Scouts' hike turns into overnight in the woods

NILE -- A group of Boy Scouts spent an unplanned night in the woods after taking a wrong turn on a hike around Bumping Lake.

The Scouts were safely brought out of the woods Saturday morning by a search crew from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office.

The 19 Scouts and four adult leaders, from Selah and Tri-Cities, were part of a group staying at the Boy Scout organization's Camp Fife, in the Goose Prairie area off Bumping River Road.

The hikers left Friday morning for an intended day trip around Bumping Lake, about 37 miles northwest of Yakima and two miles from Camp Fife, according to a news release from sheriff's Deputy Brad Martin.

The Scouts were equipped with a map and compass, but they missed a turn to go around the south shore and instead headed off for nearby Fish Lake, Martin said. That's where they ended up spending the night.

Martin said they managed to make camp, but apparently had little food or water.

Fellow Scouts went looking for them and called the sheriff's office early Saturday after failing to locate the group. Scouts found them about 8 a.m., Martin said.

Other than being tired, the lost Scouts were in good condition.

Sheriff's officials recommend that hikers take sufficient supplieis with them, including food and water, to survive an unexpected stay.