This program packed itinerary loops through the Philmont North Country and combines high peaks and beautiful vistas with southwest history. The adventure begins with a bus from Base Camp to the Six-Mile Trailhead and a short hike to the first confirmed T-Rex footprint in the world. Youll make your way to Anasazi trail camp where your Ranger will pass on important skills. Head up the North Ponil Canyon to Indian Writings where you will see ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs and archeology sites. Listen for the echo of the mauls striking spikes as you make your way to Metcalf Station to learn what life was like on the railroad. Youll help rebuild the railroad and enjoy great music and stories at the evening campfire. The next day you will head to Sioux and visit Ponil, where you will have the chance to do Cowboy Action Shooting, roping, and branding. Reward yourself with a cold root beer at the cantina, chow down on a delicious chuckwagon meal and prepare to be entertained at the evening Cantina Show! Youll be assigned your burro and learn how to care for it and pack it properly the next morning before you Head up the North Ponil River to the Continental Tie and Lumber Co. at Pueblano where your crew can climb spar poles and make rail ties before enjoying yet another amazing campfire performance. Move on up to Ute Meadows for a layover and prepare yourself with rest and reflection before your ascent of Philmont's highest peak. Climbing to the top of the 12,441 ft. Baldy Mountain is sure to be the highlight of your Philmont adventure! Youll also enjoy the loop through Copper Park and on to the Aztec Mine at French Henry, eventually ending up back at the old mining town at Baldy Town. Your next day is just a short hike to Miranda where you will have plenty of time for muzzle loading rifles, tomahawks and the mountain man rendezvous. Challenge course events at Head of Dean will help your crew build confidence and teamwork. Shoot on over to Santa Claus camp where you will load your own shells before heading down to the range to shoot 12-gauge shotguns. Your final full day of hiking will take you to New Dean trail camp before heading to the Ponil Trailhead for your trip back to Base Camp. What a trek! | ||||
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." |
Day | Camp | Program Features | Campsite Features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CHQ Trailbound | Opening Campfire | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;   | |
2 | Anasazi | Food Pickup @ CHQ Trailbound | Trail Camp; (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound) | |
Bus to Six Mile Gate | Trail Camp;  | |||
Tyrannosaurus Rex Track @ Six Mile Gate | Trail Camp;  | |||
Ranger Training | Trail Camp;  | |||
3 | Metcalf Station![]() | Petroglyphs Tour @ Indian Writings |  (Showers; at Indian Writings) | |
Railroading |   | |||
Blacksmithing |   | |||
Campfire ![]() |   | |||
4 | Sioux | Western Lore / Branding @ Ponil | Trail Camp; (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Ponil) | |
Cowboy Action Shooting @ Ponil | Trail Camp;  | |||
Cantina @ Ponil | Trail Camp;  | |||
Chuck Wagon Dinner @ Ponil | Trail Camp;  | |||
Campfire @ Ponil![]() | Trail Camp;  | |||
Food Pickup @ Ponil | Trail Camp;  | |||
5 | Pueblano | Pick Up Burros @ Ponil |  (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Ponil) | |
Crosscut Saws / Tie making |   | |||
Campfire |   | |||
6 | Ute Meadows | spar pole climbing @ Pueblano | Trail Camp;  | |
Return Burros @ Miranda![]() | Trail Camp;  | |||
7 | Ute Meadows | Climb Baldy Mountain ![]() | Trail Camp;  | |
Gold Mining & Panning @ French Henry | Trail Camp;  | |||
Food Pickup @ Baldy Town | Trail Camp; (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Baldy Town) | |||
8 | Miranda | Mountain Man Rendezvous |   | |
Muzzle Loading Rifles |   | |||
Tomahawks |   | |||
9 | Head of Dean | Challenge Events |   | |
Conservation Project @ Baldy Skyline![]() |  (Trail Camp; at Baldy Skyline) | |||
10 | Santa Claus | 12 Gauge Shotgun shooting/reloading ![]() |   | |
11 | New Dean![]() | Trail Camp;  | ||
12 | CHQ Homebound | Awards Campfire | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;   | |
Hike to Ponil Trailhead | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;   | |||
Day | Camp | Potential Additional Program Features | Campsite Features |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Anasazi | Tyrannosaurus Rex Track | Trail Camp; |
CHQ Trailbound | Visit the Villa Philmonte | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; | |
National Scouting Museum | |||
3 | Indian Writings | Archaeology | Showers; |
Atl Atl Darts | |||
Metcalf Station | Morse Code | ||
5 | Ponil | Cantina | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; |
Western Lore / Branding | |||
Cantina Show | |||
Climb Hart Peak | |||
Gymkhana | |||
Cavalcade | |||
Cowboy Action Shooting | |||
6 | Pueblano | Continental Tie & Lumber | |
Crosscut Saws / Tie making | |||
7 | Baldy Town | Climb Baldy Mountain | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; |
Tour Historic Baldy Town | |||
Mining History | |||
Assaying | |||
French Henry | Blacksmithing | ||
Mine Tour | |||
8 | Miranda | Climb Baldy Mountain | |
9 | Head of Dean | pickup crew based challenge events | |
12 | CHQ Homebound | Visit the Villa Philmonte | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; |
National Scouting Museum | |||