This year's 84th annual Sheeprock Trek started at 5:45 a.m. Nov. 22 with a clear starlit sky and temperatures in the mid-20s, a perfect start for more than 230 men, women and children to begin their trek up to Sheeprock Overlook for the 84th annual Thanksgiving sunrise service.

The annual trek is sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 71 and Girl Scout Troops 690 and 6413.

This trek started last week for most of the Scouts who spent the weekend raking leaves from the trail and making any necessary repairs to trails and bridges so everyone could have a safe and enjoyable walk.

Another small group of Scouts started their trek Nov. 21 when two Scoutmasters and several Scouts rekindled an old tradition by going up to Sheeprock the night before to set up the rope used to help hikers ascend the last several yards to the top.

This dedicated group completed their task and stayed the night in a small cave at the base of Sheeprock getting up early to greet the Thanksgiving faithful.

Scoutmaster Robert L. Smigielski said this was a tradition carried out many years ago and the Scouts wanted to rekindle the old tradition.