Back 2024 Trek 12-18 Forward


Strenuous; Approximately 66 miles; Maps required: north


Trek History: New as 12-27 in 2020; 12-27 in 2021-23; 12-18 in 2024

his adventure packed itinerary provides a variety of opportunities for mileage, adventure, and traversing breathtaking vistas. Enjoy a variety of side hikes, participate in unique programs and try your skills with Leave No Trace camping in the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest. The trip will begin with a bus drop off at Six Mile Gate Trailhead and a hike to the first confirmed T-Rex track in the world, and a quick hike to House Canyon Camp where your Ranger will continue your training. Day 2 will take you up and over the ridge to Philmont's newest rock-climbing camp at Chase Cow Camp. Enjoy the views as you make your way out of Chase Canyon and hike the ridgeline above the North Ponil before dropping down and enjoying a secluded night at Coyote Howl Camp. Hike in the cool morning hours to Indian Writings for a Petroglyph tour and atlatls, and then up to the canyon to Metcalf Station to help build a railroad. Make your way to Dan Beard, where the Challenge Course and initiative games will help to build teamwork that your crew will utilize the rest of your trek. Leave Philmont Property and enter the beautiful Valle Vidal and head to Ring Place for Mountain Biking and Astronomy, and then on to Iris Park for Leave No Trace camping. Enjoy the blanket of stars in the Valle and get your rest before dropping in on the Rich Family and help them with their animals and see their historic cabin. Head over Wilson Mesa and check in on the loggers of the Continental Tie and Lumber Co. and help them make a tie for Metcalf Station. Your layover waits you at Ewells Park, which will give you plenty of time to summit Philmont's highest peak, Baldy Mountain, and visit the historic mining areas of Baldy Town and French Henry. Your next adventure is at the Fur Trapper Rendezvous at Miranda where you can compete with your crew at tomahawk throwing and muzzle loading rifle shooting. Stay the night at Maxwell and enjoy your last night on the trail. Alas, your journey is coming to an end as you make your way to the Maxwell Trailhead and load your bus for the ride back to base camp.

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."


- No photo available for this campsite or this program at this location. Click icon for specific needs.

DayCampProgram FeaturesCampsite Features
1Camping Headquarters Opening Campfire Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;  
2House Canyon Food Pickup @ Camping HeadquartersTrail Camp; (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound)


Tyrannosaurus Rex Track  


Ranger Training  


Water @ North PonilTrail Camp;
3Chase Cow Rock Climbing & Rappelling  


Bouldering  
4Coyote Howl Water @ Indian WritingsTrail Camp; (Showers; at Indian Writings)


Water @ Chase Cow
5Dan Beard Petroglyphs Tour @ Indian WritingsLow Impact Camp;  (Showers; at Indian Writings)


Railroading @ Metcalf Station
6Ring Place Challenge Events @ Dan BeardCommissary; Low Impact Camp;  (Low Impact Camp; at Dan Beard)


Mountain Biking  


Astronomy  


Food Pickup  
7Iris Park Low Impact Camping Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp; 


Conservation Project @ Ring PlaceCommissary; Low Impact Camp;
8Rich Cabins Homesteading Commissary; Low Impact Camp;  


Animal Care  


Cabin Tour  


Campfire  


Low Impact Camping  
9Ewells Park Hike over Wilson Mesa Trail Camp; 


Tie making / Crosscut Saws @ Pueblano
10Ewells Park Food Pickup @ Baldy TownTrail Camp; (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Baldy Town)


Mining History @ Baldy Town 


Climb Baldy Mountain  
11Maxwell Muzzle Loading Rifles @ MirandaTrail Camp; 


Mountain Man Rendezvous @ Miranda 


Tomahawks @ Miranda 
12Camping Headquarters Closing Campfire @ Camping HeadquartersCommissary; Showers; Trading Post;  (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound)


Hike to Maxwell Trailhead
Warning: Itinerary details provided by PhilSearch are for planning purposes only.  Only the current year's "Treks" book and the addendums to it, if any, should be used for final trek selection.

Crews passing through staff camps are not scheduled for program. If time and space allow, some crews may be able to participate in some of the programs offered.

DayCampPotential Additional Program FeaturesCampsite Features
4Chase CowBouldering
5Indian WritingsArchaeologyShowers;
Atl Atl Darts
Metcalf StationMorse Code
6Dan BeardLeave No Trace TrainingLow Impact Camp;
7Iris ParkHike via Iris Park & Beatty LakesLow Impact Camp; Trail Camp;
Ring PlaceAstronomyCommissary; Low Impact Camp;
Folk Weather Forecasting
Historic Homestead
Side Hike to McCrystal Creek Ruins
8Rich CabinsEvening musicCommissary; Low Impact Camp;
9PueblanoContinental Tie & Lumber
spar pole climbing
10Baldy TownClimb Baldy MountainCommissary; Trading Post; Showers;
Tour Historic Baldy Town
Assaying
11MirandaClimb Baldy Mountain
12Camping HeadquartersVisit the Villa PhilmonteCommissary; Showers; Trading Post;
National Scouting Museum
This list is not complete and is dependent on the route you take each day.