2012 description: 'If your crew is into GPS and land navigation, this “Geocaching Trek” is for you! Test your navigation skills in the Valle Vidal before
geocaching your way into Ted Turner’s Vermejo Park Ranch. Our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Team set up a challenging
course in rugged country with some of the most unique rock outcroppings and vistas that the southwest has to offer. Not one crew
found all of the geocaches last summer. We are challenging your crew to be the first to locate them all! Start your trek at Sioux
before participating in initiative games and challenge events at Dan Beard. From there, stop and help our staff with a search and
rescue mission at Seally Canyon. You can bushwhack north over the ridge directly to Whiteman Vega to ride some of the best
mountain biking trails in northern New Mexico. Hike across the site of a 2009 prescribed burn on your way to the north end of
McCrystal Creek. From there, you will be able to preview your trip to Baldy before taking part in the astronomy program at Ring
Place for the night. Make your way back to Philmont and spend two days at Ewells Park where you will continue to be amazed by
the wildflowers in the meadow and the view of Baldy. On the second day, you will have time to explore the Aztec Mine at French
Henry, climb Baldy, and visit historic Baldy Town. Visit the Continental Tie and Lumber Company at Pueblano to climb spar poles
on your way to New Dean. Now for the geocaching… At Dean Cow, each crew will be given GPS units with the geocache locations
entered into them. You will have a day and a half to find them all. Be amazed by the rock formations and if you pay close
attention, you might even find a rock with Waite Phillips’ initials (WP) carved into it! Spend the night where few other crews have
the opportunity to stay at Slate Hill Heck Camp. Hike back to Dean Cow to drop off your GPS units and to cap off your trek with
rock climbing and rappelling! This trek has it all!' |
2011 description: 'Your crew will be a strong team after taking the Dan Beard Challenge and learning Leave No Trace
principles. Hike into the heart of the Valle Vidal (Valley of Life) spending a night in wilderness seclusion
at the beautiful Iris Park camp before enjoying two fun-filled days at Ring Place. Popular programs
here are astronomy, folk weather forecasting, and mountain biking. Yourcrew is off to the Baldy
country via spectacular Greenwood Canyon where you will have a chance to pan for gold, explore an
abandoned gold mine, learn to be a blacksmith, and summit Baldy Mountain, elevation 12,441 feet.
The last great program happens at Ponif, Philmont's original camp, where you can ride horses, brand
your boots & other gear, enjoy the cantina show, and finish with a delicious chuck wagon dinner and
breakfast.' |
Day | 2012 Trek 31 Campsite | 2011 Trek 20 Campsite | Program Differences |
1 | Trailbound Tent City |   |   |
2 | Sioux | Bent |   |
3 | Dan Beard |   | Conservation Project not included in 2012 trek 31   |
4 | Whiteman Vega | Iris Park | Mountain Biking included in 2012 trek 31 Search & Rescue / Wilderness Medicine included in 2012 trek 31 Wilderness Medicine included in 2012 trek 31 Conservation Project included in 2012 trek 31   |
5 | Ring Place |   | Side Hike to McCrystal Creek Ruins included in 2012 trek 31 Conservation Project not included in 2012 trek 31   |
6 | Upper Greenwood Canyon | Ring Place | Mountain Biking not included in 2012 trek 31   |
7 | Ewells Park | Greenwood Canyon | Blacksmithing included in 2012 trek 31 Gold Mining & Panning included in 2012 trek 31   |
8 | Ewells Park | Copper Park | Climb Baldy Mountain included in 2012 trek 31 Tour Historic Baldy Town included in 2012 trek 31 Food Pickup included in 2012 trek 31 Blacksmithing not included in 2012 trek 31 Gold Mining & Panning not included in 2012 trek 31   |
9 | New Dean | Copper Park | Continental Tie & Lumber included in 2012 trek 31 Climb Baldy Mountain not included in 2012 trek 31 Food Pickup not included in 2012 trek 31   |
10 | Slate Hill Heck | Elkhorn | Water included in 2012 trek 31 Geocaching included in 2012 trek 31 Pick up GPS included in 2012 trek 31   |
11 | Dean Cow | Ponil | Rock Climbing & Rappelling included in 2012 trek 31 Return GPS included in 2012 trek 31 Cantina not included in 2012 trek 31 Chuck Wagon Dinner not included in 2012 trek 31 Western Lore / Branding not included in 2012 trek 31 Horse Rides not included in 2012 trek 31 Food Pickup not included in 2012 trek 31   |
12 | Homebound Tent City |   | Cowboy Breakfast not included in 2012 trek 31   |