Expedition \Planning j Philmont Scout Ranch Boy Scouts of America

Transcription

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d GUIDR F O R
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Expedition
\Planning j
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NATIONAL COUNClL
Boy Scouts of America
Philmont Scout Ranch
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It is significant that PHILMONT TRAILS is being published on the Silver Anniversary of Waite
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Phillips' magnificent gift of Philmont to the Boy Scouts of America. For it was in 1941, three
years after his original grant of the Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp, that Waite Phillips
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and his family decided to give Philmont t o the Boy Scouts of America.
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During those twenty-five years, literally tens of thousands of Scouts, Explorers, and their
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PHILMONT TRAILS then becomes the reflection of the accumulated experiences of Philmont
campers and Philmont staffs over the past quarter century.
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lvlany members of the 1965 staff, outstanding by any measurement of standards, made their
contributions to PHILMONT TRAILS. The guiding light and the catalyst was Greg Hobbs, former
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The Ranger staff, an elite and spirited group of young men who have
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and rewards of hiking and camping along Philmont trails;
:ion leaders whose Scouting spirit and dedica-
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the 1965 camp directors
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Credit is also due to:
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spirit is spread throughout these pages.
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Philmont camper who distinguished himself as a ranger and a trip planner Greg's Philmo
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alllle Kinerd, the arraale secretary to the Director of Camping who
painstakingly prepared the original script for the printer.
If PHILMONT TRAILS becomes an effective tool in the hands of expedition leaders t o sharpen
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their preparation for Philmont, and if, on the trail, these pages add to a fuller enjoyment and
deeper appreciation of "Philmont Trails," then our combined efforts in the production of this
manual will have been worthwhile.
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Ray H. B
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A Message To Expedition Leaders
Inscribed on a gateway to one of Philmont's many camps is a statement which embodies Scouting's primary purpose
- "boys
came, men left."
Philmont offers to young men and their adult leaders a hiking and camping experience unmatched almost anywhere in the United States. Friendships blossom and youthful spirits mature
on the trails of this rugged land in the southern Rocky Mountains. But the requirements are
stringent - good physical conditioning, a lively sense of comradeship, and a strong will to complete what has been undertaken.
Philmont's primary program is rugged hiking and camping in this land of towering mountains,
green forests, and sparkling streams. This is high country where five hours of hiking makes a
full day. The wise leader prepares his expedition itinerary carefully in order not t o push himself
and his campers to the edge of exhaustion. Rather, he will start out with easy hikes the first
couple days and build up to more arduous ones. He will allow time for scenic side hikes and
needed rest stops, for a six-mile hike in the Rockies is equivalent t o twelve miles back home.
Therefore, the planning of your Philmont expedition itinerary surpasses in importance almost
any other part of your preparation. You should meet with your Scouts and/or Explorers often
to discuss what area of the ranch they would like most t o hike through.
PHILMONT TRAILS, combined with the Guidebook t o Adventure, and the Philmont map become
the basic tools for the expedition leader as he prepares his crew for their high adventure at Philmont. Skillfully used, these tools will give you a foretaste of the exciting experience that awaits
you in the high country of the Southern Rockies. And these tools will help you determine the
sect~onof Ph~lmontwhere you w ~ l want
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to hike and camp along Philmont trails.
Please remember that when you check your itinerary at Ph~lmontwith your trip planner it may
be necessary to make some changes in your trip plan. The reasons for this are t o avoid overuse of trails and camps and to give you advantage of any new discoveries at Philmont.
If you have planned well, you and your campers will have a rewarding experience. The entire
Philmont staff awaits your arrival with great anticipation for this country welcomes men to
match its mountains.
Survival Camping
A balanced Philmont experience should include some opportunity for survival camping. This is hiking and camping
in areas with little or no water, which is typical of vast
stretches of the great Southwest.
Survival camping teaches campers to get along with the minimum use of water
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conserve every precious drop. Who
knows, someday such training may be the means of saving
their lives.
Therefore, it is suggested that you include one or two days
of survival camps in your itinerary. Listed below is a partial
list of Philmont's survival camps. There are other such areas.
Your Trip Planner at Philmont will be in a position to assist
you. Discuss it with him.
SURVIVAL C A M P S
(A partial list)
North Country
Central Country
South Country
Cottonwood Trail
Deer Lake Mesa
Fowler Mesa
Cook Canyon
Mount Phillips
Fowler Lake
Sky Line Ridge
Shaefers Pass
Urraca Mesa
Baldy Trail Camps
Sawmill Canyon
Wilson Mesa
Grouse Canyon
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Steps To Planning An Itinerary
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Study PHILMONT TRAILS, Philmont topographical map, and Guidebook to Adventure.
These are your three basic tools.
Decide on section of Philmont your group would like to cover. Remember, Philmont contains 214 square miles, so in ten (10) days you will be able to travel over only a part of
it. Select your three choices of starting camps (see Guidebook).
The standard itinerary is for 1 0 days and nights on the trail. Plan easy hikes the first two
days to become acclimated to the altitude. Schedule two nights in one location about the
middle of the itinerary. This will give you time to rest, wash clothes, and take in a side
hike or two.
You will be hiking in high country with elevations from 6,700feet to 12,441 feet - so you
will want to plan hikes of shorter distances than you would at home. Refer frequently to the
estimated hiking times in PHILMONT TRAILS.
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On the large Philmont map, sketch several routes that look interesting to you and your
gang. Use three different colored pencils for sketching so that each route stands out distinctly. Circle the unsbffed camps, the staffed camps, and the survival camps along each
of the routes.
Complete your tentative Philmont Trip Plan located in back of this manual.
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Be sure to bring your Philmont Trip Plan t o Philmont where you will have the opportunity
to review it with your Trip Planner.
Review steps
1. Study Philmont trails, Guidebook, and Philmont Map.
2. Select starting camp and section of Philmont you want to cover.
3. Plan for 10 nights on the trail.
4. Plan easier hikes at first and then build up for rugged ones.
5. Sketch your proposed routes.
6. Complete tentative Philmont Trip Plan.
7. Bring trip plan t o Philmont.
Note: In order to avoid over-use of trails and camps, and to take advantage of new discoveries
at Philmont, it may be necessary for your trip planner to make some changes on your prepared
trip plan,
FOUR-MILE GATE TO INDIAN WRITINGS
1. Four-Mile Gate, so named because it is four miles
from the Ponil Camp, is a new starting camp in 1966.
Beautifully situated, it commands a magnificent view
of the Ponil Canyon.
2. East of the road leading to Chandler Canyon is a jeep
trail that takes off in a northwesterly direction up
McBride Canyon.
3. The trail proceeds along the top of the ridge, overlooking both forks of the Ponil Creek. You will pass
several trails south of the jeep trail that lead to stock
watering tanks. Do not use water in stock tanks.
4. At this juncture, turn right (north) for the trail leading into Indian Writings Camp. Here you may want
to spend a day or two in the archeology program.
Or you may want to proceed up the canyon to Old
Camp and on to the Dan Beard Camp.
Note: This is mountain lion and bobcat country. You may
see tracks or other evidences of these wily animals.
For expeditions leading off from Four-Mile Gate to the
Dean country via Chandler Canyon, see Map N-6.
Four-Mile Gate to
Indian Writings
6 miles - 3.5 hours
Either way
PONlL TO INDIAN WRITINGS
TO OLD CAMP
1. Ponil was known as Five Points in the days when it
was the headquarters of the Philturn Rocky Mountain
Scout Camp, because of the five canyons which meet
here within the space of a mile - Horse Canyon,
Cedar Canyon, South Ponil Canyon, and two of the
Middle Ponil Canyons. The trail t o lndian Writings
begins behind the staff dining hall.
2. Some groups have gotten confused in this area because they turn off t o Stony Point instead of going
up Hart Peak. Be sure t o take your bearings. You
will top out on Hart Peak before descending t o
lndian Writings.
3. The trail eventually drops into a canyon where, after
some distance, it skirts a man-made pond. On the
down-canyon side of the dam, you will notice a sandstone shelf. Be careful of loose rock as you descend
into lndian Writings.
Please report any artifacts you find in the North Ponil
Canyon to the archeologist at lndian Writings.
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5. The dirt road you will follow t o Old Camp travels
along the bed of the Cimarron and Northwestern
Railroad which hauled timber from a large logging
operation in this area around the turn ofthe century.
Midway between the two camps, and not far off the
road, you can see cabin ruins. Near here, Charles
Bent founded in 1844 one of theearliest settlements
on Philmont. After the U. S. Army marched into New
Mexico i n 1846, it was taken over and used for
grazing. An old army-issue bucket dated 1845 was
found here in 1956, indicating that there may have
been a cavalry unit posted in this area.
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North Ponil Canyon was an area of intense lndian
settlement about one thousand years ago. You can
see on the rocks near lndian Writings Camp the
petroglyphs left by these people of a marginal PuebloPlains culture. Accompanied by the archeologist
housed at lndian Writings, you may visit the main
site where a pithouse and a slabhouse have been
unearthed. If you schedule a two-night stay at this
camp, you can take part in the archeology program
which includes excavation.
6.
- 2.5 hours
Ponil t o
Indian Writings
3.5 miles
Indian Writings
t o Old Camp
5 miles - 2 hours
Either way
Either way
Old Camp has two cook shelters and a windmill with
good water.
N-3
PONlL TO OLD CAMP VIA HORSE CANYON
1. The best route to and from Old Camp from Ponil
follows through Horse Canyon. Be sure to have your
canteens full, as there is no water between Ponil
and Old Camp. Tie the load on those burros securely!
2. In this area you will see the remains of cabins built
by some loggers who operated on Philmont. All
along this dry creek bed you can see large overhanging rocks where you might find Indian symbols.
This is mountain lion country. If you are lucky, you
will see lion tracks - but hardly ever the animal.
3. Groups without burros should take the right-hand
(east) trail at this junction. Because of the steepness and narrowness of this route, expeditions with
burros are advised to continue up Horse Canyon
and then take the next trail to the right.
4. From here, you follow the ridge on; then begin a
steep descent into the North Ponil Canyon. As you
look down, you can see the windmill at Old Camp.
It is farther than it looks!
5. Old Camp, located on an open, well drained slope on
the floor of the North Ponil Canyon, has two cook
shelters, a burro corral, and a windmill with good
water which still must be purified in the interests of
health. Around Old Camp you will find evidence of
early occupation. In the camp itself are remains of a
cabin. Strewn on the ground in the general vicinity
are broken parts of settlers' tools and other utilitarian items. While exploring the hillsides, you may
come upon evidence of prehistoric Indian occupation. Do not disturb any artifacts you find. Report
their location immediately t o a staff member i n order
that a trained archeologist can inspect the find and
determine its value i n piecing together the story of
ancient man on Philmont.
- 3.5 hours
Ponil to Old Camp
via Horse Canyon
5 miles
Old Camp to Ponil
5 miles -2.5 hours
via Horse Canyon
Ponil to Old Camp
via Ridge Trail
5.5 miles - 4 hours
Either way
N-3
PONlL TO OLD CAMP VIA HORSE CANYON
1. The best route to and from Old Camp from Ponil
follows through Horse Canyon. Be sure to have your
canteens full, as there is no water between Ponil
and Old Camp. Tie the load on those burros securely!
2. In this area you will see the remains of cabins built
by some loggers who operated on Philmont. All
along this dry creek bed you can see large overhanging rocks where you might find Indian symbols.
This is mountain lion country. If you are lucky, you
will see lion tracks
but hardly ever the animal.
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3. Groups without burros should take the right-hand
(east) trail at this junction. Because of the steepness and narrowness of this route, expeditions with
burros are advised t o continue up Horse Canyon
and then take the next trail to the right.
4. From here, you follow the ridge on; then begin a
steep descent into the North Ponil Canyon. As you
look down, you can see the windmill at Old Camp.
It is farther than it looks!
5. Old Camp, located on an open, well drained slope on
the floor of the North Ponil Canyon, has two cook
shelters, a burro corral, and a windmill with good
water which still must be purified in the interests of
health. Around Old Camp you will find evidence of
early occupation. In the camp itself are remains of a
cabin. Strewn on the ground in the general vicinity
are broken parts of settlers' tools and other utilitarian items. While exploring the hillsides, you may
come upon evidence of prehistoric Indian occupation. Do not disturb any artifacts you find. Report
their location immediately to a staff member in order
that a trained archeologist can inspect the find and
determine its value in piecing together the story of
ancient man on Philmont.
- 3.5 hours
Ponil t o Old C a m p
via Horse Canyon
5 miles
Old Camp t o Ponil
5 miles -2.5 hours
via Horse Canyon
Ponil t o Old C a m p
via Ridge Trail
5.5 miles
- 4 hours
Either way
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N-4
OLD CAMP TO DAN BEARD TO PONlL
1. Old Camp was once a settlement called Metcalf on
the Cimarron and Northwestern Railroad when this
area was the seat of a large logging operation. North
of Old Camp, u p the North Ponil Canyon, you can
see old ties and trestles over which the train once
ran.
The first portion of the trail to Dan Beard follows
the canyon road for about a quarter of a mile t o the
mouth of Cook Canyon where the foot trail begins.
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2. Cook Canyon is a long, dry hike on a hot day but,
nevertheless, is comparatively easy. The trail follows
the full length of Cook Canyon before breaking off t o
the left and ascendinga gradual slope until it reaches
the ridge above Bonita Canyon. About midway in
Cook Canyon, a stone fireplace still stands as a
vestige of the lumbering and ranching activities
carried on here at the turn of the century.
3. On the hill above Dan Beard, you will enjoy one ofthe
most exhilarating views Philmont has to offer. Below
you lies Bonita Canyon in which Dan Beard Trail
Camp lounges lazily in a wildflower-speckled
meadow. Off t o the west you can see Baldy Mountain
stretching its rose-colored cap high into the sky.
I n normal years, the Dan Beard well is good but,
even so, be sure to purify the water. Other facilities
include an old cabin and some cook shelters.
4.
From Dan Beard to Ponil you will follow the jeep road
which runs along the fence line until you meet the
trail dropping into Horse Canyon.
5. Along here, you will see the remains of a cabin built
by some loggers who operated on Philmont. Look for
signs of wildlife, especially mountain lion. Rattlesnakes are abundant in this country. Watch where
you put your hands and feet.
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- 2.5 hours
Old Camp to
Dan Beard
5 miles
Dan Beard
to Ponil
7 miles - 3 hours
Ponil to
Dan Beard
7 miles - 5 hours
Either way
N-5
PONIL TO NEW DEAN TO DEAN COW
From Ponil you may take burros all the way to Harlan. No burros are allowed into the Baldy area. They
must be kept east of Pueblano and north of Harlan,
inclusive.
The trail to New Dean begins directly across the
Middle Ponil Creek from the commissary building
at Ponil.
The ascent up the Skyline is arduous, especially if
this is your first extended hike at Philmont.
At the top of the Skyline you have one of the best
views on the ranch. You can see Philmont's central
section to the south, Baldy Mountain to the west,
and Colorado's Spanish Peaks to the north.
Groups hiking directly into Dean Cow Camp from
Ponil should follow the Skyline trail until it meets the
road near the entrance to Chandler Canyon. Expeditions routed into New Dean on their way to Dean Cow
will now descend the jeep road, running south off the
topof the Skyline.
New Dean Camp was named after Bob Dean, who was
a cattle foreman in this area. The water supply at
New Dean comes from a windmill-driven well. Groups
going from New Dean to Dean Cow should follow
the Dean Canyon road.
This trail leads to "Black Jack's" Hideout, where
"Black Jack" Ketchum and his gang of bank robbers
held out after a very successful "job" in Oklahoma.
He was captured here and hanged at Clayton, New
Mexico.
Dean Cow Camp derives its name from the fact that
this whole canyon was once the site of a big cattle
operation. Please leave gates as you find them either opened or closed.
Ponil to
New Dean
3 miles -2.5 hours
New Dean
to Ponil
3 miles - 2 hours
Ponli to Dean Cow
via Skyline
7 miles - 5 hours
New Dean to
Dean Cow
4 miles - 2 hours
Either way
N- 6
DEAN COW TO INDIAN WRITINGS AND PONlL
VIA CHANDLER CANYON
Neither of these routes is desirable for hiking between Dean Cow, Ponil, and lndian Writings. You
will be walking on roads which are often hot and dry.
If there is no other way that you can route between
these camps, then you will have to travel on these
roads.
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Chandler Canyon was named after the manager of
the Porter Ranch which once operated in this area.
The road through the canyon is an arduous one.
As you reach the Ponil road, groups going to Ponil
must turn left (west) and proceed up the Middle
Ponil Creek via the road. Those traveling to lndian
Writings will turn right (east) until they reach the
gate where the lndian Writings road meets the Ponil
road. The preferable route will be to travel via McBride Canyon. Then follow top of mountain road to
trail leading into lndian Writings.
4. The lndian Writings road follows the bed of the now
defunct Cimarron and Northwestern Railroad which
extended all the way up North Ponil Canyon and
beyond the Philmont property line. This railroad also
had a spur in the Middle Ponil Canyon.
5. The rimrocks on both sides of this canyon are horizontal beds of the Raton and Poison Canyon sandstone formations.
6. On arriving at lndian Writings, you will first see the
burro pen and the archeological display area. The
staff cabin, where groups check in, is about onequarter mile beyond this point.
lean Cow to Ponil
i a Chandler Canyon
7 miles
- 4.5 hours
Either way
Dean Cow to lndian
8 miles - 5.5 hours
Writings via Chandler
Either way
DEAN COW TO HARLAN
Dean Cow Camp is located in what was once a large
cattle area. Please leave gates as you find them either opened or closed. Cattle sometimes still graze
in this area.
The hike out of Dean Cow is arduous. Please do not
cut any switch-backs. Further on, when you enter
Turkey Canyon, the trail is very rough and crosses
the dry stream bed quite often. The well marked
on the topographical map does not operate. So conserve the water in your canteens.
When you reach Highway 64, you should lead your
burros through the tunnel underneath the road. Then
you will have t o wade them across the river. Please
do not bathe in the Cimarron River. Be sure t o purify
any water you take from the river, as there are many
tourists camping u p the canyon from you.
Through the Cimarron Canyon once ran a spur of
the Santa Fe Railroad. This route was supposed t o
lead all the way from Des Moines t o the west coast.
These plans were abandoned, and the track was torn
u p in 1942.
The trail t o Harlan begins on the south bank of the
river. You will follow the old railroad bed until you
reach the trail which ascends into Harlan.
Again, you travel over numerous switchbacks. Please
do not take any "short-cuts."
The trails in this area can be confusing. Harlan Camp
lies over the ridge t o the west. Cross through the
meadow and pick u p the trail on the other side before
you climb the hill.
Harlan Camp was named after the promoter of the
St. Louis, Rocky Mountain and Pacific Railroad,
Thomas P. Harlan. This railroad, which ran through
Cimarron Canyon, was built in 1906 and was later
purchased by the Santa Fe system, then abandoned.
- 5.5 hours
Dean Cow
6.2 miles
to Harlan
Either way
N-8
PONlL TO PUEBLANO TO NEW DEAN
From Ponil to Pueblano you will be traveling through
the wide and green South Ponil Canyon which
abounds with wildlife, especially deer and porcupine.
You may see old bridges on the road. These served
as stream crossings for the logging wagons which
once rolled through this canyon. If you look closely,
you can find the railroad bed of the Cimarron and
Northwestern which had lines in both the North and
South Ponil Canyons.
Pueblano could well be called the "gateway" to
Baldy, from which was taken millions of dollars
worth of gold. Groups hiking around the Pueblano
area should be extremely careful not to cross into the
impact area for the 30.06 range. Expeditions traveling t o New Dean should backtrack on the PueblanoPonil road until they reach the trail which ascends
the ridge towards New Dean.
As you can tell from the closeness of the contours
on the topographical map, this trail is very steep.
But the view you get of Baldy t o the west and Colorado's Spanish Peaks t o the north rewards your
labors.
Here the trail hits a road at the hilltop. Be sure
to pick u p the trail which leads into Spring Canyon.
The windmill at the head of Spring Canyon is inoperative. There will be no water available until
you reach New Dean.
This is the site of an old logging camp. All the
cabins have been destroyed, but some foundations
still remain. If you observe closely where the trail
crosses a dry stream bed, you will see timbers
which once served as bridges for logging wagons.
In Dean Canyon can be found many fossils of prehistoric plants. Budding paleontologists will want
t o scout the hills for promising specimens.
PonN to
Pueblano
5.5 miles - 3 hours
Either way
Pueblano to New
Dean via Spring
Canyon
6 miles - 3.5 hours
Either way
N-9
PUEBLANO TO COPPER PARK VIA
SOUTH W N l L RIVER
1. From Pueblano you can see Baldy Mountain rising
straight out of the canyon to your west. At dawn
the soft glow of sunrise plays on the peak and transforms it into a fiery ember glowing above the treetops.
2. At these ruins of a once prosperous lumbering
camp, you will hike up the South Ponil River to your
right. The t r a ~ lcontinues on the right side above
the river all the way t o French-Henry.
3. Along this river, teeming with wildlife, are beaver
dams which form crystal-clear pools where the trout
lie lurking for their food. Try your favorite fly.
4. All along the South Ponil you have seen evidence
of placer mining - old sluice boxes and large rock
piles. French-Henry Mill Site will be your first taste
of the big mining operations once carried on in the
Baldy area. Named after Henry Buruel who obtained
mining rights from Lucien Maxwell in the 1860's,
French-Henry Mine was reopened in the fall of 1938
and operated until Christmas of that year when it
was closed because of low yield and high expenses.
A tramway ran 1,040 feet to the mine entrance far
above you to the north. High up on the ridge to the
west you can see the Ponil Entrance t o the Aztec
Mine. The French-Henry area is excellent for trail
camping for a small group.
5. From French-Henry the trail climbs a rugged 720
feet before entering Copper Park.
6. Copper Park derives its name from the large amount
of blue-green copper float which is visible in this
very high mountain meadow. The pipe you see
rising from the middle of the meadow was where
a core was removed in order t o determine the
geological formation below. Underneath Copper
Park runs a tunnel of the Aztec Mine. You may camp
either in the meadow itself or in the cleared forest
t o the west of the road. Your water comes from a
pipe leading out of the Deep Tunnel Mine. Between
1899-1927 the Mclntyre Bros. drilled this mine
completely through Baldy Mountain in hopes of
discovering the "mother lode." They found nothing
of value.
You should plan on an extra day in order t o hike
t o the top of the mountain. (See the map on alter
nate routes and conditions for the climb to the top.)
hours
hours
Please do not disturb any artifacts left by the miners.
This includes old tin cans and bottles. The many old
buildings in this area are not to be used or disturbed.
Help us keep the remains intact, so that Scouts after
you may enjoy the same experience you have had. The
past awaits you in these hills.
-
N 10
FRENCH-HENRY TO THE HEAD OF DEAN CANYON
1. French.Henry Mine was first opened in the 1860's
by Henry Buruel who bought the rights from Lucien
Maxwell. The shaft itself is situated high above you
to the north. As you look towards Baldy Mountain
(west) you can see the Ponil Entrance to the Aztec
Mine on the ridge to your left. The artifacts found
around French-Henry reveal that there was a small
mill for processing ore dug out in the South Ponil
Area.
From French-Henry, expeditions routed to the Head
of Dean Canyon should start hiking on the old
mining road which begins at the mill site.
2. You will encounter several junctions as you walk
along this road. Keep to your left each time. At this
point your Philmont map indicates a trail (actually,
it is an old mining road) which you will now follow.
3. At this meadow your route crosses the trail leading
from Pueblano to Baldy Town. You will continue
on the road.
4. The old road leading in here, one-half mile south
of the meadow where the Pueblano-Baldy Town trail
crosses, is a good route to Baldy Area Trail Camp.
located in the series of meadows between Baldy
Town and Miranda.
5. This intersection can be confusing because the
three roads that meet here are marked on the
topographical map as trails. Be sure to take your
bearings. You should continue on what is marked
on the map as a jeep trail.
6. This large meadow, located at the Head of Dean
Canyon, serves as an excellent trail camp to cut
short what would be a very long hike from FrenchHenry to New Dean. In dry years, however, you may
have to go all the way t o New Dean because this
spring almost disappears. This would add 2 hours
and 5.2 miles to your hike.
Going from French-Henry to New Dean may be
too arduous. Think twice before planning to do so.
Remember, mines in the Baldy area are unsafe to enter.
Please do not disturb any artifacts left by the miners
French-Henry to the
Head of Dean Canyon
6.5 miles - 4 hours
N-11
PUEBLANO TO BALDY TOWN VIA SOUTH FORK
OF THE SOUTH PONlL
1. From Pueblano you will be traveling through Philmont's newest addition the Baldy country from which was taken seven million dollars worth
of gold.
-
2. These ruins mark the terminus of the Cimarron
and Northwestern Railroad which hauled timber
out of the prosperous lumbering camp located here.
3. At the second ruins area, a trail takes off up the
ridge toward Miranda. You should continue up the
South Fork of the South Ponil towards Baldy Town.
4. The meadow you enter here was once a corral for
horses used by miners working out of Baldy Town.
At the edge of this meadow a trail runs west up the
ridge until it meets a mining road leading into Baldy
Town. This is your route.
5. All underneath this ridge winds the myriad tunnels
of the Aztec Mine, Lucien Maxwell's profitable
source of gold. When the trail meets the road, turn
left.
6. Baldy Town was the mill center for the Aztec Mine
between 1868 and 1942. Once the population of
Baldy Town numbered 200 people. You can still
see the fireplace of the town's hotel. The school
house has been reconstructed, and the walls of
other buildings are still standing. On the rocky
flat below Baldy Town lived the Spanish-American
laborers in a settlement called Chihuahua. Be sure
t o learn from the staff here as much as you can
about the history of this gold-mining center.
From Baldy Town you can climb Baldy Mountain.
See the map pertaining to routes and conditions
for the climb.
All mines in the Baldy Area are unsafe to enter.
The many old buildings in this area are not to be used
or disturbed. Help irs keep these remains intact so
that Scouts after you may enjoy the same sense of discovery you have had. The past awaits you in these hill$.
Pueblano to Baldy
6.5 miles - 5 . 5 hours
Town via South Fork
of the South Ponil
Baldy Town to
Pueblano via South
Fork of the South
Ponil
6 . 5 miles - 4 hours
PUEBLANO TO MIRANDA
1. Pueblano Camp serves as the gateway to the Baldy
country, Philmont's newest addition and an area
of great interest to historians because of the extensive mining operations which took place here
over the past century.
2. At this junction the South Ponil River and the
South Fork of the South Ponil meet i n an area
known as the Ruins. Here you will see the remains
of a prosperous logging camp which once was the
terminus of the Cimarron and Northwestern Railroad. Expeditions hiking to Miranda should turn
left (west) and proceed up the South Fork of the
South Ponil.
3. A mile from the Ruins junction, just beyond the
second ruins indicated on the Philmont map, the
trail to Miranda goes up the ridge and meets an
old mining road which leads into the jeep trail to
Miranda marked on the topographical map.
4. This intersection may be confusing because it is
not marked clearly. Two old mining roads - one
from Baldy and the other from the second ruins
area on the South Fork of the South Ponil - come
together here at a well used service road leading
into Miranda.
5. At this junction be sure to turn right. The road
coming i n on your left leads off the ranch. Miranda
is now less than a mile away.
6. Miranda, a huge sloping meadow surrounded by
aspen, features short side trips to Lake Doris for
fishing and to the Black Horse mine area where
the equipment of an old stamp mill still stands in
good condition. A stream slices the Miranda
meadow, where a Four-H Camp once stood.
From Miranda you can take a long side hike to the
top of Baldy Mountain. See the map pertaining to
routes and conditions for the climb.
Keep these remains intact so that Scouts after you may
enjoy the same sense of discovery you have had.
Pueblano to
Miranda
6 miles - 4.5 hours
Either way
N - 13
COPPER PARK TO MIRANDA
VIA BLACK HORSE TRAIL
1. If you are trail camplng at Copper Park, a sidd
hlke to Baldy Town for the mlning program presented by the staff there would be hlghly worthwh~le. Or you might attend the program on your
way through Baldy Town from Copper Park ti3
Mlranda. From Copper Park you follow the Azted
R~dgeroad all the way Into Baldy Town.
2. A labyrinth of Aztec Mine tunnels winds underneatn
this whole ridge. Pleasg~sJgy away from mine shafts
and test pits.
3. Baldy Town was once the center of a prosperou$
mining operation. You can see the remains of tha
hotel. The school house has been restored. Belo*
the town are a number of settling ponds used ta
catch waste material from the mill.
4. The most scenic route from Baldy Town to Mirandq
is Black Horse Trail which follows an old minina,
road a short distance until it reaches the Monteizuma Mine. The road continues over the dumps oC
the Rebel Chief Group and, five-tenths of a mila
later, enters the Black Horse Canyon where it
descends gradually into the canyon floor.
5. Where the road meets the Black Horse Creek, yo1
should drop your packs and walk a short distancf
up the stream t o see the Black Horse mill site. Thi!
old stamp mill, operated between 1893 and 1907
was used t o crush ore obtained from the Blacl
Horse Mine.
From here you descend the old mining road whicl
parallels the creek most of the way
iranda.
6. Miranda boasts a huge mountain meadow, ringe(
with aspen and a lake suitable for fishing. You ma:
see elk in this area, as well as beaver and will
turkey. Before Philmont acquired this land, Mirand;
was a Four-H Camp.
Copper Park to
Baldy Town
3 miles
Baldy Town to
3 miles
- 1.5 hours
- 2 hours
Copper Park
Baldy Town to
3.5 miles - 2 hours
Miranda via
Black Horse Traii
Miranda to
Baldy Town via
Black Horse Traii
3.5 miles - 3 hours
Keep these remains intact so that Scouts after you may
enjoy the same sense of discovery you have had.
SIDE HIKES UP BALDY MOUNTAIN
A. From Copper Park - This is the best, safest, and
quickest access t o the top of Baldy. West of the
Copper Park meadow, you will reach a cabin just
before a big turn in the road. At this bend, continue straight ahead on the foot trail. After fifty
yards, you will encounter two switch-backs. Please
stay on the trail. The trail continues up the canyon
one-half mile before ending. From this point continue u p the main canyon which will bring you
northwest of the top of Baldy Mountain on a saddle.
From the saddle, follow the ridge to the top. Do not
try to hike up the face of Baldy above the Deep
Tunnel Mine.
B. From Baldy Town - This trail is unmarked. From
Baldy Town, head west up Ute Creek and continue
to the saddle south of Baldy and then t o the top.
Use your map and compass. You may want to consult with the staff before your final assault to the
top of Baldy.
C. From Miranda -This way is longer than the other
two and is also unmarked. Follow the Black Horse
Creek past the mill site and continue up the draw
to the ridge and then over t o Baldy. Map and
compass are necessities.
Baldy Mountain Climb - 1 whole day side trip
Back in the old days, the Baldy Town folk used to take Sunday trips to the top of Baldy from which can be seen
northeastern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Baldy Mountain was the fertile womb of an active mining district.
To the west, you look down on the Moreno Valley, where Elizabethtown once housed three thousand people, most of
whom were engaged in mining. The far range in that direction includes Mount Wheeler, the highest mountain in New
Mexico. To the southwest is Eagle Nest Lake with a small town nestled at its head. Just below the top of Baldy on
its western side, you can see the entrance of the Mystic Mine. A copper mine, it was the first shaft sunk in the Baldy
area. The finding of copper led to the discovery of gold. Several soldiers stationed at Cimarron obtained from Indians
copper that had been found near Baldy. They went t o Moreno Valley side of Baldy to sink a copper mine and found
Conditions for the Climb Up Baldy Mountain
Leave your packs at your campsite. Plan on an extra day at your base camp in order to make the climb. Carry your
map, compass, canteen, poncho, and also your lunch if you wish. All expeditions going to the top of Baldy must have
adequate leadership and must stay together - both up and down. Do not negotiate the face of Baldy itself. Use one
of the three routes listed above. Please do not leave flags or erect towers on top of Baldy. If you want to leave your
mark on Philmont do a worthwhile conservation project. Enjoy your climb!
N
- 19:
MIRANDA TO NEW DEAN
1. Miranda Camp, a lush sloping park in the Baldy
area, was named after Guadalupe Miranda, one of
the holders of a huge New Mexican land grant o t
which Philmont is less than one-tenth. Groups routed
from Miranda t o New Dean face a long and arduous
hike. You should plan on leaving early and eating
your lunch along the way.
2. At this junction, you will take the jeep trail which
starts up the hill t o your left (north). Most of the:
way into New Dean you will be following a road.
3. Keep on the main route when you reach this confusing intersection. Two old mining roads cominge
in on the left j o ~ nthis jeep t r a ~ you
l
are hiking on.
4. This large mountain park is at the Head of Dean
Canyon. It would be an excellent camp t o break up
a long hike, but in dry years the spring here some- .
times disappears. Check at Camping Headquarters
about the availabil~tyof water here.
**'
5. Here you will see the remains of Old Dean, one of
the original camps when Philmont was known as
the Philturn Rocky Mountam Scout Camp. There
usually is no water ava~lablehere.
6. New Dean Camp is situated in a canyon rich in
fossils. Look among the rocks and you may find the
imprints of prehistoric plants.
A hike from New Dean to Miranda could include an
overnight trail camp at the Head of Dean Canyon.
Plan on a "survival trail camp" with the possibilities
of little or no water except what you carry in your
canteens and water bags.
New Dean
New Dean t(
Miranda
N-16
NEW DEAN TO THE BENCH TRAIL CAMP
1. From New Dean your hike will be steep and uphill
until you top the ridge below Lookout Tower.
2. This tower is operated by the New Mexico Forest
Service for the purpose of spotting fires. If the
rangers are in residence, they may allow you to
come u p the tower where you will have a spectacular
view of the Philmont country. Do not disturb any
equipment.
From the top of the ridge below the tower, you will
descend into Bear Canyon. Be sure not t o head
off into Turkey Creek Canyon.
$3. This extremely steep downhill portion of the trail
can be just as exhausting as the hardest uphill and
more dangerous. Do not run or you may sprain an
ankle.
4. You must go through the culvert under Highway 6 4
and then wade across the Cimarron River. You will
find the trail on the other side, directly across from
the mouth of Bear Canyon. You will be hiking along
the south bank of the river for almost a mile before
you start uphill for the Bench.
5. This would be a good place for a trail camp. The
spring at the Bench may be dry. At this point, the
trail starts uphill and goes through a series of
meadows before you reach the Bench Trail Camp.
Any water you take from the Cimarron River must
be purified with two iodine tablets per quart, instead
of the normal dosage.
6. The spring at the Bench has ceased flowing in dry
years. You should check at Camping Headquarters
about the availability of water here. If the spring is
not running, you will have t o obtain water from the
Cimarron River.
The Bench Trail Camp, a green meadow which looks
out on Baldy Mountain, was where the Philmont
Hymn was composed.
I f you plan on camping at the Bench, you should route
your hike from the Dean Approach. Going up Bear
Canyon can be a "killer."
You may n o t take burros down Bear Canyon. Groups
using Burros should use Turkey Canyon.
5 miles - 3 hours
5 miles
- 5 hours
N - 17
NEW DEAN TO HARLAN VIA TURKEY CANYON
1. Groups routed directly from New Dean to Harlan
should take the trail down Turkey Creek Canyon.
The first part of your hike, from New Dean to Lookout Tower, is fairly steep.
2.
From Lookout Tower fire-watchers scout nothern
New Mexico for forest fires. Enjoy the magnificent
view you get from this point.
3. "Black Jack" Ketchum and his gang of bank robbers
hid here after a very successful "job" in Oklahoma.
He was captured and hanged at Clayton, New Mexico.
4. Turkey Canyon changes moods quickly. One hour it
can be hot and dry; the next, a huge gully-washer
can come whipping through, carrying destruction
in its path. Watch out for flash floods.
5 . There is no water at this well. Do not empty your
canteens. Just past the well, you will see the cutoff to Dean Cow Camp. From here, the trail down
the canyon is rough and enters the dry stream bed
quite often.
6. At this point you meet Highway 64. Groups and
burros should use the tunnel. The banks of the
Cimarron River are excellent for a rest stop. Please
do not bathe in the river. If you take water from it,
be sure to use a double dosage of iodine tablets,
as there are many tourists camping up the canyon
from you. Along this canyon, once ran a spur of the
Santa Fe Railroad, linking Des Moines and Ute
Park. Plans, later abandoned, called for the route
to extend all the way to the west coast.
From the north side of the river, wade your burros
across. You will pick up the trail on the south bank.
7. The route up to Harlan can be arduous. Many switchbacks have been cut into the side of this hill to
make your hiking a little easier. Please do not cut
switch-backs. Doing so causes serious erosion.
8. At Harlan you will drop off your burros before proceeding south. Expeditions going north can pick up
burros here.
C- 1
CLARKS FORK TO HARLAN VIA WEBSTER CAMP
1. In the shadow of Shaefers Peak and surrounded by
pines, Clarks Fork is a perfect place to become accustomed t o the altitude before you head into the
high country.
2. If you are hiking to Harlan from Clarks Fork, you
should walk down the Clarks Fork road until you
meet the Cimarroncito Road, which you will follow
to the head of Webster Reservoir.
3. Here, about a mile from the lake, is Webster Camp.
If you plan on fishing in the reservoir, you might
want t o camp here.
4. George H. Webster, Jr., built this reservoir in 1910
in order to irrigate his Urraca Ranch, centered where
Camping Headquarters now stands. You can catch
bluegill, bass and trout here. The fishing is often
excellent.
On your way to Harlan you now follow an old road
which leads up Deer Lake Mesa to the north of the
reservoir. You are in for some steep uphill climbing.
5. Vaca Pond is stagnant and should not be used for
drinking water. Harlan Camp has good water and is
just over the hill.
6. Harlan Camp derives its name from Thomas P. Harlan, the promoter of the St. Louis, Rocky Mountain
and Pacific Railroad which ran through the Cimarron
Canyon.
From the ridge above Harlan you can see out past
Cimarron to the mesa-dotted New Mexico plains,
the Tooth of Time Ridge, and north into Colorado.
Ask the staff here about side hikes to Deer Lake
and the "Face on the Rock."
At Harlan you can pick up burros to take into Philmont's north country.
Clarks Fork t o
Harlan
7 miles
- 4.5 hours
Harlan to
Clarks Fork
7 miles
- 3.5 hours
C-2
WEBSTER TO CIMARRONCITO TO SAWMILL
At Webster Camp you are but a short distance from
the reservoir where you can catch bluegill, bass,
and trout. You have a choice of two routes to Cimarroncito. You can hike up the ieep trail through Ute
Gulch to Aspen Springs Trail Camp and then to
Cimarroncito, or you can hike on the road past
Cimarroncito Reservoir and up to the camp itself.
Cimarroncito R e s e ~ o i rsupplies water to the town
of Cimarron. It was built i n 1907 by George H.
Webster, Jr. The wire-wrapped wooden pipe, which
he installed to carry water into the town, was partially replaced with cast iron pipe in early 1966.
NO SWIMMING, PLEASE!
Rising above the reservoir is Cathedral Rock. As
you look at it from across the lake, you will agree
that it is well named. On the ridge behind Cathedral
Rock is Window Rock.
Waite Phillips built this hunting lodge as a station
from which to hunt Philmont's big game which includes deer, bear and elk.
Cimarroncito Camp stretches for over a mile down
into this big valley. Complete with a colorful campfire circle, showers and cook shelters, Cimarroncito
is one of the best-equipped camps on the ranch.
Follow your ranger's advice on securing hard-tofind wood in the heavily camped areas.
From Cimarroncito you can side hike to Webster
Parks, high on the ridge above the camp, or you
can climb the "hogback" ridge above your campsite. You may want to walk leisurely through Hidden
Valley.
Sawmill Canyon was once the scene of a large and
fairly recent logging operation. Wood is plentiful,
and good trail campsites are available all up and
down the Sawmill Creek.
..L
.
-
Clmarronclto to
Webster vla Road
4.5 miles - 2.5 hours
Webster Camp to
Cimarroncito via
Ute ~ u f c h
- ~Cimarroncitoto
Webster Via Ute
Gulch
_,Cimarroncito
to
>
Sawmill Camp
-.?
7
I
-8
4 miles
-
2 hours
Either way
Sawmill Camp sits on a hill not far from the junction
of the two forks of Sawmill Creek. Since this camp
was just opened in 1965, this country has hardly
been touched. The entire canyon is an excellent
place for the study of forestry and lumbering.
C-3
CIMARRONCITO TO HARLAN VIA
DEER LAKE MESA
1. Cimarroncito is a good branching off spot for trips
either north or south. On your way to Harlan you
walk through the length of the valley until you meet
a trail that veers east and down the slope.
2. Aspen Springs makes a good trail camp. Facilities
include a cabin and an adequate water supply. Be
sure to purify all water you take from springs,
streams and ponds on Philmont.
3. Be certain to take the correct trail at this junction.
Deer Lake Mesa is straight in front of you (east).
You will walk down the jeep trail a short distance
until you see the foot trail starting up the mesa.
From here you will be climbing continually until you
reach Harlan. The side of the mesa affords a spectacular view of the Tooth of Time Ridge.
4. Vaca Pond is stagnant and should not be used for
a water supply.
5. You will walk through a large park and over a little
ridge before you finally reach Harlan. From here
you can take burros into Philmont's north country.
6. A trip to the top of Deer Lake Mesa might make an
enjoyable side hike. The water of the lake is not
good for drinking. Bring full canteens. If you
schedule an extra day at Harlan, you will be able
to take a side trip to the "Face on the Rock."
Cimarroncito
to Harlan via
Deer Lake Mesa
5.5 miles - 3 hours
Either way
C-4
HARLAN TO THE BENCH TRAIL CAMP
1. You will NOT be able t o take burros from Harlan to
the Bench and then north up Bear Canyon. If you
plan on using burros, you must route your trip
through Turkey Creek Canyon.
2. You should exercise caution in passing this point.
The road is badly washed out beyond the pump at
this spring, which serves as the water supply for
Harlan.
3. In wet weather the road is under water in this area.
Use your own discretion in getting around it.
4. In wet seasons a lake forms at this point, making
the trail difficult t o find. Be sure t o take your bearings accurately.
5. A staff member at the Bench Camp in 1947 wrote
the Philmont Hymn. As you look out towards Ute
Park and Baldy Mountain, you will understand the
source of his inspiration - "purple mountains rise
against an azure sky."
In dry years the spring at the Bench has ceased
flowing. You may be able t o raise the lid of the
spring box and dip water out. Use a clean bucket.
If no water is available, you will have to hike down
t o the Cimarron River. There are some places by
the river that would be suitable for camping. Any
water you take from the river should be doubly
purified - t w o lodine tablets per quart, instead of
one. There are many tourists camping up the canyon from you.
I
Harlan to the
6.2 miles - 4 hours
Bench
Either way
C-5
BENCH TRAIL CAMP TO CIMARRONCITO
AND SAWMILL
The Bench is a grassy mountain park above Ute
Park. You have an excellent view of Philmont's
Baldy Mountain, from which was taken millions of
dollars worth of gold. To the left of Baldy, you can
see Touch-Me-Not Mountain.
The trail from the Bench to both Cimarroncito and
Sawmill camps is long and tiring. Plan on breaking
camp early and spending most of the day hiking.
Take full canteens because good water is not available until you reach Sawmill Canyon or Ute Gulch.
A lake may form here in wet seasons. If you meet
this body of water which obliterates the trail, you
should make a sharp turn to the right and head
into the brush along the gully until you are able to
return t o the trail.
Devil's Wash Basin becomes quite stagnant during
the summer. If you must use its water, be sure t o
strain and purify it carefully.
Above Ute Gulch, from Ute Park Pass, you get a great
view of the Tooth of Time Ridge. This was where
Ansel Adams, the famous wildlife photographer, took
several pictures which appeared in a 1962 BOYS'
LIFE feature story on Philmont.
Groups hiking to Cimarroncito should travel through
Ute Gulch.
When the trail from Ute Park Pass meets the Sawmill Creek, groups going to Sawmill Camp should
hike up-canyon. All along here are good spots for
trail camps.
This area around Sawmill Camp was the scene of
a fairly recent logging operation. Many logging
roads lace through this canyon. Be wary of straying
off on them. Sawmill Camp is located on a hill not
far from the junction of the two forks of the Sawmill
Creek. Wood is plentiful around the campsites.
Cimarroncito Camp comprises over a mile of a large
valley. Facilities include cook shelters and showers.
-
The Bench to
Sawmill Camp
8.3 miles 6 hours
Either way
The Bench t o
Cimarroncito
8.5 miles - 6 hours
Either way
C-6
CIMARRONCITO TO CLARKS FORK
TO MINERS PARK VIA SHAEFERS PASS
1. There are many opportunities for side hikes around
Cimarroncito. You can walk to Webster Parks, Hidden Valley, Cimarroncito Reservoir; or you can look
down on the entire valley from atop the "hogback."
2. Waite Phillips used this lodge as a headquarters
during hunting season.
3.
From here you get a picture-postcard shot of Cimarroncito Reservoir and Cathedral Rock. George H.
Webster, Jr., built this lake in 1907 in order to sell
water to the people in Cimarron. The wire-wrapped
wooden pipe he installed t o carry water t o the town
was partially replaced by cast iron pipe in early
1966.
4.
Both Cimarroncito and Clarks Fork are in the midst
of bear country. You should be able to find both
bear tracks and bears themselves. Although Philmont's black bears are not ornery by nature, they
can be dangerous when provoked. Under no circumstances should you separate a mother bear
from her cubs or i n any other way antagonize these
wild animals.
5. The climb up Shaefers Pass from Clarks Fork is one
of the hardest climbs on the ranch. For this reason, you should not plan on taking a side hike t o
the Tooth of Time from Clarks Fork, unless you
allow a complete day.
6. Shaefers Pass makes an excellent trail camp. Check
at Camping Headquarters about the availability of
water here. If you want to hike down the Tooth of
Time Ridge into headquarters on your last day, plan
on spending your last night on top of the pass.
7. You can make a good trail camp in the area where
this trail crosses the Urraca Creek.
8. Miners Park served as a rest stop for miners on
their way to the diggings. After your climb over
Sheafers Pass you, too, will find this large park to
be a welcome resting place.
Cimarroncito
to Clarks Fork
3 miles - 1.5 hours
Either way
I
C-7
CIMARRONCITO AND CLARKS FORK
TO CYPHERS MINE
1. The route to Cyphers begins on the service road
leading out of Cimarroncito. Just below the hunt.
ing lodge, built by Waite Phillips, you head west
on the old mining road.
2. The best way to Cyphers is on the Middle Fork
road. This route was heavily damaged during the
rains of 1965. Be alert to the powerful affects of
erosion as exemplified by the severe wash-outs you
will see.
The North Fork was rendered virtually impassable
by the rains. You should not plan on hiking this
way into Cyphers.
Purify all water you take out of the stream in the
Middle Fork canyon.
3. A short-cut now exists, linkins two parts of t h old
~
road into Cyphers. Groups going to Lambert Mine
Trail Camp should continue straight ahead. Those
traveling to Cyphers should take the trail linking
the two parts of the Cyphers road.
4. Charlie Cyphers worked a mine here for ten years
around the turn of the centuly. Because he was
showing only meager profit for his efforts, he closed
down the operation.
You will be able to tour the Contention Mine which
extends several hundred feet into the mountain.
You should also visit the mining museum to view
the artifacts of days gone by.
Groups traveling from Cyphers to Cimarroncito may
be able to take the North Fork trail. Expeditions
routed to Black Mountain Camp from Cyphers can
use the circle trail leading out through Lambert
Mine Trail Camp.
5. Lambert Mine would make a good place for trail
camping. The creek here offers an ample water
supply, and wood is fairly plentiful. Lambert once
sewed as a mining area. You can see some ruined
cabins and a large rock slide below a caved-in mine.
Cimarroncito to
6 miles
- 3.5 hours
Cyphers Mine to
Cimarroncito
6 miles
- 2.5 hours
Clarks Fork to
6.3 miles
- 4 hours
Cyphers Mine to
6 . 3 miles
- 3 hours
C-8
CLEAR CREEK TO CYPHERS MINE
AND SAWMILL
1. On the banks of the upper Rayado Creek, Clear
Creep Camp lies in the shadow of Mount Phillips.
If you plan your trip over the top of the mountain
from the Sawmill side, you will be taking one of
the hardest and roughest hikes on the ranch. Be
sure to break camp early because you will spend
most of the day hiking. Carry full canteens as there
is no water between camps.
2. From Clear Creek Camp you climb 1,520 feet to
the peak. Follow the fence line. In 1960 this peak,
formerly called Clear Creek, was renamed in honor
of Waite Phillips, who gave these majestic mountains for us to enjoy. The panorama you have from
the top is difficult to match anywhere else on the
ranch.
Do not wander off the side of the mountain. Stick
close together. On your way t o Cyphers and Sawmill you should walk along the top until the trail
starts dropping on the way to Comanche Peak.
3. At this saddle groups hiking to Cyphers should
turn their backs to Touch-Me-Not Mountain and
walk down the road into Cyphers. Those traveling to
Sawmill should take the jeep trail, continuing along
the ridge.
Cyphers Mine is situated in a narrow canyon with
a small creek running through it. Charlie Cyphers
operated a mine here around the turn of the century. He made no profit and had to close down.
At Cyphers you can visit the museum, filled with
artifacts of the mining days.
Sawmill Camp sits just above the junction of the
forks of Sawmill Creek. This area has been used
little for camping and is close t o its natural state.
4. At this point you have a choice of routes into Sawmill. You can take the road to your right, or you
may take the path to your left. The former is quicker;
the latter is more scenic.
5. Sawmill Camp was at one time the site of an ex.
tensive logging operation.
CYPHERS MINE TO RED HILLS TRAIL CAMP
&
J
1. Around the turn of the century, Cyphers area sewed
as a small mining region. Compared t o the mining
done in the Baldy country Cyphers was a "piker."
The c l ~ m bout of Cyphers up the road to the saddle
and then on the trail to Comanche Peak is a rough
one. You climb from 9,200 feet t o 11,086 feet.
Take water with you as none is available until you
reach Red Hills.
From this saddle below Comanche Peak, you have
a magnificent view of Touch-Me-Not and Baldy
mountains. The trail now winds southwest up
Comanche Peak.
3. Here, on the side of Comanche Peak, you can drop
your packs and take a side hike to Mount Phillips.
Allow at least two hours. This extra time on the
trail will be well rewarded by the breath-taking
panorama you see from the top.
,
,a
4. This peak, formerly called Clear Creek, was renamed
in honor of Waite Phillips, who donated this big
country for us to enjoy. Early in the summer you
will find snow on top of the mountain.
Look for the Vertical Angle Bench Mark on top of
Mount Phillips. These three altitude markers were
sitioned by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Sury, Department of the Interior.
.
6 miles
- 5 hours
6 miles
- 3 hours
4 miles - 2.5 hours
Round-trip
At the head of Comanche Creek lies Red Hills Trail
- Imp. From here you might want to take a side
.te to Big Red, which is 11,024 feet high. The
iil starts one-half mile down the creek from the
mpsite. Follow the paint on the trees and rocks
RED HILLS TRAIL CAMP TO PORCUPINE
C-10
1. At the head of Comanche Creek, Red Hills Trail
Camp lies in a canyon below Big Red. Hiking to
Porcupine, you have a choice of routes. You can
follow Comanche Creek down t o the Rayado Creek
and then to Porcupine; or, climb up the side of
Big Red and follow the ridge trail which descends
through Brownsea along the Porcupine Creek. The
former is easier, and both are scenic routes.
The trail up Big Red begins less than one-half mile
below Red Hills Trail Camp. Follow the paint on
trees and rocks up this gully. If you are taking the
easier route to Porcupine, hike along Comanche
Creek.
2. Here you encounter the Rayado Creek, which is excellent for fishing. Notice the scenic aspen and
spruce forest along your route. You will see much
Douglas fir, chief source of timber in the United
States.
3. Crooked Creek Camp comprises a high mountain
park tucked above the Rayado Creek. Facilities include a cabin and an excellent water supply. You
may want t o camp here.
4. Try fishing in the Rayado Creek around Porcupine.
Groups have been able t o supplement their trail
food with a trout supper by wetting their fishing
lines.
5. Along Porcupine Creek, one-half mile from Porcupine Camp, is Brownsea, another good site for
trail camping. You will find an old cabin and an
adequate water supply.
Red Hills Trail Camp
to Porcupine
Porcupine to
5.5 miles - 4 hours
to Porcupine via
5.2 miles - 3 hours
Brownsea
Brownsea to Red Hills
@.
..
5.2 miles - 4 hours
6. The climb up the hill above Buck Creek Camp will
tire you, but your reward - a pretty meadow sliced
by a trout stream -serves as compensation. You
would enjoy trail camping here.
~
C-11
RED HILLS TO BLACK MOUNTAIN
AND BEAUBIEN
On your way to Black Mountain or Beaubien from
Red Hills, you will be hiking up the side of Big
Red. This rugged trail begins less than one-half
mile below Red Hills Trail Camp. Follow the paint
on trees and rocks.
As you reach the timberless area on the side of
Big Red, you might want t o drop your packs and
walk to the top. You will see from there the entire
southern section of Philmont country. Look for
La Grulla Park, high above the Rayado Canyon to
the south. This land belongs t o the McDaniel
Ranch.
Orient your Philrnont topographical map i n order
to recognize other landmarks.
At this junction you will see three trails heading
in different directions. The east trail leads to Black
Mountain Camp over a scenic but little-used route
along the Urraca Creek. The middle trail heads over
Bonito Peak into Beaubien. The westerly trail leads
to Porcupine Camp via Brownsea and Porcupine
Creek.
This trail into Black Mountain Camp has been used
very little, but it affords the best access into the
Black Mountain area. From the junction, it drops
over the hill and follows along the Urraca Creek.
If you lose the trail, take a compass bearing on the
creek and then follow it down to Black Mountain
Camp.
Near this fork is a caved-in miner's cabin, a remnant of gold-digging days of the past.
Beneath towering Black Mountain and bordering
on a sparkling stream, Black Mountain Camp is one
of the most scenic sites on the ranch. You will be
able to pan for gold here.
The trail over the top of Bonito Peak to Beaubien
is a very scenic route.
5 miles - 3.5 hours
B l a c k Mountain
Black Mountain
Beaubien to
Red Hills
5 miles - 4.5 hours
5.5 miles
- 3.5 hours
5.5 miles
- 4.5 hours
Beaubien, a large mountain park ringed by aspen,
serves as the crossroads of the south. Visit the
Trapper's Lodge.
C . 12
BEAUBIEN TO BLACK MOUNTAIN TO CYPHERS MINE
1. From Beaubien Camp, named after one of the
grantees of a huge New Mexican land grant of which
Philmont is less than one-tenth, you will climb 400
feet and then drop 800 feet before reaching Black
Mountain Camp. Please do not cut the numerous
switch-backs on the Black Mountain side of the
trail. Doing so causes serious erosion.
2. In 1897 a retired Army colonel, Samuel Matthews,
carried on a hydraulic mining operation along the
North Fork of the Urraca Creek. He and his ten
employees packed in 600 feet of pipe and several
thousand board feet of lumber. In 1898, when the
creek went dry, he left.
--
There are no mine shafts at Black Mountain Camp,
but you can still see the pipe Matthews hauled in.
The gold panning here is among the best on the
ranch.
7
-
n
3. One-half mile beyond Black Mountain Camp you
can see a sluice box and a canal used for placermining. Further on, you will see a caved-in cabin,
which was used by miners years ago.
4. Comanche Pass is steep, especially on the Lambert Mine side. Use proper hiking methods so as
to avoid twisted ankles. Do not cut switch-backs.
5. Lambert Mine, with an old cabin and an adequate
water supply, makes a good spot for a trail camp.
The mine shaft in this area has caved in. You can
see the rock pile denoting its location. To Cyphers
you can take the steep but shorter trail up the
mountain, or you can follow the longer but easier
road around. Along the steeper part of this circle
trail, you will see many mine tailings and some
caved-in shafts.
6. The Contention Mine at Cyphers is open for your
inspection. Also, visit the museum where mining
artifacts are displayed.
hours
.5 hours
hours
C - 13
BLACK MOUNTAIN TO MINERS PARK
TO STOCKADE
1. From Black Mountain Camp, one of the most scenic
on the ranch, you may want to side hike up Black
Mountain - 10,892 feet high. Do not attempt to
take your packs up the mountain. Although it is
marked on the topographical map, the trail from
Black Mountain to Shaefers Pass is practically
obliterated.
In 1897 Samuel Matthews, a retired Army colonel,
did some hydraulic mining in the Black Mountain
area. You can still see part of the 600 feet of pipe
and a portion of the several thousand board feet
of lumber he and his ten employees hauled in.
2. Philmont rangers prefer the trail along the North
Fork of the Urraca to almost any other route on the
ranch because of its rugged beauty. Look for bear
along this creek.
3. Grizzly Tooth, as you can see by looking at it, is
well named. A sharp out-crop of rock jutting into
the sky, it looks like the fang from a nightmarishly
large bear.
4. Along the Urraca Creek from Black Mountain to
Miners Park are scenic spots for trail camping.
Purify the water you take out of the stream. There
are many Scouts camping above you.
5. Ponderosa pine surround Miners Park, a good place
for the study of forestry.
6. Notice how water acts as the artisan of nature.
The 1965 flood scooped much topsoil out of this
canyon and reduced the floor and side walls to
rock. You will cross through the Urraca many
times. Watch your step on slippery rocks. Use the
good hiking methods your ranger taught you.
7. Stockade, fashioned after the old frontier forts,
offers one of the best accesses to the top of the
Tooth of Time. Plan on at least four hours for the
round trip. Do not try to take your packs to the
top. Ask the staff at Stockade about the best route
to the top.
Black Mountain
to Miners Park
5.5 miles - 3 hours
Miners Park to
Black Mountain
5.5 miles - 4 hours
Miners Park to
Stockade
4.8 miles - 3 hours
Stockade to
Miners Park
C - 14
MINERS PARK TO CAMPING HEADQUARTERS
VIA TOOTH OF TIME RIDGE
1. Comprising a large meadow ringed by Ponderosa
pine, Miners Park served as a rest spot for miners
on their way to the diggings. Don't get too friendly
with the bears here - they can be ornery.
2. Urraca Creek has some nice spots for a night of
trail camping. The climb up Shaefers Pass is rugged.
Please do not cut switch-backs.
3. Shaefers Pass serves as an excellent trail camp.
Check at Camping Headquarters about the availability of water here. From Shaefers Pass you will
climb 640 feet to Shaefers Peak and then follow
along the ridge trail. Although you can see the
Tooth from Shaefers Peak, it is farther than it
looks. Don't be discouraged if it is not right around
the corner. Carry water with you because there is
none along the ridge trail.
4. There is no distinct path linking the ridge trail with
the Tooth. If you are carrying packs, drop them and
a sheer
find your way up the back of the Tooth
monolith of dacite porphyry. The Tooth is 9,000
feet high, and it gives you an excellent view of the
southern and central sections of the ranch. Far
below you t o the south, you can see Stockade.
Camping Headquarters is at the end of the ridge
to your left.
-
Miners Park to
8 miles - 6 hours
Camping Headquarters
via Tooth of Time
Ridge
8 miles - 6 hours
Clarks Fork t o
Camping Headquarters
via Tooth of T i m e Ridge
A side hike to the Tooth is best made from Stockade.
If you are carrying packs, do not plan on hiking
up the ridge from Camping Headquarters or Stockade. You should plan on a night of trail camping;
then walk over the ridge into Camping Headquarters
the next day. Otherwise, if you want to hike the
ridge trail with packs, you will have to walk from
Miners Park or from Clarks Fork into Camping
Headquarters on your last day.
PHILMONT TqAILF
south. C
RAYADO TO NEW ABREU VIA
SERVICE ROAD OR TOOTHACHE SPRING
1. Rayado Camp will be one of seven starting camps
from which your group may start its expedition.
It also serves as the site of the National Junior
Leader Instructor Training Camp and the Conservation Training Camp. The Philmont Museum
is located at Rayado and affords one a look into
the past of this great country.
I
The trail and road west of Rayado, through Zastro
and Olympia, were destroyed by the 1965 flood.
No camping is available in this section except at
Abreu and Toothache Spring.
2. Groups planning t o camp at Toothache Spring
should take the trail north at this point. Groups
going on to New Abreu should continue on the
service road.
3. New Abreu Camp is situated at the bottom of
Rayado Canyon and is an excellent starting or
ending point for expeditions traveling Philmont's
southern section.
4. The top of Urraca Mesa affords some spectacular
scenery. Here, large Ponderosa pine trees grow
on a mile.long, entirely flat tableland region. From
the north rim, you view the entire south-central
area of the ranch, including the Tooth of Time,
Camping Headquarters, and the plains reaching
past Cimarron.
5. Toothache Spring Trail Camp is a park capable
of camping thirty people at a time. The water, however, has a mineral taste and runs very slow. From
this campsite, a side hike to the top of Urraca
(Magpie) Mesa is a must.
6. The trail is increasingly difficult as you descend
(or ascend) the side of Urraca Mesa. Take your
bearings and also take time to enjoy the magnificent
view of Philmont's extreme southeastern section.
7. At this junction, groups going t o New Abreu should
continue south. Use your Philmont topographical
map.
Rayado to
Abreu
-
6 miles 2.5 hours
Either way
Rayado to Abreu
via Toothache Spring
Either way
I
I
,
I
NEW ABREU TO CRATER
1. New Abreu Camp, situated in the bottom of Rayado
Canyon, is an excellent starting and ending point
for expeditions hiking through Philmont's southern
section. The Rayado has always been a favorite
for anglers.
2. Here, at the ruins of the old staff cabin, the trail
forks. The right hand trail heads for Stone Wall
Pass and Toothache Spring. Keep to your left
(west). From here, you are going straight up the
side of Fowler Mesa.
3. You're in for some pretty hard hiking here. The
switch-backs have been cut into the side of the
mesa to make the going a little easier. Please do
not cut switch-backs. Doing so causes heavy
erosion.
4. Another fork i n the trail. Expeditions hiking to
Aguila, Bear Caves, and Crater must continue
straight ahead on the more heavily traveled trail.
5. At this point, the trail goes between twin rocks.
Indian writings can be seen on the rock t o the west
of the trail.
6. Aguila (Eagle) Camp, a scenic but small mountain
park, is an excellent trail camp for about twenty
people. Although the spring water is good when
purified, its rate of flow is very slow. In dry years,
you may have to move on to Bear Caves or Crater
for water.
7 . Here the trail from Stone Wall Pass joins the route
to Crater. Keep to your left (west). From here to
Crater you will have a spectacular view of the
Tooth of Time Ridge.
8. Bear Caves features a large park suitable for trail
camping and a good spring. Old cook shelters can
be found in this area.
9. Crater Lake offers great picture-taking opportunities
of the Tooth of Time in the background.
New Abreu to
Crater
6 miles
- 4.5 hours
Crater to
New Abreu
6 miles
- 3 hours
NEW ABREU TO LOWER BONITO
VIA FOWLER MESA
1. New Abreu Camp, situated at the bottom of the
Rayado Canyon, is an excellent starting or ending
point for expeditions hiking through Philmont's
southern section. The Rayado has always been a
favorite for anglers.
2. Here, at the ruins of the old staff cabin, the trail
forks. The right hand trail heads for Stone Wall
Pass and Toothache Springs. Keep to your left
(west). From here, you are going straight up the
side of Fowler Mesa.
3. You are in for some pretty hard hiking here. The
switch-backs have been cut into the side of the mesa
to make the going a little easier. Please do not
cut switch-backs. Doing so causes heavy erosion.
4. Another fork in the trail. Expeditions hiking to
Aguila, Bear Caves and Crater must continue
straight ahead on the more heavily traveled trail.
Those going t o Fowler Mesa and Lower Bonito Trail
Camp must make a sharp left (west).
5. This trail offers a moderately steep climb until it
joins a jeep trail on the side of Fowler Mesa. From
here the walking is easy.
6. Used little in recent years, the top of Fowler Mesa
is a very scenic spot for a trail camp. A small lake
(although it has some scum on top) can be used
for a water supply if purified carefully.
7 . On the top of the pass you will hit the access road
into Beaubien. One hundred yards down the road
to your left begins the trail t o the Bonito Valley.
8. At the floor of the valley, turn left (south) one-half
mile to Lower Bonito Trail Camp. This long park
has room enough for camping large expeditions
comfortably. Water is drawn from a spring in the
Lower Bonito area and from the creek when it is
running.
7 miles - 4 hours
Either
way
NEW ABREU TO STOCKADE VIA
STONE WALL PASS
At the top of this hill above Abreu is the old staff
cabin. Please do not camp here or use the water
supply. Use campsites designated by the Abreu
staff.
At this point the trail from Abreu joins a jeep road
winding to the top of Stone Wall Pass. As you can
tell by the closeness of the contours on your Philmont topographical map, your climb will be fairly
steep. Watch out for rattlesnakes.
The top of the pass is a scenic mountain park. To
your left you can see the old stone wall from which
the pass got its name. It served as a boundaly line
between the Rayado and Urraca ranches in the
1860's.
Groups ascending Stone Wall Pass from this side
may have trouble finding the correct trail. Use your
map and compass if the several logging and jeep
road intersections confuse you.
A long string of parks combined with a strongly
flowing spring make the Lovers Leap area terrific
for camping. The Leap itself rises 260 feet above
the road and provides some great postcard shots.
The Leap is for viewing not for jumping!
-
Stockade Camp, nestled between the mountains and
the plains, affords the best access to the Tooth
of Time. The preferable route lies through the
gully to the right of the Tooth. Your climb will be
extremely steep and may be hazardous during or
just after a rain. Do not attempt to take your packs
with you. The Tooth is best taken as a side hike
from Stockade.
From the top of this huge monolith of dacite
porphyry you can see most of the ranch on a clear
day. Take your cameras. Plan on a full half day
for your side hike to the Tooth. It is worth it!
Abreu to Stockade 6 miles - 3 hours
via Stone Wall Pass Either way
NEW ABREU TO BEAUBIEN VIA
LOWER BONITO CANYON
1. The old jeep road from New Abreu t o Old Abreu
Lodge was destroyed by the 1965 flood. A fairly
good trail now leads into the area.
2. The lodge was built by the Abreu family about fifty
years ago as a fishing cabin on the Rayado. Please
do not camp here. The trail to Lower Bonito Trail
Camp and Beaubien begins behind the cabin.
3. The 1965 flood ravaged this entire area. You must
consider this canyon hazardous. Do not turn left
at this junction to go up the Rayado Creek. Rather
go straight up the Bonito Creek.
4. This is a steep and rough trail. Groups should be
advised that the Fowler Mesa trail from Abreu offers
the best access into the Lower Bonito area.
5. As Bonito Canyon opens into a large park, trail
campsites are numerous. Water is drawn from a
spring, or from the creek when it is running.
6. Bonito Camp is a good site for trail camping. Here,
you can see Philmont cattle roaming through the
meadow. Please stay away from the cabin as it is
used by the Cattle Department during round-up
time.
7 . Expeditions which have camped the night at Lower
Bonito may wish to take a side hike to Trail Peak
on their way to Beaubien. Drop your packs just
off the road, and then follow the trail up the peak.
This route is not well marked; as a result, you will
have to rely on your map and compass. Groups
traveling from Abreu to Beaubien in one day will
not have enough time to climb Trail Peak.
8. On the left hand peak can be found the wreckage
of a B-24 Liberator bomber, which crashed here in
1942 killing all aboard. Leaders, please see that
these remains are not molested.
9.
to
-8 h u t s
lreu t c
4.6 miles
wer Bt
Elther way
wer Bonito
Beaubien
4.5
miles - 2 hours
Either way
Beaubien Camp occupies a magnificent mountain
park high in Philmont's back country.
S-6
CRATER LAKE TO STOCKADE OR MINERS. PARK
1. Expeditions routed from Crater Lake t o Stockade
should hike straight down the service road.
2. The Lovers Leap area, high-lighted by good spring
water and the massive rock rising above the camping spots, would make an excellent lunch stop or
campsite. If you look hard enough, you can see
Elephant Rock on the east side of Lovers Leap.
3. Stockade offers the best access to the Tooth of
Time. Plan on one-half day for a side hike t o the
top. A hike to the Philmont Reservoir would be
worthwhile. This is a water supply, so no swimming,
please.
The flood of midJune, 1965, dumped thousands
of tons of silt and debris into the reservoir which
had to be removed in order to insure an adequate
water supply to the ranch. It took from September
21 t o mid-April for this reclamation project.
A. From the Crater cabin, groups should go up and
around the service road until hitting the trail t o
Miners Park.
Crater Lake t o
Stockade
6 miles - 2.5 hours
Stockade t o
Crater Lake
6 miles - 3.5 hours
- ,A
Crater Lake to
Miners Park
Either way
B. Here, a fairly good trail links the Crater road and
the old logging road outside of Miners Park. Turn
right (east) on the logging road until you arrive at
the Miners Park road, and then turn left (north).
C. Miners Park once served as a rest spot for miners
on their way to the diggings. A large park surrounded by Ponderosa pine, the camp affords a
natural site for the study of wildlife and forestry.
Native habitants include the tassel-eared squirrel
and its slightly larger cousin - t h e bear.
CRATER LAKE TO BEAUBIEN
Waite Phillips used Crater Lake Camp as a pack
station on the way to Fish Camp. The Crater cabin
in the foreground and the Tooth of Time in the
background make a great picture. From Crater you
can follow the creek bed until it joins the service
road just below Fowler Pass; or you can hike on
the road all the way t o the pass.
Jacob Fowler, a Santa Fe trapper and trader, passed
through here in the 1820's. Please leave gates as
you find them - either opened or closed. The trail
t o Bonito Valley begins 500 yards down the road
from the gate.
One-half mile down Bonito Canyon from this spot
is Lower Bonito Trail Camp. Across the creek bed
begins the trail over Webster Pass. Going to Beaubien, you will walk up Bonito Valley.
The Philmont Cattle Department uses Bonito Cow
Camp. Please do not use the cabin or its water
supply. A sawmill once stood in this area.
If you have time, you might drop your packs and
take a hike up Trail Peak. The foot path, which
may be hard t o find, begins at the head of this
small side canyon.
I n 1942 a 8-24 bomber crashed into the peak, killing all aboard. Please do not disturb the wreckage
or the memorial erected t o the dead aviators.
If you plan on climbing Trail Peak on your way t o
or from Crater, be sure to leave early enough in
order t o have time for the trip.
7. Beaubien is a high mountain park ringed by aspen.
-
5 miles 3.5hours
Either way
S-8
BEAUBIEN TO PORCUPINE
Beaubien is a "hub" for the southern sector with
trails leading off in several directions into Philmont's southwestern section, an area dotted with
beautiful trail camps and trout streams.
At the head of the Beaubien park, you will find the
Porcupine road. If the trail down Apache Creek is
passable, you can cut off some time by walking
down the canyon. Otherwise, you will have to follow
the road all the way into Porcupine. Check with the
staff at Beaubien.
At Porcupine you will want t o try fishing in the
Rayado. Expeditions have been able to skip trail
food for a meal because of a successful afternoon's
work with a fishing line. You can buy fishing licenses
at Porcupine.
One-half mile up Porcupine Creek is Brownsea
Camp, a good place for trail camping.
Tucked up along Crooked Creek is a pretty park
which is excellent for trail camping.
The trail out of Porcupine t o Buck Creek Camp
is very steep, but your efforts will be rewarded by
a scenic campsite and the fishing you can do in
Buck Creek.
If you have an extra day in this portion of the
ranch, you may wish to side hike from Porcupine
through Crooked Creek, and then around Buck
Creek into Buck Creek Camp and back into Porcupine. Please stay on Philmont property, as there
are many logging roads which could confuse you
if you wandered into Wild Horse Park.
Beaubien to
Porcupine
3.2 miles - 2 hours
Porcupine to
Beaubien
3.2 miles - 3 hours
S-9
BEAUBIEN OR PORCUPINE TO FISH CAMP
From Beaubien, "the hub of the south," you may
visit Fish Camp, Waite Phillips' Rayado Creek haven.
The trail which led down Apache Creek may be
still passable; or, groups can hike down the road,
which is rough in spots.
This junction, where the trails from Porcupine and
Rayado meet, is called Porky-Ado. Note in this area
the tremendous change rushing water can bring
upon a landscape. This rubble-strewn field was once
a wildflower-laden park.
A mile from this point is Buck Creek Camp. The
fishing is usually good up the creek. You might
want to take time to wet your line.
Visit the fishing lodge at Fish Camp. It was started
by George Webster and finished by Waite Phillips,
who also built the other buildings. That huge creek
bed below the junction of the Rayado and Agua
Fria creeks was once covered with grass and wildflowers. In one night a flood replaced gentle beauty
with ruggedly primitive grandeur.
A trail leads to La Grulla Park from this point. This
was where Waite Phillips slid down the building
materials for his lodges at Fish Camp.
Agua Fria Trail Camp offers a good campsite in
the Fish Camp area. When exploring this territory,
watch your footing, especially around stream beds
and cliffs. The land has not yet settled from the
flood of mid-June, 1965.
Beaubien to
Fish Camp
6 miles - 3 hours
Fish Camp to
Beaubien
6 miles - 3.5 hours
Either way
S - 10
PORCUPINE TO CLEAR CREEK TO CROOKED CREEK
THROUGH WILD HORSE CAMP
1. The upper Rayado Creek is very picturesque country. The hike from Porcupine to Clear Creek Camp
brings you through country covered with fir and
spruce. The fishing is good all the way up the creek.
2. To your left (west) is the trail to Crooked Creek, a
good spot for trail camping.
3. Several miles up Comanche Creek from here is
Red Hills Camp.
4. All up and down the Rayado in this area are good
places for trail camps.
5. Clear Creek Camp sits near the head of the Rayado
Creek. Facilities include a cabin and a good water
supply. From here you have a rough but short hike
t o the top of Mount Phillips - but it's worth it.
6. Clear Creek Camp to Crooked Creek through Wild
Horse Camp -follows a well-used service road for
one-half mile and then takes an older logging road
which cuts off to the right. Three miles further, a
trail leads from the logging road into Wild Horse
Camp. Follow the blaze marks on the trees all the
way.
7 . Wild Horse Camp has been used little since it was
opened in 1965. In untouched high mountain
scenery, it has a good spring where the water table
breaks at the head of the park.
8. When your trail crosses the jeep trail, you may
become confused as to which route you should follow. Walk down the creek until you hit the trail,
which travels along the creek all the way into
Crooked Creek Trail Camp.
9. Crooked Creek is another excellent place for trail
camping. This route has taken you through some
of the most untouched parts of Philmont.
Porcupine to
Clear Creek
6 miles
-3.5 hours
Clear Creek to
Porcupine
6 miles
- 2.5 hours
Clear Creek to
Wild Horse Camp
3.5 miles 2 hours
Either way
-
Wild Horse Camp to 3 miles
Crooked Creek
Crooked Creek to
Wild Horse Camp
- 2.5 hours
3 miles - 3.5 hours
S - 11
<
PORCUPINE TO APACHE SPRINGS VIA BUCK CREEK
and
CROOKED CREEK TO APACHE SPRINGS VIA
FENCE LINE
Porcupine Camp serves as the gateway to Philmont's primitive southwestern section. From here
through Apache Springs are three streams which
provide good trout fishing. From Porcupine the
best route to Apache Springs is over the steep
hill and down into Buck Creek Camp. (Check with
the staff at Porcupine.)
Buck Creek Camp consists of a picturesque park
cut by a sparkling stream. Be sure to purify the
water as Upper Buck Creek runs through a large
cattle area.
Here the trail joins a well traveled jeep road. Since
this part of the ranch was once logged, many roads
lace through the area. Please stay on the main
route. If you stray off into Bear Canyon, you may
face large areas of downed timber obliterating what
was once a trail.
At this point a logging road which leads into Apache
Springs joins the jeep trail. You would be wise to
continue on the jeep trail until you reach Apache
Springs.
5. Apache Springs lies in a spacious and beautiful
aspen-bordered park. Below the camp winds the
Agua Fria, long a favorite for trout fishermen. Far
back in Philmont's high country, Apache is a good
place to lay over for an extra day.
A. Winding through a park and feeding into the Rayado
Creek lies Crooked Creek, which offers an excellent
water supply and plenty of room for camping. A
trail lying to the west of the Crooked Creek cabin
leads towards Buck Creek and Apache Springs.
B. Expeditions hiking from Crooked Creek to Apache
have a choice of routes. The more gradual but
longer trail leads to Buck Creek and then to Apache
via the jeep trail. The shorter, but much steeper,
route follows the fence line over the top of a yet
unnamed mountain. Be sure to keep the fence line
on your right (west).
f
Porcupine to
Apache Sprrngs
6 miles - 4 hours
Elfher way
Crooked Creek to
Apache Springs
4 miles - 4 hours
Elther way
C. If you drop your packs at the fence and walk ten
yards into Garcia Park, you can see the whole
tundra-like park, including Garcia Cow Camp and
the old Cartwright Mill Site. Since this is not Philmont property, be sure to use your best Scout
etiquette.
APACHE SPRINGS TO LOWER BONITO
1. The route through the Apache Springs and Lo!
Cabin area follows one of Waite Phillips' favorite
horseback riding trails.
2. Here the trail over to Lost Cabin passes by two
wrecked cabins built by some of the first Scouts
on Philmont. Lost Cabin, one-half mile off the main
trail, would make an excellent trail camp.
3. As you come down into the Agua Fria, be careful
of loose boulders and log jams piled high by torrential waters.
4. Agua Fria Trail Camp has in its area one of the
few trail campsites available on the way to Fish
Camp. This entire valley, once beautiful park land,
was reduced t o a rubble-strewn stream bed by the
1965 flood.
5. From here, a trail goes up to La Grulla park and on
to Rimrock Lake. This is where Waite Phillips
brought down the materials used in the construction of Fish Camp.
6. The main lodge at Fish Camp was begun by George
Webster and completed by Waite Phillips who built
the remainder of the Rayado Canyon complex. Note
where the servants' lodge, once standing between
the other lodges on the south side of the Agua
Fria River, was completely demolished in the disastrous flood of 1965.
7. Webster Pass once served as the main pack train
route into the Rayado Valley. From here, you have
a spectacular view of the whole canyon. The pass
from the Rayado side is extremely steep, as you can
see from the topographical map.
8. Lower Bonito offers one of the best trail campsites
between Apache Springs and Crater Lake Camp.
Apache Springs
to Lower Bonito
6 miles - 5 hours
Either way
S - 13
APACHE SPRINGS TO RIMROCK LAKEQ
As you enter Garcia Park, your eye picks out the
old Cartwright Mill Site, Garcia Cow Camp, Apache
Peak, and the high, majestic Taos Range of mountains to the northwest. In the early parts of the
summer much snow remains on these peaks, and
many snow banks can be found in Garcia Park
itself. Be careful of the cattle in this area. They
are not as docile as Philmont cattle.
Walk across the park behind Apache Peak. Here you
pass next to the very southwestern corner of Philmont's property as the old road joins the power
line which you will now follow.
At this point the Ojo de Maiz Creek flows down to
the Agua Fria. Since the water at Rimrock Lake
tends to become stagnant in the middle of the
summer, you should fill your canteens with fresh
water here. Be sure t o purify with iodine tablets.
The two cabins here are a part of the La Grulla
Cow Camp which belongs to McDaniel and Sons.
Incorporated. Please do not loiter in this area but
do enjoy the marvelous view of the meadow which
was once La Grulla Lake. You should leave the
power line here and follow the road until you reach
Rimrock Lake.
The water of Rimrock Lake will be good for cooking
and drinking i f it is strained and purified. At the
edge of the lake, the rimrock affords a breathtaking view of Crater and Rayado Peaks, the Tooth
of Time, and the Rayado Canyon down to Abreu
and off into the plains of eastern New Mexico.
Apache Springs to
Rimrock Lake
7 miles
- 3.5
hours
*Note: This trail is outside of Philmont property. Ouf g 0 6 r
neighbors to the south and west have given Philmont campers
the privilege of hiking through their property. Please do not
abuse this privilege.
S - 14
RIMROCK LAKE TO ABREU"
1. Rimrock Lake, situated above a precipitous cliff
which falls headlong into the Rayado Canyon, offers
good trail camping if the water is carefully strained
and purified. From the lake you may follow either
the road or the power line on your way to Abreu.
The road is longer but easier. You may follow the
power line as the brush underneath it has been
cleared.
2. No trail exists down the rimrock. This cliff can be
extremely hazardous. Much of your hiking from here
will be right through rather thick scrub oak. You
may elect to follow the power line down, or continue
on the road until you reach a lower elevation from
which you can descend to Abreu more safely.
3. The best place to cross the rimrock is around this
area. All along here you will have to "bush-whack"
until you hit some open places outside of Abreu.
Be sure to use your map and compass if you become confused.
4. Do not plan on covering more territory after you
reach Abreu from Rimrock Lake. This hike can be
very tiring, and you will need some time for rest.
No expeditions should plan on hiking up the Rimrock
from Abreu to Rimrock Lake.
8.5 miles - 5 hours
'Note: This trail is outside of Philmont proper&. Our good
neighbors to the south and west have given Philrnont campers
the privilege of hiking through their property. Please do not
abuse this privilege.
PRE-PLANNED
PHllMONT TRIP PLAN
ummw
d20 n
*
NUMBER
COUNCIL NAM
EXPLORER
- R
CITY and
-
LEADER(S) NAMF
N u W a IN G
R
o
u
p
L
o
r
t
~
m
-
T
o
T
A
L
WOTE In order m avoid a n r ~ of
~ traL
.
and camps, and lo fake advantage of rwv dbcowiw at Phllmont
marasmy for your trip plannar to make borne changes on your prepared trip plan.
R
m y b
PRE-PLANNED
PHllMONT TRIP PLAN
COUNCIL NAM
LEADER@) NAM
NUMeER IN O
R
O
U
P
~
S
~
I
E
&
~
A
NOTE In otder to avold ara-tme ai tnlk d a m p . and b b k e advantage of new dlreovarim It Phllmont, It may b.
necessary fw your Wp planner to make.rome changes on your prepared Wp plan.
L
PRE-PLANNED
PHllMONT TRIP PLAN
E ~ P E ~ ~NUMBER
O W
7/d-&'
CMJNCIL NAM
NUMBER IN Q
NOTE: In d a r to avdd owruse of bulls and a m = and to take advantage of new discoveria at R
nscesosy for your trip planner to make some c h a m on your prepsred trip plan.
l
l It~
m y be
PRE-PLANNED
PHllMONT TRIP PLAN
3I
7
EWEDlllON NUMBER
COUNCIL NAM
MPLORUI
- TSOP
CITY and
LEADER@) NAM
7
NOTE In order to avoid owr-use of trails and camp, and b take advantage ot nsw ~IDYJVWIW
at Philmont it may ba
necessary for your trip planner to make wme &awes on your prepared trip plan.
PRE-PLANNED
PHILMONT TRIP PLAN
EXPEDITION NUMBER
EXPLORER POST
7
72/- A
'
5~4
.7
COUNCIL NAMF
CITY and STATF
LEADER(S) NAM
NUMBER IN GROUP:
dProgram Feature
NOTE: In order to avoid over-use of trails and camps, and to take advantage of new discoveries at Philmont, it may be
necessary for your trip planner to make some changes on your prepared trip plan.
PRE-PLANNED
PHILMONT TRIP PLAN
ExPEDITIoN NuMBE
Baa-&
EXPLORER POST
COUNCIL NAMF
CITY and STATF
LEADER(S) NAMF
NUMBER IN GROUP:
8%
EXPLORERS
S C O U T S ~ L E A D E R S
TOTAL
Program Feature
NOTE: In order t o %id over-use of trails and camps, and to take advantage of new discoveries a t Philmont, it may be
necessary for your trip planner t o make some changes on your prepared trip plan.
PRE-PLANNED
PHILMONT TRIP PLAN
EXPEDITION NUMBER
COUNCIL NAMF
3#5
EXPLORER POST
LEADER(S) NAMF
7
-
CITY and STATF
_-
L
Program Feature
NOTE: In order to avoid over-use of trails and camps, and to take advantage of new discoveries at Philmont, it may be
PRE-PLANNED
PHILMONT TRIP PLAN
7
7
EXPEDITION NUMBER
COUNCIL NAME
EXPLORER POST
CITY and STATF
LEADER(S) NAME
NUMBER IN GROUP:
Day
of
Trip
1.
Day
of
Week
Day
of
Month
EXPLORERS
SCOUTS
LEADERS
Program Feature
Camp
Reception Center
"New Mexico" Campfire
Starting Camp
2.
TOTAL
Remarks
Processing
Ranger
Training
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Reception Center
Awards Campfire
13.
-
NOTE: In order t o avoid over-use of trails and camps, and to take advantage of new discoveries at Philmont, it may be
PRE-PLANNED
PHILMONT TRIP PLAN
7
7
EXPEDITION NUMBER
COUNCIL NAME
EXPLORER POST
CITY and STATF
LEADER(S) NAME
NUMBER IN GROUP:
Day
of
Trip
1.
Day
of
Week
Day
of
Month
EXPLORERS
SCOUTS
LEADERS
Program Feature
Camp
Reception Center
Starting Camp
2.
TOTAL
Remarks
Processing
Ranger
Training
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Reception Center
Awards Campfire
13.
-
PRE-PLANNED
PHILMONT TRIP PLAN
7
7
EXPEDITION NUMBER
COUNCIL NAME
EXPLORER POST
CITY and STATF
LEADER(S) NAME
NUMBER IN GROUP:
Day
of
Trip
1.
Day
of
Week
Day
of
Month
EXPLORERS
SCOUTS
LEADERS
Program Feature
Camp
Reception Center
Starting Camp
2.
TOTAL
Remarks
Processing
Ranger
Training
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Reception Center
Awards Campfire
13.
-

Expedition \Planning j Philmont Scout Ranch Boy Scouts of America

Transcription

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