Western Lore / Branding



Philmont is an operating western cattle ranch. Cowboys still watch over cattle on horseback and drive them from their winter pasture on the plains to high mountain meadows for summer grazing. While you hike the trails, look for the white-face Hereford cattle. Though not wild, they are best observed from a distance. A cow with a calf may become dangerous if she feels her calf is threatened. To chase or attempt to rope these animals is foolish and can result in serious injury. Watch and photograph them if you wish.

An organized western lore program is offered at Beaubien, Ponil and Clark's Fork. Horse riding, campfires, and branding are all part of the western lore program. Philmont cowboys will tell you about New Mexico's cattle industry. Using authentic western lariats, they will show you how to rope. The cowboy's garb and equipment will be named and their uses explained. After a hearty chuck wagon dinner which you help prepare, you'll gather around a campfire under the western sky for an evening of songs, guitar playing, and stories of the Old West at Beaubien or Clark's Fork.
Campsites offering this program: Ponil Cimarroncito Clarks Fork Camping Headquarters Beaubien

Treks 12-5 12-9 12-10 12-16 12-20 12-26 12-27 12-28 12-29 12-32
7-1 7-3 7-4 7-6 7-11
9-1 9-2 9-5 9-7 9-14 9-15
take this program at Ponil

Treks 12-11 take this program at Cimarroncito

Treks 12-2 12-14 12-15 12-17 12-19 12-20 12-21 12-22 12-24 12-31 12-33 12-34
7-2 7-5 7-9 7-15
9-3 9-4 9-8 9-9 9-15
take this program at Clarks Fork

Treks 7-14
take this program at Camping Headquarters

Treks 12-1 12-4 12-6 12-7 12-8 12-11 12-12 12-13 12-14 12-15 12-19 12-24 12-29
7-7 7-8 7-14 7-16
9-3 9-10 9-12 9-13 take this program at Beaubien




Photos at Ponil


Roping with Cantina / General Store in the background Troop Boot Branding at Ponil roping at Ponil.JPG



Photos at Clarks Fork


Branding at Clarks Fork Boot branding at Clark's Fork Boot Branding at Clark's Fork Branding the Crew Leader Boot Branding at Clarks Fork



Photos at Beaubien


Boot Brandiing at Beaubien Boot Branding at Beaubien Rope work at Beaubien Roping at Beaubien Boot Branding at Beaubien Boot Branding at Beaubien Boot Branding at Beaubien Roping at Beaubien Chuckwagon Pavilion (& boot branding) at Beaubien