Back 2024 Trek 12-7 Forward


Challenging; Approximately 57 miles; Maps required: south


Trek History: 16 in 2005-6; 8 in 2007-11; 6 in 2012; 9 in 2013-16; 12 in 2017-18; 9 in 2019; 12-9 in 2020-23; 12-7 in 2024

Looking for a trek that follows rushing streams, discovers mountain meadows, and traverses lofty peaks across Philmont’s South Country? This is it! You’ll be dropped off at the Zastrow Trailhead before camping at Rimrock Park, which is near the historic Abreu family homestead. From there, enjoy the hike through the Notch to Crags and be one of the lucky few to sleep at the bottom of Rayado Canyon. Stellar views of Rayado, Crater, and Lookout Peaks will be seen from the trail on your way to Fish Camp where you will get to tour Waite Phillips' Rayado Lodge at the confluence of the Agua Fria and Rayado Creeks. Enjoy the hike up the Agua Fria to the beautiful meadows of Apache Springs. The sunset hike is not to be missed as well! The next morning, learn about the Jicarilla Apache and shoot 3-D archery targets at Apache Springs. Restock on food and supplies before setting off to Wild Horse Camp the next day. The fur trappers of the Rocky Mountain Fur Co. await you at Clear Creek with their tall tales and tomahawk throwing competitions. Spend a night on the trail at Comanche Creek before swinging down to Beaubien for roping, branding, horseback rides, a chuckwagon dinner, and cowboy campfire. Don’t forget to visit Crater Lake and the loggers of the Continental Tie & Lumber Co. as you make your way to Miners Park for some rock climbing and rappelling. Your final challenges await you…Shaefers Peak and the Tooth of Time!

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: Rimrock Park; Shaefers Pass;
- 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;  
2Rimrock Park Food Pickup @ Camping HeadquartersTrail Camp (Usually dry); (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound)


Ranger Training  


Bus to Zastrow Trailhead
3Crags Cantina @ AbreuTrail Camp; (Showers; at Abreu)


New Mexican Homestead @ Abreu 


Cabin Tour @ Abreu 
4Apache Springs Food Pickup Commissary;  


Rayado Lodge Tour @ Fish Camp


Fly Tying @ Fish Camp 


Fishing Opportunities @ Fish Camp 
5Wild Horse 3D Archery @ Apache SpringsTrail Camp; (Commissary; at Apache Springs)
6Comanche Creek Rocky Mountain Fur Company @ Clear CreekTrail Camp; 


Tomahawks @ Clear Creek 
7Beaubien Campfire Showers (wood stoked);  


Western Lore / Branding  


Food Pickup @ Phillips JunctionCommissary; Trading Post; Showers;
8Beaubien Horse Rides Showers (wood stoked);  


Chuck Wagon Dinner  


Campfire  
9Bear Caves Tie making / Crosscut Saws @ Crater LakeTrail Camp; (Showers; at Crater Lake)


Campfire @ Crater Lake 
10Miner's Park Rock Climbing & Rappelling Showers;  


Food Pickup  
11Shaefers Pass Traverse Wall @ Miner's ParkTrail Camp (Usually dry); (Showers; at Miner's Park)


Conservation Project @ North Fork Urraca


Water @ North Fork Urraca 
12Camping Headquarters Closing Campfire Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;  


Climb Shaefer's Peak  


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
3AbreuHomesteadingShowers;
Ride out from Cattle Headquarters
5Apache SpringsJicarilla Apache LifeCommissary;
Sweat Lodge
Corn Grinding
Sporting Arrows
Tipi Tour
Flintknapping
6Clear CreekMuzzle Loading Rifles
Climb Mount Phillips
7Phillips JunctionFishing OpportunitiesCommissary; Trading Post; Showers;
8BeaubienWestern Lore / BrandingShowers (wood stoked);
Climb Trail Peak
Climb Lookout Peak
Cowboy Campfire
9Crater LakeContinental Tie & LumberShowers;
Hike over Fowler Mesa
spar pole climbing
Logging Skills
11Miner's ParkRock Climbing & RappellingShowers;
Crate Stacking
North Fork UrracaHike via North Fork Urraca
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.