Back 2024 Trek 7-8 Forward


Rugged; Approximately 34 miles; Maps required: South


Trek History: New as 7-10 in 2020; 7-10 in 2021-23; 7-8 in 2024

This exciting South Country itinerary sees it all and will push your crew to the limits. Your adventure begins at the Zastrow Trailhead where you'll hike to Old Abreu as your Ranger passes on the skills you will need for the rest of the trek! On your way, be sure to visit the New Mexican homesteading program at Abreu and enjoy a nice cool glass of root beer in the Cantina. Your next challenge will be the hike up to Lower Bonito camp, but the scenery once you get there more than makes up for it. You’ll spend the following day at Beaubien where you can go enjoy the western lore program, eat a hearty chuckwagon dinner, and listen to the cowboys and cowgirls recite cowboy poetry, sing western music, and tell tales of life on the cattle trail at the campfire that night. Your next day’s hike takes you through Crooked Creek to visit the homesteading family living there. Take a tour of their rustic cabin and try your hand at some of their daily tasks to get a sense of how they live. You will camp for the night at Wild Horse Camp so you can rest up for your mountain summit the next day. Wake up early and make your way to Clear Creek so you can set up camp, hang bear bags, and side hike to the top of Philmont's second highest peak, Mount Phillips. Enjoy this unique opportunity, it is rare for 7 Day treks to make it this deep in the backcountry! Once back at Clear Creek, you can experience life as a Fur Trapper working for the Rocky Mountain Fur Co. and shoot muzzle loading rifles, throw tomahawks, and get a tour of the Trapper’s Cabin. Your last day’s hike will be very special! The hike down the Tolby Road trail is gorgeous and will allow you to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Wheeler Peak, the tallest peak in New Mexico. Keep heading down the scenic path to the trailhead, where you will be picked up by your bus. Next stop… Base Camp!

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."

Unique Campsite: Wild Horse; Clear Creek;
- 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;  
2Old Abreu Food Pickup @ Camping Headquarters (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Homebound)


Ranger Training  


New Mexican Homestead @ AbreuShowers;


Bus to Zastrow Trailhead
3Lower Bonita 
4Beaubien Campfire Showers (wood stoked);  


Western Lore / Branding  


Chuck Wagon Dinner  


Conservation Project @ North Fork Urraca
5Wild Horse Animal Care @ Crooked CreekTrail Camp; 


Cabin Tour @ Crooked Creek 


Homesteading @ Crooked Creek 


Food Pickup @ Phillips JunctionCommissary; Trading Post; Showers;
6Clear Creek Climb Mount Phillips  


Rocky Mountain Fur Company  


Muzzle Loading Rifles  


Tomahawks  
7Camping Headquarters Closing Campfire Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;  


Hike to Tolby Trailhead
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
1Camping HeadquartersVisit the Villa PhilmonteCommissary; Showers; Trading Post;
National Scouting Museum
2AbreuCantinaShowers;
Homesteading
Ride out from Cattle Headquarters
4BeaubienClimb Trail PeakShowers (wood stoked);
Climb Lookout Peak
Cowboy Campfire
North Fork UrracaHike via North Fork Urraca
5Phillips JunctionFishing OpportunitiesCommissary; Trading Post; Showers;
7Camping 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.