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. |
Day | Camp | Program Features | Campsite Features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Camping Headquarters | Opening Campfire | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;   | |
2 | House Canyon | Food Pickup @ Camping Headquarters | Trail Camp; (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound) | |
Tyrannosaurus Rex Track |   | |||
Ranger Training |   | |||
Water @ North Ponil | Trail Camp; | |||
3 | Chase Cow | Rock Climbing & Rappelling |   | |
Bouldering |   | |||
4 | Coyote Howl | Water @ Indian Writings | Trail Camp; (Showers; at Indian Writings) | |
Water @ Chase Cow | ||||
5 | Dan Beard | Petroglyphs Tour @ Indian Writings | Low Impact Camp;  (Showers; at Indian Writings) | |
Railroading @ Metcalf Station | ||||
6 | Ring Place | Challenge Events @ Dan Beard | Commissary; Low Impact Camp;  (Low Impact Camp; at Dan Beard) | |
Mountain Biking |   | |||
Astronomy |   | |||
Food Pickup |   | |||
7 | Iris Park | Low Impact Camping | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp;  | |
Conservation Project @ Ring Place | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |||
8 | Rich Cabins | Homesteading | Commissary; Low Impact Camp;   | |
Animal Care |   | |||
Cabin Tour |   | |||
Campfire |   | |||
Low Impact Camping |   | |||
9 | Ewells Park | Hike over Wilson Mesa | Trail Camp;  | |
Tie making / Crosscut Saws @ Pueblano | ||||
10 | Ewells Park | Food Pickup @ Baldy Town | Trail Camp; (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Baldy Town) | |
Mining History @ Baldy Town |   | |||
Climb Baldy Mountain |   | |||
11 | Maxwell | Muzzle Loading Rifles @ Miranda | Trail Camp;  | |
Mountain Man Rendezvous @ Miranda |   | |||
Tomahawks @ Miranda |   | |||
12 | Camping Headquarters | Closing Campfire @ Camping Headquarters | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;  (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound) | |
Hike to Maxwell Trailhead | ||||
Day | Camp | Potential Additional Program Features | Campsite Features |
---|---|---|---|
4 | Chase Cow | Bouldering | |
5 | Indian Writings | Archaeology | Showers; |
Atl Atl Darts | |||
Metcalf Station | Morse Code | ||
6 | Dan Beard | Leave No Trace Training | Low Impact Camp; |
7 | 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 | |||
8 | 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 | |||
Assaying | |||
11 | Miranda | Climb Baldy Mountain | |
12 | Camping Headquarters | Visit the Villa Philmonte | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; |
National Scouting Museum | |||