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Crew Leader: | Kellen Hamrah |
| Crew Members: | Ryan Clarke, Brenton Dark, Andrew Dunkle and Kyle Keetch | |
| Adult Advisors: | Mike Hyde, Mark Keetch, Don Perkins and Steve Phillips | |
| Ranger: | Brendan Dowling | |
| Itinerary Hiked: | 20 | |
| Camps: | McBride Canyon, Ponil, Rich Cabins, Greenwood Canyon, Copper Park, Head of Dean, Turkey Creek, Hunting Lodge and Tooth Ridge | |
| Total Miles Hiked: | 72 |
Our Trek begins at 6 Mile Gate near Ponil and takes us into the North Country, to the Valle Vidal, back over Baldy into Central Philmont and over the Tooth of Time to Base Camp - A distance of 72 miles.
On Day 1 -After a short 2-1/2 mile hike to McBride Canyon we arrived at 10:45 to set up camp. The rest of the day was spent in Ranger training, mountain climbing, and resting.
On Day 2 -we hike uphill to Ponil where we had a Chuckwagon Dinner and Breakfast. We also enjoyed hot showers and cold root beer. Several boys had their boots branded with the Philmont Brand.
Day 3 -was a scenic hike to Rich Cabins in the Valle
Vidal. On the way we watched a very large black bear as she ate berries along a
creek, swam across a Beaver Pond and climbed on the tope of the Beaver Dam
before walking away. -An Awesome Sight! ! ! !
In the Valle, we practice no trace camping. Rich Cabins is a small working farm with a milk cow, horses, pigs, sheep, and chickens. Here, the boys helped with evening chores after dinner.
Day 4 - our destination is Greenwood Canyon -a beautiful area full of Aspen, Spruce, and Fir trees with a flowing creek. Ryan caught several Rainbow Trout on our rest stops. We had rain showers off and on today. Mr. Keetch repaired Mr. Perkins broken back belt after dinner.
Day 5 - is a steady uphill hike for 5 miles through an area known as "The Wall". We gain 2,000 ft. elevation and lose a large percentage of oxygen. By the end of the day we are at 11,500 ft. Our last 1/2 mile is a treacherous downhill slide in the rain to Copper Park, our layover campsite.
Day 6 - a most exciting day. -We did our side hike up and over Baldy, down to Baldy town to pick up food and fuel, and then around the base of Baldy back to Copper Park. The top of Baldy is a special sight - 360 degree view as far as you can see. Mr. Keetch provided a cell phone for calls home for the crew. Kellen, Brenton, and Andrew carried packs with our rain gear, first aid kits, water and towels and soap (we had showers at Baldy town). After food pick up, these three young men packed 27 bags of food in their packs along with all our gear earning the title of "Iron Horses". It was cold and rainy when we arrived back at Copper Park, so it was a quick supper and early to bed.
Day 7 - our destination is Head of Dean by way of
French Henry. It was a short hike to French Henry , an old mining location.
Here, the crew made a screwdriver in the Blacksmithing area, learned Gold
Panning, and went for a tour deep in an old Mine Shaft.
After arriving at Head of Dean, the boys took part in "The Challenge" - a sort of low ropes course.
At Advisors coffee that evening, we were served fresh rattlesnake meat which was taken two days before in the campsite.
After dinner, Andrew led us in a devotional, we did thorns and roses, and then turned in for the night.
On Day 9 - we arose early and reported to the Head of Dean staff for our Conservation Project - a Timber stand improvement. This meant cutting down trees that were crowded too close together -allowing the healthier trees to grow and also allowing for more effective fire control.
At 1:00 P .M. we headed out for Visto Grande. Along the way we saw several deer, lots of beautiful scenery, and a bad lightning storm requiring us to perform the Lightning Drill - spread out, and sit on your pack with your feet up.
We arrived at Visto Grande at 7 :30 - cold, wet, and
tired, ate our supper by flashlight and after thorns and roses, went to bed.
On Day 9 -we have a 10 mile hike to Hunting Lodge. During our lunch stop at Devils Washbasin, some of the boys started a pine cone fight, forcing the Advisors to defend themselves.
Today , Mr. Hyde took a bad fall on the trail, but after a few minutes was ready to hike on. We made our food pick up at Ute Gulch. We then headed for Cimarroncito Camp for rock climbing. On our way, as we passed through Aspen Springs, we came across Crew D-l.
We found hot showers at Cimarroncito and the Advisors took full advantage. We also met Crews D-2 and D-3 while there.
After a short hike to Hunting Lodge, we set up camp and had dinner. Joining us during our meal, were 3 Bucks quietly grazing nearby. After Advisors coffee, all campers were invited into Hunting Lodge for a history of Philmont, a tour and some really corny bear stories.
On Day 10- we went to Tooth Ridge Camp. We ate lunch at Clark's Fork at the covered Chuck wagon area because of a rain and sleet storm. On the trail today, Mr. Perkins broke his back belt again (which we repaired) and lost a contact lens (which we found). Kyle took a fall on Tooth Ridge - He was shaken up but not injured.
We arrived at Tooth Ridge Camp at 6:30, set up camp,
had dinner, and then because of the rain, all nine of us gathered in our largest
tent for a devotional and thorns and roses.
Day 11- our last day, we backtracked 1/2 mile to meet Crews D-l, D-2, and D-3 for the climb up the Tooth of Time.
All Troop 520 Crews joined together for the 2-1/2 mile hike back to Base Camp. Our crew was low on water, but D-l had picked up water this morning and shared with us.
We arrived at Base Camp at 2:30 and were met by Sean Clark, Laura Clark, Jana Rogers, Denise Hyde, and Mr. Bereit along with soft drinks and Hershey bars.
After a few minutes of visiting, D-4 had to head off for showers and a change of clothing for the trip to the Art Gallery for ice cream. It seems Mr. Phillips lost a bet with his crew and it was payback time.
It was a great trip and many lifetime memories and friendships were made.
