Clinic
Bushwhacking Navigation - Heybrook Ridge From Lewis Creek Road
Sharpen your off-trail (bushwhacking) skills along this 5 mile course. Practice accurately navigating through dense vegetation and other terrain obstacles.
Contacts
- Sun, Mar 29, 2026
- Seattle Navigation Committee
- Navigation
- All Who Qualify, Adults
- Moderate
- Mileage: 5.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft
- High Point Elevation: 1,900 ft
- $50.00 $65.00
- 7 (8 capacity)
- 3 (6 capacity)
- Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 6:00 AM
- Fri, Mar 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- iCal Google
To attend this course, participants must have earned the Basic Navigation Badge and possess a mirrored compass.
This hands-on course includes the following components:
- Situational awareness and terrain recognition
- 500-meter bushwhacking exercises
- 250–300 meter labyrinth navigation drills
- Altimeter and GPS usage
- Techniques to maximize the utility of a mirrored compass
- Estimating distances using the UTM grid, followed by visual comparisons against actual terrain
- Safety Considerations
The holder of this badge has successfully completed the Bushwhacking Navigation at Heybrook Ridge course and has demonstrated sound judgment, strong leadership skills, and technical proficiency in backcountry wilderness navigation. Successful completion of the following courses satisfies these requirements:
Courses Required for the Bushwhacking Navigation Badge:
- Wilderness Navigation
- Foundations of Instruction or Foundations of Leadership course
- Wilderness First Aid
- Bushwhacking Navigation at Heybrook Ridge
Meet time: Students arrive 8:00am, Instructors 7:30am
Meet Location: Meet at the giant saw blade in Doolittle Pioneer Park, Index WA.
WGS84 UTM Zone 10T 608198E 5297323N
47.82017, -121.55457
Required Equipment
Come prepared as you would for a scramble or hike in varied weather. Bring over-the-ankle high-top boots, a waterproof outer layer, warm clothes in layers, protective eyewear, thick gloves, food, water. Bring a barometric altimeter (AltimeterPlus app for phone is okay), Smartphone with Caltopo or Gaia GPS with backup power, headlamp, whistle, pencil and Rite in the Rain notebook. Do not bring a camp stove or ice axe.