Back 2024 Trek 7-9 Forward


Rugged; Approximately 35 miles; Maps required: South


Trek History: New as 7-2 in 2021; 7-2 in 2022; 7-12 in 2023; 7-9 in 2024

This itinerary offers crews one of the first opportunities to hike out of base camp and into the backcountry for their wilderness experience. Make your way to your first trail camp on the edge of Heck Meadow, just below Tooth Ridge. Enjoy the wonderful views in all directions as your Ranger continues your skill training here. Be sure to get up early enough to watch the sunrise, as a New Mexico sunrise is something to behold! Your next stop is at Clarks Fork, where you will learn the ways of the west, ride horses, brand your boots, and enjoy an excellent campfire program that night. Rest up, as your next day brings you the opportunity to summit two peaks, including the iconic Tooth of Time. If you time it right, you can catch the setting sun on Shaefers Peak as you make your way back to your campsite in Shaefers Pass camp after your exciting summits! The next morning you will head down to North Fork Urraca creek and over to Miners Park for the challenging rock climbing and rappelling programs. You'll also resupply here, so load up on food and hit the trail and make your way to Abreu. Learn about this early New Mexican homestead and the family that once lived and worked in this part of the ranch. You’ll enjoy a tour of the homestead, learn how to take care of animals, and enjoy a delicious Mexican Dinner on this, your last night on the trail. The next morning you will hike to the the Zastrow Trailhead where you'll load up on the bus to head back to base. What a journey it has been, enjoy the ride!

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: Heck Meadow; Shaefers Pass; Unique Campsite: Heck Meadow; Abreu;
- 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;  
2Heck Meadow Food Pickup @ Camping HeadquartersTrail Camp (Usually dry); (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound)


Water @ Camping Headquarters 


Hike Out from CHQ  


Ranger Training  
3Clarks Fork Western Lore / Branding Showers;  


Horse Rides  


Chuck Wagon Dinner  


Campfire  
4Shaefers Pass Water @ Clarks ForkTrail Camp (Usually dry); (Showers; at Clarks Fork)


Climb Tooth of Time  


Climb Shaefer's Peak  
5Miner's Park Rock Climbing & Rappelling Showers;  


Climbing Gym  


Food Pickup  


Conservation Project @ North Fork Urraca
6Abreu New Mexican Homestead @ Miner's ParkShowers;  (Showers; at Miner's Park)


Cantina @ Miner's Park 


Cabin Tour @ Miner's Park 


Mexican Dinner @ Miner's Park 
7Camping Headquarters Campfire Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;  


Hike to Zastrow 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
2Camping HeadquartersVisit the Villa PhilmonteCommissary; Showers; Trading Post;
National Scouting Museum
4Clarks ForkWestern Lore / BrandingShowers;
Cowboy Campfire
Ride out from Cattle Headquarters
Ride over Schaefers Pass
5North Fork UrracaHike via North Fork Urraca
6Miner's ParkRock Climbing & RappellingShowers;
Traverse Wall
Crate Stacking
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.