Skyline to the Sea

Written by Abbey Buckley

Every summer at Camp Krem, each person has something they really look forward to. For some counselors it’s their favorite camper, for some campers it’s the day we tye-dye t-shirts, or even the talent show; for me personally, that thing most looked forward to is the Skyline to the Sea Hike. It’s the time of the summer where Outdoor Camp leaves the hill and embarks on a journey that lasts only 15 miles but lingers for much longer.

This trip is more than just a hike. From the start campers are immersed into the backpacking lifestyle. I try to incorporate learning as much as possible into ODC. This went from everything from backpack fitting, to backpack stove lighting (which I finally mastered this year thanks to much patience from Leon!), and finally what kinds of foods are best to eat while on the trail. We started off the session with backpack fitting and spent the majority of Monday morning in the equipment room fitting campers with donated backpacks and making adjustments as needed (and hoarding as many bungee cords as we could find). From backpacks we went to equipment. We packed stoves, cups, cutlery, shovels, toilet paper, plastic bags, clothes, food, food, and more food. Finally after much preparation, we were able to leave the hill on Tuesday; we headed to Big Basin for camping and backpacking fun.

We spent the first night and next day just camping in Big Basin. We participated in the Junior Rangers program and went on a guided hike, both programs provided by the Big Basin staff and volunteers. The campers really enjoyed the time we spent relaxing, but come Thursday morning, we were ready for the big show. We unloaded our raccoon boxes, loaded up our packs and hit the trail around 12 pm.

The first trail taken is a trail called Sunset Trail and it lasts about 5.5 miles. This is by far the hardest part of the hike due to going uphill (more that we cared to go) and the fact that we still hadn’t eaten much of our food thus making our packs heavier than we’d all like. The campers responded with heart, soul, and minimal whining (which was calmed by stops, water, and granola bars). Finally, after 6 hours of hiking we rounded the last corner of our day and spent the night at the Sunset Trail Camp. One of the reasons all the hiking is made worth it, is due to the sunset which can’t be matched anywhere else in the park. We saw the sky turn shades of pink and orange and fell asleep to the stars coming out among the Redwoods. Only to be awoken at 2 am by an un-welcomed raccoon visitor who decided to breach the sleeping circle from the trees above. However, after much flashlight flashing and stick banging, he gave up and let us rest in peace.

Friday was our longest day of hiking. We set out from Sunset at around 10 am and hit the Berry Creek Falls Trail. This trail took us by the Berry Creek Cascades, where ODC learned how to filter water from a hand crank water filter, and then continued on to follow Berry Creek until we reached the Berry Creek Water Fall. This water fall is the largest in the park and falls a total of 65 feet before crashing into the ground. ODC stood in amazement and settled in for lunch before heading back out on to the trail. From the water fall we met up and started hiking Skyline to the Sea. This is also the day where I learned just how tough my campers are. They walked a total of 8 miles all the while singing camp songs, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and making proclamations of “I’ve got this!” and “I didn’t know I could do something like this but I am!” The campers that are put into my life never cease to amaze me and added encouragement to my tired feet and back because if they could make it one more step, so could I. We finally ended our day 8 miles later at Alder Creek Trail Camp and literally fell into our sleeping bags for a much deserved rest before dinner.

On Saturday, the excitement could be felt as we packed up sleeping bags and ate oatmeal because we knew that today was the day we would be able to put our feet in the ocean and complete the trek we started out on five days ago. This was by far the easiest hiking day of the trip. It was just 1.5 miles, with packs as light as feathers (as we had eaten just about everything!) and as we rounded the bend that brought us in sight of the ocean there was a collective group cheer that I’m sure was heard for miles around. Suddenly our feet stopped hurting, our backs stopped aching and all we could think of was getting to the ocean. We finally made it about 30 minutes later where we were greeted by Mary and Sherry and celebratory Root Beers. We took off our boots for the first time in a week and ran to the ocean in celebration. Emotions felt that day are not ones easily expressed on paper. It is definitely one of the those “you had to be there moments” but imagine if you will, 12 exhausted, dirty, stinky people running into the Pacific as if they had just tumbled out of a van fully refreshed and ready for a day on the beach. We played in the waves, splashed each other and enjoyed the accomplishment of finishing hike most though they would never be able to finish.

To say that I am proud of my campers is quite simply wrong. I am ecstatic of what they were able to accomplish. Through sheer determination and sweat 8 campers started and 8 campers finished. We leaned on ourselves and on our friends through highs, lows, pep talks, and cheering. We even sang a song or two. But most of all, we finished. Fifteen miles, three days, but a lifetime of accomplishment.