Sam McDonald Overnight

Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18, 2005

WHAT:  This is our first campout trip of  the year, designed for the older Scouts to introduce the younger Scouts to camping and backpacking, and to see if the new Scouts  can complete some of their Tenderfoot and Second Class requirements.  We will include a short hike in the afternoon.  Adults are invited and can make it easily!  Scouts will carry their sleeping bags and personal gear in backpacks.  New Scouts who do not have backpacks may pack their stuff in a duffel bag or large day pack.  But everything, including pack, duffel, water, food and cooking gear will be carried in a short distance. 

WHEN:  We will meet at the clubhouse at 7:30 am and leave at 8:00 am on Saturday, September 17, and return to the clubhouse by early afternoon on Sunday, September 18. 

DETAILS:  We will be camping at Sam McDonald Park, San Mateo County, at the Youth Campsite.

DIRECTIONS:  From 101 or 280: Take Highway #84 (Woodside-La Honda- San Gregorio Road) west to La Honda. Turn left 1/2 mile past village center in La Honda on the Pescadero Road. The park entrance is on Pescadero Road and 6 miles from the turn-off.

BRING/WEAR:  Bag lunch for Saturday   Wear your troop 88 t-shirt.  The weather will be mild, but always be prepared for cool weather and rain.  Bring the Ten Essentials, including a water bottle with water.  Dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday will be provided.  Wear sturdy shoes.  Bring $6.00 a head to repay your patrol cook for food, and $2 a head to repay your driver for transportation and gas.

ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:  New Scouts will review what they need for Tenderfoot and Second Class.  Older Scouts will help the younger ones - do you need any requirements for Second and First Class?  Cook?  Bring a compass and the rest of the ten essentials.

About the Park

Sam (Emanuel) McDonald, descendent of slaves, was born in Louisiana in 1884. Moving several times, and working at various jobs, he finally settled in Mayfield (South Palo Alto), and in 1903 took employment as a teamster for Stanford University. This was the beginning of a long and pleasant career with Stanford, spanning some 50 years, with Sam eventually becoming Superintendent of Athletic Grounds and Buildings. While working at the "Farm," McDonald took a correspondence course in law and served as Secret Service Agent for the Treasury Department, as Deputy Constable for Pale Alto Township, and as Deputy Sheriff for Santa Clara County.

McDonald began acquiring the La Honda property in 1917, with the purchase of a two-room cabin and some ground along Alpine Creek in the northern portion of the property. Standing 6'4", he became part of the Stanford legend. He probably had a wider acquaintance with students and faculty than any other member of the Stanford family did. Dr. Ray Lyman Wilbur, University President, said on one occasion: "I am glad I do not have to run against Sam for office; I would fear the results.

The Stanford Convalescent Home for Underprivileged Children on campus was one of McDonald's pet projects; he planted large gardens for the children during the war years, and cooked barbecues for them. The home named a "Sam McDonald " in his honor.

When he died in November 1957, he left his La Honda property (400+ acres) to Stanford, which had given him so much in opportunity, friendship and happiness. McDonald specifically requested that his heirs use the land as a park for the benefit of young people. San Mateo County acquired the land in 1958 for $67,000 and dedicated it for public use in 1970. An additional 450 acres were acquired in 1976 from Kendall B. Towne, bringing the total acreage of the park to 867 acres.

TRAILS:   Several miles of hiking trails meander throughout the park. During a one-hour hike you can explore either Mt. Ellen, Huckleberry, Homestead, Creek, Big Tree, or Heritage Grove trails. Half day or more, you can either hike Ridge Loop, Tarwater Loop, or Towne Trail. Butano Ridge Loop or the Pomponio Trails provide all-day experiences for the for the avid hiker or jogger. The trails are spread across Pescadero Creek, Memorial and Sam McDonald Parks.

NATURAL FEATURES:  Much of the park is very steep, running from 400 ft. along Alpine Creek to over 1300 ft. at the highest point on Towne Ridge. This wide range of elevation accounts for some rather interesting natural features. In the lower elevations along moist ravines, many fern varieties are to be found, including the graceful five finger fern, sword fern, lady fern, gold back fern, polypody and woodwardia ferns. Also to be found along the moister slopes in great abundance are trillium, redwood violet, red clintonia and wild strawberry. In the more shady areas, carpets of redwood sorrel cover the redwood floor, and during the spring rainy season beautiful mosses and curious mushroom shapes appear throughout the park in glorious array. Even the troublesome poison oak plant is prevalent in many areas of the park, providing food and protection to the wildlife.

Trees common to the redwood forest include the coastal redwood. Douglas fir, various varieties of oak and California bay trees. Trees found on the edge of the redwood forest in drier areas include madrone, California buckeye, and big leaf maple. The drier open areas abound in the springtime with a colorful display of beautiful wildflowers. Some of the prevalent types include sticky monkey flower, wood rose, sun cup and of course California poppy.

Many animal types, although not often seen, make their home in the park. A few include deer, raccoon, fox, opossum, bob-cat, woodpecker, jay, quail, garter and gopher snakes, curious banana slug, and many more.