Back 2024 Trek 12-9 Forward


Challenging; Approximately 59 miles; Maps required: south


Trek History: New as 12-3 in 2021; 12-3 in 2022-23; 12-9 in 2024

This challenging itinerary will have you hiking through some of the most scenic parts of the North Country with many great program opportunities. You will start your trek off with a bus to the Ute Park Trailhead and pass through Cimarroncita Camp for either the Laser Shooting Range or 3-D Archery program. You'll spend your first night on the trail at Cimarron River Camp, where your Ranger will continue your Ranger training. After enjoying the stars at Black Jacks and Elkhorn trail camps the next two nights, you'll journey to Ponil where you get the full western experience, ride horses, and participate in one of Philmont's coolest programs: Cowboy Action Shooting! After a hearty chuckwagon dinner and an evening of enjoying root beer at the Ponil Cantina Show, you will hike over to Metcalf Station to work on the railroad and attend the evening campfire. From here, you'll hike to Dan Beard to work on team building skills on their challenge course. The next day, stop by for a visit at the Rich Cabins homestead and check out their farm and historic cabin; then it's over Wilson Mesa and the breath-taking views as you make your way to Pueblano Ruins trail camp. Take the short hike to Pueblano for the Continental Tie and Lumber Co. campfire and watch the loggers have their company meeting that evening. The next day gets you closer to the pinnacle of your trek…Baldy Mountain. You’ll pass through Ewells Park on your way to Baldy Town, and on the way see the fire break that was created during the 2002 Ponil Complex Fire. Be sure to enjoy the mining history of the area during your visit to Baldy Town for your food pickup. You'll have a layover at Copper Park, where you will setup for your summit of Philmont’s highest peak! If you have time, visit French Henry to pan for gold or to see Lucien Maxwell's Aztec Mine. Your last day on the trail will bring you through the Fur Trapper Rendezvous at Miranda. Throw a few tomahawks, shoot some muzzle loading rifles, then make your way down to the Maxwell Trailhead for 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: Cimarron River;
- 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;  
2Cimarron River Ranger Training Trail Camp; 


Food Pickup @ Camping HeadquartersCommissary; Showers; Trading Post;


Bus to Ute Park Trailhead


3D Archery @ Cimarroncita
3Black JacksTrail Camp; 
4Elkhorn Conservation Project Trail Camp; 
5Ponil Food Pickup Commissary; Trading Post; Showers;  


Cowboy Action Shooting  


Chuck Wagon Dinner  


Cantina Show  
6Metcalf Station Western Lore / Branding @ Ponil (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Ponil)


Horse Rides @ Ponil 


Blacksmithing  


Campfire  


Railroading  
7Dan Beard Challenge Events Low Impact Camp;  
8Pueblano Ruins Tie making / Crosscut Saws @ PueblanoTrail Camp; 


Campfire @ Pueblano 


Homesteading @ Rich CabinsCommissary; Low Impact Camp;
9Copper Park Food Pickup @ Baldy TownTrail Camp; (Commissary; Trading Post; Showers; at Baldy Town)


Mining History @ Baldy Town 
10Copper Park Climb Baldy Mountain Trail Camp; 
11Miranda Muzzle Loading Rifles  


Mountain Man Rendezvous  


Tomahawks  
12Camping Headquarters Closing Campfire Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;  


Hike to Maxwell 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
CimarroncitaLaser Shooting Range
Ute Park Pass Hike Prep
Hike through 2018 Ute Park Fire Zone
6PonilCantinaCommissary; Trading Post; Showers;
Cantina Show
Climb Hart Peak
Gymkhana
Cavalcade
Cowboy Action Shooting
Circle Ride
Wrangler Training
Metcalf StationMorse Code
7Dan BeardLeave No Trace TrainingLow Impact Camp;
8PueblanoContinental Tie & Lumber
spar pole climbing
Rich CabinsEvening musicCommissary; Low Impact Camp;
Cabin Tour
Animal Care
9Baldy TownClimb Baldy MountainCommissary; Trading Post; Showers;
Tour Historic Baldy Town
Assaying
11MirandaClimb Baldy Mountain
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.