| 2022 description: 'This trek offers breathtaking views on a grand scale, beginning with a scenic bus ride through the pyric ecosystem of Cimarron
Canyon and subsequent regrowth from the 2018 Ute Park Fire. Your first night is with your Ranger at Cimarron River Camp,
but be sure to enjoy the programs at Cimarroncita before you hit the trail. The next morning you will begin your ascension to
Head of Dean, where the staff will share with your crew valuable conflict resolution skills. The Continental Tie & Lumber Co.
awaits your crew at Pueblano before you cross Wilson Mesa and the waters of Middle Ponil Creek to historic Rich Cabins.
Milk a cow, feed the chickens, and enjoy the Rich family gathering at night before setting forth the next morning into the Valle
Vidal. Enjoy the Earth’s magnificent geology as you hike along steep cliffs and the flowing stream that created them as you
head to Little Costilla Low Impact Camp for a night of rest. In June, explore the Shuree Cabin site and Shuree Ponds sites.
(Little Costilla is closed to the public for elk calving season in June.) The cabin is a historic recreation of a cabin that existed
there in the early 1900s. LA Times newspaper baron Harry Chandler used to bring silent film stars of the era to this cabin, and
Shuree Ponds is the site of the Penzoil Corporations retreat facilities, prior to the land being donated to the Forest Service. In
July and August, enjoy the challenge of climbing Little Costilla Peak! The next day brings you the opportunity to learn about
the history of Ring Place or ride some outstanding mounting biking trails with the staff at Whiteman Vega. As your crew returns
south, enjoy a night at Seally Canyon camp, near the old town of Ring, NM. Make your way to Dan Beard to try new elements
and see how far your crew has come as a team since your time at Head of Dean. After camping for the night at Cook Canyon,
head to Metcalf Station to drive some spikes and learn about the railroading history of the North Ponil, then on to the
archeological site at Indian Writings where you can help decipher the ancient petroglyphs. One more breathtaking view will be
enjoyed up and over Hart Peak, before you reach the original Base Camp, Ponil. Lasso a tall drink of root beer at the local
saloon…this cantina gets lively at night and you won’t want to miss the action. Circle the wagons and follow the dinner bell for
an authentic chuckwagon dinner, then off to the Cantina Show for a raucous evening of music and festivities. The last roundup
gets you in on a morning horse ride before returning you to the Ponil Trailhead as you hop the bus to the present era and
modern amenities found at Base Camp!' |
| 2021 description: 'This trek offers breathtaking views on a grand and intimate scale. It begins with a scenic bus ride through the pyric ecosystem of
Cimarron Canyon and subsequent regrowth from the 2018 Ute Park Fire. Your first night is with your Ranger, at Maxwell, which is
at 8,460ft. Your ascension continues to Head of Dean, where the staff will level-up your team with valuable conflict resolution
skills. Let the excitement of the Continental Tie & Lumber Co. spur your crew into an early start towards Pueblano before crossing
Wilson Mesa and the meandering waters of Middle Ponil Creek to bed down at the Rich Cabins homestead. Milk the cow, chase
the chickens, and enjoy the Rich family gathering at night before setting forth the next morning into the Valle Vidal. Enjoy the
Earth’s magnificent geology as you hike along steep cliffs and the flowing stream that created them as you head to Middle Ponil
Low Impact Camp for a night of rest. In June, climb Ash Mountain and in July and August, climb Little Costilla or Ash Mountain…or
both! (Little Costilla is closed in June for elk calving season.) Continue your trek through Windy Gap to McCrystal Creek Low
Impact Camp for an unparalleled view of the Philmont skyline. The next day will give you the opportunity to learn about the history
of Ring Place, or ride some outstanding mounting biking trails with the staff at Whiteman Vega. As your crew returns south, they
may be called upon to assist the staff with search and rescue exercises by Seally Canyon’s incident command post. Make your
way to Metcalf Station to drive some spikes and learn about the railroading history of the North Ponil, then on to the archeological
site at Indian Writings where you can help decipher the ancient petroglyphs and complete your conservation project. One more
breathtaking view will be enjoyed up and over Hart Peak, before you reach the original Base Camp, Ponil. Lasso a tall drink of
root beer at the local saloon…this cantina gets lively at night and you won’t want to miss the action. Circle the wagons and follow
the dinner bell for an authentic chuckwagon dinner, then off to the Cantina Show for a raucous evening of music and festivities.
The last roundup gets you in on a morning horse ride before returning you to the Ponil Trailhead as you hop the bus to the present
era and modern amenities found at Base Camp!' |
| Day | 2022 Trek 23 Campsite | 2021 Trek 23 Campsite | Program Differences |
| 1 | CHQ Trailbound | ||
| 2 | Cimarron River | ||
| 3 | Head of Dean | ||
| 4 | Rich Cabins | ||
| 5 | Little Costilla | Middle Ponil | |
| 6 | Little Costilla | Middle Ponil | |
| 7 | Ring Place | McCrystal Creek | Mountain Biking included in 2022 trek 23 Food Pickup included in 2022 trek 23 Low Impact Camping not included in 2022 trek 23 |
| 8 | Seally Canyon | Conservation Project included in 2022 trek 23 Water included in 2022 trek 23 Mountain Biking not included in 2022 trek 23 Food Pickup not included in 2022 trek 23 | |
| 9 | Cook Canyon | Challenge Events included in 2022 trek 23 Search & Rescue / Wilderness Medicine not included in 2022 trek 23 | |
| 10 | Indian Writings | Petroglyphs Tour included in 2022 trek 23 Conservation Project not included in 2022 trek 23 | |
| 11 | Ponil | Food Pickup included in 2022 trek 23 Petroglyphs Tour not included in 2022 trek 23 | |
| 12 | CHQ Homebound |