This Shooting Trek offers a variety of great program elements, as well as a chance to summit Philmont's highest peak. Your adventure begins at Six-mile Trailhead with a short hike to see the first confirmed T-Rex footprint in the world. The North Ponil is a timeline in history as you make your way to see the petroglyphs and archeological sites at Indian Writings. Next up will be a challenging day of hiking, but the views from Hart Peak and Dean Skyline are worth it. Shoot over to the newly reopened Santa Claus Camp where you can load your own 12-gauge Shotgun shells and then head to the trap range and test your shooting skills. Be ready to face the challenges presented by by the facilitators at Head of Dean as they run your crew through a series of elements designed to build teamwork. The next day will take you through the Continental Tie and Lumber Co. at Pueblano where you can climb spar poles and make rail ties before heading to camp at Pueblano Ruins. Be sure to check out their campfire on this night or your last night, it’s worth the short hike! Your layover at Black Horse Camp will be focused on exploring the mining history of the area and hiking Philmont's highest peak: Baldy Mountain. After topping out at Baldy, make sure to pass through Copper Park and visit the Aztec Mine at French Henry for a quick tour and some blacksmithing. The following day will take you through Miranda where you will meet up with fur trappers at their rendezvous for muzzle loading rifles and tomahawks. Here you will receive your own burro and learn how to pack him properly before camping at Baldy Skyline, which offers a view of the peak you just conquered! Take good care of your burro, he will help get you down to Flume Canyon and eventually to Ponil. Feel what it was like to be in an old west town, take aim at the Cowboy Action Shooting range, ride horses, and enjoy a hearty Chuck Wagon dinner. Celebrate with a cold root beer and prepare for the raucous Cantina Show to top off the day! Your last morning will have you hiking to the Ponil Trailhead, where a short bus ride returns you to Base Camp to celebrate your adventure before heading home. |
Trek Day | Camp | Program Features | Campsite Features | |
1 | Camping Headquarters TB | Opening Campfire | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;   | |
2 | Indian Writings | Tour Petroglyphs | Showers;   | |
Ranger Training ![]() | Showers;   | |||
3 | Dean Skyline![]() | atlatl @ Indian Writings![]() | Trail Camp; (Showers; at Indian Writings) | |
4 | Santa Claus | Shotgun shooting/reloading - 12 Gauge ![]() |   | |
5 | Head of Dean | Challenge Events |   | |
6 | Pueblano Ruins | Continental Tie & Lumber @ Pueblano | Trail Camp;  | |
spar pole climbing @ Pueblano | Trail Camp;  | |||
Evening Campfire @ Pueblano | Trail Camp;  | |||
7 | Black Horse | Mining History @ Baldy Town![]() | Trail Camp; (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Baldy Town) | |
Assaying @ Baldy Town![]() | Trail Camp;  | |||
Food Pickup @ Baldy Town | Trail Camp;  | |||
8 | Black Horse | Side Hike Baldy Mountain ![]() | Trail Camp;  | |
Gold Mining & Panning @ French Henry | Trail Camp;  | |||
Mine Tour @ French Henry | Trail Camp;  | |||
Blacksmithing @ French Henry | Trail Camp;  | |||
9 | Baldy Skyline![]() | Burro Packing @ Miranda | Trail Camp;  | |
Mountain Man Rendezvous @ Miranda | Trail Camp;  | |||
Muzzle Loading Rifles @ Miranda | Trail Camp;  | |||
Tomahawks @ Miranda | Trail Camp;  | |||
10 | Flume Canyon | Campsite | Trail Camp;  | |
11 | Ponil | Return Burros | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers;   | |
Conservation | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers;   | |||
Western Lore / Branding | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers;   | |||
Cantina | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers;   | |||
Horse Rides | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers;   | |||
Chuck Wagon Dinner | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers;   | |||
12 | Camping Headquarters HB | Cowboy Action Shooting @ Ponil | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;  (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Ponil) | |
Hike to Ponil Trailhead | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;   | |||
Awards Campfire | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;   | |||
Program opportunities not included on the official itinerary |
This list is not complete and is dependent on the route you take each day. |
Visit the Villa Philmonte at Camping Headquarters TB on day 1 |
Seton Memorial Library and Philmont Museum at Camping Headquarters TB on day 1 |
Archaeology at Indian Writings on day 3 |
Tour Petroglyphs at Indian Writings on day 3 Double Dip |
Side Hike Baldy Mountain at Baldy Town on day 7 Double Dip |
Tour Historic Baldy Town at Baldy Town on day 7 |
Side Hike Baldy Mountain at Miranda on day 9 Double Dip |
Cantina at Ponil on day 12 Double Dip |
Western Lore / Branding at Ponil on day 12 Double Dip |
Hike over Hart Peak at Ponil on day 12 |
Gymkhana at Ponil on day 12 |
Cavalcade at Ponil on day 12 |
Visit the Villa Philmonte at Camping Headquarters HB on day 12 |
Seton Memorial Library and Philmont Museum at Camping Headquarters HB on day 12 |