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! | ||||
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: Iris Park; Ring Place; |
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 | Conservation Project @ Flume Canyon![]() | Commissary; Low Impact Camp;  (Trail Camp; at Flume Canyon) | |
Crosscut Saws / Tie making @ Pueblano | Commissary; Low Impact Camp;   | |||
Campfire | Commissary; Low Impact Camp;   | |||
Animal Care ![]() | Commissary; Low Impact Camp;   | |||
4 | Iris Park | Homesteading @ Rich Cabins | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp; (Commissary; Low Impact Camp; at Rich Cabins) | |
Cabin Tour @ Rich Cabins![]() | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp;  | |||
Homesteading @ Rich Cabins | Low Impact Camp; Trail Camp;  | |||
5 | Ring Place | Astronomy | Commissary; Low Impact Camp;   | |
Food Pickup | Commissary; Low Impact Camp;   | |||
Food Pickup | Commissary; Low Impact Camp;   | |||
Folk Weather Forecasting | Commissary; Low Impact 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) | |
Awards Campfire | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;   | |||
Hike to Ponil Trailhead | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;   | |||
Day | Camp | Potential Additional Program Features | Campsite Features |
---|---|---|---|
2 | CHQ Trailbound | Visit the Villa Philmonte | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; |
National Scouting Museum | |||
3 | Pueblano | Continental Tie & Lumber | |
spar pole climbing | |||
4 | Rich Cabins | Evening music | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; |
Animal Care | |||
5 | Ring Place | Historic Homestead | Commissary; Low Impact Camp; |
Side Hike to McCrystal Creek Ruins | |||
6 | Dan Beard | Leave No Trace Training | Low Impact Camp; |
7 | Ponil | Cantina | Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; |
Cantina Show | |||
Climb Hart Peak | |||
Gymkhana | |||
Cavalcade | |||
Cowboy Action Shooting | |||
CHQ Homebound | Visit the Villa Philmonte | Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; | |
National Scouting Museum | |||