2021 Trek 12-32 
2021 Trek 12-32 | Embarking on this journey will test your crew’s physical and teamwork strength! Your Ranger will first take you through the old west camp of Ponil to arrive at Sioux trail camp. You’ll then follow the Middle Ponil Creek upstream before a gradual assent to Dan Beard and the initial challenge events assessment. Lessons learned at Dan Beard will be crucial for navigating through the vast Valle Vidal. From Iris Park to Ring Place and Middle Ponil to Upper Greenwood, you will have opportunities to explore the vast beauty of the Valle Vidal. Explore the vast cosmic terrain at Ring Place after working together on your conservation project. Make your way through Windy Gap to your destination at Middle Ponil Low Impact Camp. Take a day to ascend the celestial plane of a nearby mountain! In June, climb Ash Mountain and in July and August, climb Little Costilla or Ash Mountain…or both! (Little Costilla is closed in June for elk calving season.) At the top, peer down and meditate upon the Earth below. Clarity of purpose will be needed as the path to French Henry is long and rugged but allows for the conquest of Philmont’s iconic Baldy Mountain. Then, like the miners of times long gone, you will feel the canyon closing in as you descend into French Henry and experience the exciting mining history first hand. From this isolated location, take the short hike around Baldy’s eastern flank and enjoy the hustle and bustle of Philmont’s North Country population center, Baldy Town. You’ll want to linger and enjoy the amenities but it will be important to move on to Head of Dean, and witness glorious vistas along the way. The staff there will then facilitate your ‘final exam’ of challenge events. Finally, make your way to Flume Canyon for your conservation project and one last night of timeless reflection among the giants. If your crew is highly motivated, as most are on their final morning, head down to the Ponil Cantina early for refreshments at the cantina. Enjoy tall tales and a cold root beer with patrons from all walks of Philmont before hiking to the Ponil Trailhead to hop on the bus that delivers you safely back to Base Camp. |
| Dry Camps: Mistletoe; Unique Campsite: French Henry; |
| Day | Camp | Program Features | Campsite Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHQ Trailbound | Opening Campfire | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; | |
| 2 | Sioux | Bus to Ponil | Trail Camp; (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Ponil) | |
| Cantina @ Ponil | Trail Camp; | |||
| Campfire @ Ponil | Trail Camp; | |||
| Ranger Training | Trail Camp; | |||
| Food Pickup @ CHQ Trailbound | Trail Camp; (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound) | |||
| 3 | Dan Beard | Challenge Events | Low Impact Camp; | |
| Conservation Project @ Ponil | Low Impact Camp; (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Ponil) | |||
| 4 | Iris Park | Low Impact Camping | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp; | |
| 5 | Ring Place | Folk Weather Forecasting | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |
| Astronomy | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |||
| Food Pickup | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |||
| 6 | Little Costilla | Low Impact Camping | Low Impact Camp; | |
| 7 | Middle Ponil | Side Hike Little Costilla and/or Ash Mountain | Low Impact Camp; | |
| 8 | Upper Greenwood | Low Impact Camping | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp; | |
| 9 | French Henry | Climb Baldy Mountain | ||
| Gold Mining & Panning | ||||
| Mine Tour | ||||
| Blacksmithing | ||||
| 10 | Head of Dean | Mining History @ Baldy Town | (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Baldy Town) | |
| Assaying @ Baldy Town | ||||
| Challenge Events | ||||
| 11 | Mistletoe | Trail Camp (Usually dry); | ||
| 12 | CHQ Homebound | Western Lore / Branding @ Ponil | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Ponil) | |
| Cantina @ Ponil | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; | |||
| Awards Campfire | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; | |||
| Hike to Ponil Trailhead | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; | |||
- No photo available for this campsite or this program at this location. Click icon for specific needs.| Day | Camp | Potential Additional Program Features | Campsite Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | CHQ Trailbound | Visit the Villa Philmonte | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; |
| National Scouting Museum | |||
| 3 | Dan Beard | Leave No Trace Training | Low Impact Camp; |
| 4 | Iris Park | Hike via Iris Park & Beatty Lakes | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp; |
| 5 | Ring Place | Historic Homestead | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; |
| Side Hike to McCrystal Creek Ruins | |||
| 6 | Little Costilla | Side Hike Ash Mountain | Low Impact Camp; |
| Side Hike Little Costilla and/or Ash Mountain | |||
| 7 | Middle Ponil | Side Hike Ash Mountain | Low Impact Camp; |
| 10 | Baldy Town | Climb Baldy Mountain | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; |
| Tour Historic Baldy Town | |||
| Head of Dean | pickup crew based challenge events | ||
| 12 | Ponil | Cantina Show | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; |
| Climb Hart Peak | |||
| Gymkhana | |||
| Cavalcade | |||
| Cowboy Action Shooting | |||
| CHQ Homebound | Visit the Villa Philmonte | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; | |
| National Scouting Museum | |||