Back 2024 Trek 12-22 Forward


Strenuous; Approximately 68 miles; Maps required: south


Trek History: New as 26 in 2019; 12-26 in 2020-23; 12-22 in 2024

his trek follows rushing streams, discovers mountain meadows, and traverses lofty peaks across Philmont’s South and Central Country. You will start your trek with a hike out of Base Camp to Magpie, one of Philmont's newest trail camps. Break camp early in the morning so the crew can try some Challenge Course activities at Urraca, then up and over the mesa for your stop at Abreu for a cool root beer and Mexican Dinner that night. Hike west to The Notch and enjoy the overlook of Rayado and Bonito Canyons. Stellar views of Rayado, Crater, and Lookout Peaks will then be seen from the south side of the canyon as you continue to Fish Camp. Enjoy fishing the same banks of the Rayado and Agua Fria Creeks as Waite Phillips. From there, your crew will enjoy time in some of the most pristine country the Southwest has to offer at Apache Springs. You will learn about the Jicarilla Apache and test your archery skills on the sporting arrows range. Enjoy the sweat lodge before leaving Apache Springs. Your hike and stay at Wild Horse is guaranteed to be memorable, as it is one of our most beautiful trail camps. Next, the mountain men of the Rocky Mountain Fur Co. await you at Clear Creek before the challenging hike up Mt. Phillips and Comanche Peak. The hike will be tough but seeing the sunrise from the overlook just northeast of Comanche Peak Camp will be an unparalleled reward. Next, head on to Sawmill and Shoot .30-06 rifles using cartridges you reload yourself. Enjoy a stop at Cyphers Mine to pan for gold, and blacksmith or tour the Contention Mine before staying the night in a muckshack. Then, make your to Cimarroncito for resupply and some time climbing on their natural rock surfaces. Take the short hike to Clarks Fork for some horse rides, branding, and a chuckwagon dinner. You'll rest up for the night at nearby Ponderosa Park for your big day of summiting Shaefers Peak and the Tooth of Time the next day. Enjoy the views before descending the Tooth of Time and hiking along Tooth Ridge into Base Camp on your last day on the trail

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: Magpie; Comanche Peak; Ponderosa Park;
- 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;  
2Magpie Food Pickup @ Camping HeadquartersTrail Camp (Usually dry); (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound)


Ranger Training  


Hike Out from CHQ  
3Abreu Challenge Events @ UrracaShowers;  


New Mexican Homestead  


Cantina  


Mexican Dinner  
4Fish Camp Fly Tying  
5Bear Creek Jicarilla Apache Life @ Apache SpringsTrail Camp; (Commissary; at Apache Springs)
5Fish Camp Fishing Opportunities  


Rayado Lodge Tour  
6Bear Creek 3D Archery @ Apache SpringsTrail Camp; (Commissary; at Apache Springs)


Food Pickup @ Apache Springs 
6Wild Horse Homesteading @ Crooked CreekTrail Camp; 
7Comanche Peak Water @ Clear CreekTrail Camp (Usually dry); 


Rocky Mountain Fur Company @ Clear Creek 


Tomahawks @ Clear Creek 


Climb Mount Phillips @ Clear Creek 


Climb Comanche Peak @ Clear Creek 
8Sawmill 30-06 Shooting/Reloading Showers (wood stoked);  


Food Pickup  
9Cyphers Mine Conservation Project Showers (wood stoked);  


Gold Mining & Panning  


Blacksmithing  


Mine Tour  
10Cimarroncito Climbing Gym Showers;  


Traverse Wall  


Rock Climbing & Rappelling  


Food Pickup  
11Ponderosa Park Western Lore / Branding @ Clarks ForkTrail Camp (Usually dry); (Showers; at Clarks Fork)


Horse Rides @ Clarks Fork 


Chuck Wagon Dinner @ Clarks Fork 


Visiting Forester @ Demonstration Forest
12Camping Headquarters Climb Shaefer's Peak Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;  


Climb Tooth of Time  


Hike in via Tooth Ridge Trail  
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
2Camping HeadquartersVisit the Villa PhilmonteCommissary; Showers; Trading Post;
National Scouting Museum
3UrracaHigh Ropes Instruction & Advanced Challenge Scenarios
Sunrise at Inspiration Point
AbreuHomesteadingShowers;
Ride out from Cattle Headquarters
5Fish CampFly Tying
6Apache SpringsJicarilla Apache LifeCommissary;
Sweat Lodge
Corn Grinding
Sporting Arrows
Tipi Tour
Flintknapping
Crooked CreekCabin Tour
Animal Care
7Clear CreekMuzzle Loading Rifles
8SawmillUte Park Pass Hike PrepShowers (wood stoked);
Hike through 2018 Ute Park Fire Zone
9Cyphers MineStompShowers (wood stoked);
10CimarroncitoHike via Hidden Valley / Window RockShowers;
11Clarks ForkCowboy CampfireShowers;
Ride out from Cattle Headquarters
Ride over Schaefers Pass
Demonstration ForestObsolete
12Camping HeadquartersVisit the Villa PhilmonteCommissary; Showers; Trading Post;
National Scouting Museum
Ride into Cattle Headquarters
This list is not complete and is dependent on the route you take each day.