That was not to be...

When we reached the trailhead off Page Mill Road the rain was really coming down.  The more experienced ASMs and scouts took this opportunity to eat lunch and wait for the rain to die down.  The newer ASMs and younger scouts kept one eye on the skies and had the secret hope of somebody calling off this crazy expedition.  After 30 minutes it was decided that the rain wasn't going to get any lighter so we pulled on our packs and our ponchos and headed out on the trail.

Now, a few comments about the trail to the Black Mountain Backpack Camp.  During normal, springtime conditions where the sky is blue, the temperature is a balmy 80 degrees and a nice breeze blows through just often enough to cool the sweat on your brow, this would be a nice and easy stroll in the park.  In December, with your feet sinking into the mud with each step, the rain hitting you first from one side and then the other, and with hungry looking stag deer eyeing you like you are a prime rib dinner (we were actually followed up the mountain by 4 very large stags) then it is an endurance slog up 3 miles of trail (not the 1.5 miles as stated in the brochure) and a climb of over 1,500 feet (not the easy 500 feet previously mentioned) before reaching the backpack camp just a quarter mile from the summit.

Once reaching the camp it was a final effort of setting up tents, warming up food, and securing ourselves for an early night of rain and wind which did not let up until the wee wee hours of the morning.

By 6 AM we started to stir from our tents and view the landscape around us.  The rain and wind had stopped and an eerie calm had descended on the mountain.  We climbed out of our tents and started to explore the area.  A few scouts and adults fired up backpacking stoves for hot water and coffee.  The younger scouts looked around in amazement that they were still alive.

On the plain looking into the camp.

                                                         Gavin crawling from his tent.

                                         From left: me, ASM Craig Chalmers, ASM Dean Mar.

After a warm breakfast of hot chocolate, pop tarts and instant oatmeal we covered the last quarter mile to the summit of Black Mountain.  The low clouds and ragged rocks made it look like we were in the Scottish Highlands.  On the way back to camp a few of the scouts searched for and found a geocache that was located near the summit.

                                                               Gavin at the summit.

                                    ASM Craig Chalmers discussing geocaching with the scouts.

The way down went a little quicker, though the packs were heavy with wet tents and other gear, and the footing was a little tricky in some places, but otherwise the hike out was uneventful.  The weather held long enough for us to make it back to the trail-head and change into dry clothes.  All in all a great winter backpacking trip and the younger scouts learned how to tough it out on the trail and make the best of bad weather situations.  I would like to try it again during the winter, only without the wind and the rain, maybe a nice cold overcast day....

The junction of Canyon Trail and Bella Vista Trail.

Gavin with two other scouts at the trail head Sunday morning.

***A note about the Trail Map: The Official Trail Map will not help until you reach the Canyon Trail.  There are trails branching off from the parking lot that are not on the map.  All I can suggest is that you explore and follow some of the trails heading in the right direction.  The Canyon and Bella Vista Trails are well marked beyond that point.***

Map: http://www.openspace.org/preserves/maps/pr_monte_bello.pdf