2024 Trek 12-23 
2024 Trek 12-23 | This itinerary covers some ground, getting you onto four different properties and to the top of Baldy Mountain before it is all said and done! Begin your journey at the historic Chase Ranch, where you will get a tour of the Main House before heading to Little Twin Camp to continue your Ranger training. Climb at Chase Cow the next morning, then enjoy the scenic hike as you follow the ridgeline and drop down to Indian Writings to learn about the Ancestral Puebloans, take a petroglyph tour and even do some atlatl throwing. The next leg of your journey takes you through Metcalf Station for some railroad construction, then to Rabbit Ear camp for the night. Before crossing into the vast beauty of the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest, work with our trained facilitators at Dan Beard and their challenge course activities. You will have two nights in the Valle Vidal, giving you a bit of a unique 'layover' opportunity. Your first night in the Valle will be at Ring Place, where you can ride mountain bikes and check out the stars! Your next day is a short hike that takes you to Iris Park, which is another beautiful and quiet camp you will enjoy. Next up is a visit to Rich Cabins and the Rich family homestead. Help with some chores and be rewarded with a family gathering with music and family stories that will keep you entertained through the evening. You are in for a treat the next day as you enter the Barker Wildlife Area and up and over Wilson Mesa. Get your cameras out, you will love the views here! Your next night is at Flume Canyon, then you'll pass through Pueblano to become honorary loggers of the Continental Tie & Lumber Co. Work on your logging skills and try your hands at creating a railroad tie! Immerse yourself in mining history at French Henry and tour the Aztec Mine, pan for gold, and work in their forge. Pass through Baldy Town next and learn about the history of this once bustling gold rush era town before camping at your Baldy summit staging camp at Black Horse Mine. Get ready, as your next day brings you to your ascent of Badly Mountain! After your summit, break camp and make your way down to Miranda for a Fur Trapper Rendezvous, muzzle loading rifles, and some tomahawks! Enjoy your last night on the trail and reflect on the many challenges and great experiences you have enjoyed on your trek. Your last hike of the trek takes you to the Maxwell Trailhead for your bus trip back to base. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Per the Guidebook to Itineraries: "Due to potential emergencies, such as catastrophic fires, Crews must not deviate from their assigned itinerary. Changes are only permitted for bona fide medical emergencies and must be approved in advance by the Logistics Department." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dry Camps: Rabbit Ear; Black Horse Mine; Unique Campsite: Little Twin; Black Horse Mine; - No photo available for this campsite or this program at this location. Click icon for specific needs. |
| Day | Camp | Potential Additional Program Features | Campsite Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Camping Headquarters | Visit the Villa Philmonte | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; |
| National Scouting Museum | |||
| 4 | Metcalf Station | Morse Code | |
| 5 | Dan Beard | Leave No Trace Training | Low Impact Camp; |
| 6 | Iris Park | Hike via Iris Park & Beatty Lakes | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp; |
| Ring Place | Astronomy | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |
| Folk Weather Forecasting | |||
| Historic Homestead | |||
| Side Hike to McCrystal Creek Ruins | |||
| 7 | Rich Cabins | Evening music | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; |
| 9 | Pueblano | Continental Tie & Lumber | |
| spar pole climbing | |||
| 10 | Baldy Town | Climb Baldy Mountain | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; |
| Tour Historic Baldy Town | |||
| 12 | Miranda | Mountain Man Rendezvous | |
| Climb Baldy Mountain | |||
| Tomahawks | |||
| Camping Headquarters | Visit the Villa Philmonte | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; | |
| National Scouting Museum | |||
| Ride into Cattle Headquarters | |||