| 2015 description: '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 up Horse Canyon to
Horse Canyon Camp. Next, take part in thought provoking initiative games and challenge course events that will encourage
your crew to work together at Dan Beard. Your crew will then have the opportunity to work on your navigation skills as you
locate Beatty Lakes. Enjoy the view of Little Costilla and continue north to Ring Place on the following day as you bushwhack
through tall ponderosa pine stands and enormous meadows. Side hike to Whiteman Vega to ride some of northern New
Mexico's best mountain biking trails and work with the Philmont Conservation Department on a new bike trail! Return to Ring
Place for folk weather forecasting and astronomy, where the night skies are great because there is no light for miles! Wake up
early and head south until you hear the pinging of hammers driving rail spikes echo off the canyon walls at Metcalf Station.
Railroading, morse code, and blacksmithing will come to life before your crew experiences a great campfire. Be sure to check
out the Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs from 1300 CE before exploring Chase Canyon and the historic Chase Ranch. Next
stop… Base Camp!' |
| 2014 description: 'This exciting itinerary will provide your crew with great program opportunities, gorgeous meadows, and scenic views at every
stop! Start your trek at the Zastrow Turnaround and camp at Old Abreu on your first night. From there, enjoy the beautiful
(challenging) hike up Bonito Canyon to Lookout Meadow where views of Trail Peak, Black Mountain, and the surrounding
peaks will be an early treat. If your crew is fairly quiet, there is a good chance that you might see a small herd of elk that
frequent the area. Be sure to wake up in time to watch the sunrise over the Tooth of Time from the top of the meadow before
hiking over rugged Lookout Peak. Visit Waite Phillips fishing lodge at Fish Camp before hiking up the Agua Fria to Apache
Springs. Test your archery skills and learn the ways of the Jicarilla Apache and cap off the afternoon in the sweat lodge. The
following day, you will have the great opportunity to work with Philmont's Conservation Department on a new trail
construction project on the way to Clear Creek. Once you have reached Clear Creek, the men of the Rocky Mountain Fur Co.
will let you take target practice with their .50 caliber black powder rifles and tomahawks. Hike over Mt. Phillips and enjoy
views of the Moreno Valley, Wheeler Peak, and Baldy Mountain. Continue over Comanche Peak to Comanche Pass and decide
whether you want to try to tackle Black Mountain! Enjoy the hike from either location as it will be mostly downhill to the
Hunting Lodge. Enjoy your last night on the trail and check out the Demonstration Forest before hiking to the Cito
Turnaround. Next stop… Base Camp!' |
| Day | 2015 Trek 708 Campsite | 2014 Trek 713 Campsite | Program Differences |
| 1 | Trailbound Tent City | ||
| 2 | Old Abreu | ||
| 3 | Fish Camp | Lookout Meadow | Fishing Opportunities included in 2015 trek 708 Fly Tying included in 2015 trek 708 Rayado Lodge Tour included in 2015 trek 708 |
| 4 | Beaubien | Apache Springs | Chuck Wagon Dinner included in 2015 trek 708 Western Lore / Branding included in 2015 trek 708 Cowboy Campfire included in 2015 trek 708 3D Archery not included in 2015 trek 708 Jicarilla Apache Life not included in 2015 trek 708 Sweat Lodge not included in 2015 trek 708 Rayado Lodge Tour not included in 2015 trek 708 Sunrise from Lookout Meadow not included in 2015 trek 708 |
| 5 | Lamberts Mine | Clear Creek | Climb Big Red included in 2015 trek 708 Climb Bonito Peak included in 2015 trek 708 Muzzle Loading Rifles not included in 2015 trek 708 Rocky Mountain Fur Company not included in 2015 trek 708 Conservation Project not included in 2015 trek 708 Tomahawks not included in 2015 trek 708 |
| 6 | Cimarroncito | Hunting Lodge | Conservation Project included in 2015 trek 708 Visiting Forester included in 2015 trek 708 |
| 7 | Homebound Tent City | Rock Climbing & Rappelling included in 2015 trek 708 |