2020 Trek 7-16 
2020 Trek 7-16 
Trek 716 | This Valle Vidal itinerary will enable your crew to see an incredible assortment of wildlife, enormous grass filled vegas, gorgeous ponderosa pine stands, and rugged mountains to the north of Philmont. Start your trek by hiking through Ponil, the original base camp and headquarters for Philmont. You will be camping at Flume Canyon for the night, but maybe you can brand your boots or grab a root beer before you head up the South Ponil Canyon and continue your training with your Ranger! Your next day will be a special treat, as you will get to hike up and over Wilson Mesa on your way to Rich Cabins. Feel free to divert through Pueblano and learn how to use broad axes and crosscut saws, but be ready for a beautiful hike with views of Baldy Mountain and Little Costilla as you traverse across this beautiful mesa! Your destination for the day is the historic homestead of the Rich family, aptly named Rich Cabins. Help the family tend to their gardens, slop the pigs and milk the cow while you are at it! Their family gathering at the end of the day is not to be missed. Sing songs, hear the bear story, play the piano, and learn the family history on their screened in porch. Wake up early and beat the heat as you venture into the Valle Vidal. On your way to historic Ring Place, feel free to stop by Seally Canyon to learn about Search and Rescue techniques and wilderness medicine. After your SAR is complete, bushwhack through the ponderosa pines and enormous meadows to scenic Ring Place. Learn about folk weather forecasting and look through their telescopes at night at the wide-open skies. The dark skies of the Valle Vidal make for amazing star gazing opportunities. Next up is a short hike to Whiteman Vega for your early morning conservation project. Once your project is complete, get in on a mountain bike ride before you head to Iris Park for the night. Enjoy this hike as well, the views of Little Costilla and Baldy Mountain are amazing! Next, head to Dan Beard, where you will take part in thought provoking initiative games and challenge course events that will encourage your crew to work together. Your final morning will take you through Horse Canyon as you make your way back to Ponil and the trailhead for your bus pickup. Grab a root beer and Toblerone to celebrate your accomplishments over the past 7 days! Next stop... Base Camp! |
| Unique Campsite: Ring Place; Iris Park; |
| Day | Camp | Program Features | Campsite Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHQ Trailbound | Opening Campfire | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; | |
| 2 | Flume Canyon | Ranger Training  | Trail Camp; | |
| Western Lore / Branding @ Ponil | Trail Camp; (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Ponil) | |||
| Cantina @ Ponil | Trail Camp; | |||
| Food Pickup @ CHQ Trailbound | Trail Camp; (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound) | |||
| Bus to Ponil Trailhead | Trail Camp; | |||
| 3 | Rich Cabins | Tie making @ Pueblano | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |
| Campfire | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |||
| Homesteading | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |||
| Animal Care | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |||
| 4 | Ring Place | Folk Weather Forecasting | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |
| Astronomy | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |||
| Food Pickup | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; | |||
| Search & Rescue / Wilderness Medicine @ Seally Canyon | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; (Low Impact Camp; at Seally Canyon) | |||
| 5 | Iris Park | Food Pickup @ Ring Place | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp; (Commissary; Low Impact Camp; at Ring Place) | |
| Conservation Project @ Whiteman Vega | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp; (Low Impact Camp; at Whiteman Vega) | |||
| Mountain Biking @ Whiteman Vega | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp; | |||
| 6 | Dan Beard | Challenge Events | Low Impact Camp; | |
| 7 | 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.Visit the Villa Philmonte at CHQ Trailbound on day 2| National Scouting Museum at CHQ Trailbound on day 2 | Continental Tie & Lumber at Pueblano on day 3 | spar pole climbing at Pueblano on day 3 | Evening music at Rich Cabins on day 3 | Cabin Tour at Rich Cabins on day 3 | Astronomy at Ring Place on day 5 | Folk Weather Forecasting at Ring Place on day 5 | Historic Homestead at Ring Place on day 5 | Side Hike to McCrystal Creek Ruins at Ring Place on day 5 | Leave No Trace Training at Dan Beard on day 6 | Cantina Show at Ponil on day 7 | Climb Hart Peak at Ponil on day 7 | Gymkhana at Ponil on day 7 | Cavalcade at Ponil on day 7 | Cowboy Action Shooting at Ponil on day 7 | Visit the Villa Philmonte at CHQ Homebound on day 7 | National Scouting Museum at CHQ Homebound on day 7 | |