Re: [Philmont]: The Stockade Trail

There are a couple of different trails on the west side of Tooth Ridge. The Pasture Trail is not the same as the old Stockade Trail. I haven't hiked the Pasture Trail, but as someone said, campers have been discouraged from using the Stockade Trail for a reason. Legend has it that that trail was literally blasted out of the rocks in places back in the Phillips days. It is very steep and definitely not well-maintained, except that it's kept clear by the staff traffic up and down it. It is used by search and rescue teams for quick access to the ridge, but it is not a lot of fun with a full pack, especially for most advisors! It also seems that they made it a lot steeper sometime over the past 20 years! :) All of that being said, I went up it a couple of summers ago with a staff friend who had just turned 66...

Doug Marquis
Staff 84-86, 03-05

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Shane Hoffman
  To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
  Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 6:20 PM
  Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Trail down the tooth

  Doug,

  I think you are talking about the Pasture Trail. I posted earlier today about our experience on the Pasture Trail.

  The trail has apparently been cleaned somewhat since your encounter in 2002. We did not experience any overgrowth. There are a few spots in the rocky trail where footing can be quite exciting, but again, nothing harder than going down either Baldy or Phillips.

  If you have someone with a bad ankle, don't take the Pasture Trail. I had sore knees, used my Lekis, and had no complaints about the trip down.

  Once you hit the lower ground (the pasture), you just hit the dirt road that runs along the pasture towards Base Camp. You still end up at the "Congratulations - You Made It" gate.

  One more thing... Don't hurry through that gate. We always discuss the gate before beginning the hike down. The gate holds great significance. It is the place where your journey ends - everything else is just going home. Take time for photos - both group and individual shots. You'll be sorry if you don't. Also, take time for hugs. It is almost certain that the specific group you reach that gate with will never be together again - either others will be there or someone will be missing.

  I know that sounds corny, but you worked too long and too hard to get to Philmont and to get through Philmont. Enjoy that last moment in the backcountry before returning to civilization, showers, and ice cream.

  Shane Hoffman
  Advisor Crew 445 - www.crew445.org - SHoffman@crew445.org
  ASM Troop 445 - www.troop445.org - SHoffman@troop445.org
  "We should all realize that every right implies a responsibility, every opportunity an obligation, every position a duty, and that the most effective sermon is expressed in deeds instead of words." ~ Waite Phillips
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Doug Kemp
    To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
    Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 10:39 AM
    Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Trail down the tooth

>That trail down from the tooth is long, those switchbacks go forwever. I would be tempted to take one of the trails down the west side next time and walk around. Anybody done that? On the map, it doesn't look too bad

    If by west you're talking about the trail that leads off to the right just below tooth ridge camp (near Stockade) we had to hike up that trail to tooth ridge camp after the fire re-route in 2002. It's steep, rocky and overgrown with shrubs that catch on your clothing and pack and leave you pretty well scratched up. Then you would have to either catch one of the buses (probably not allowed) or hike back around the tooth through the field that some have reported as well occupied by rattlesnakes or hike to the highway and take the long way back. And you don't come back through the "you've made it" entrance.

    I've had the "pleasure" of coming down the long tooth ridge trail three times, so I understand the allure, but I can't recommend the side trail.

    YiS
    Doug
    2000, 2002, 2004

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Received on Tue Dec 6 19:47:54 2005