RE: [Philmont]: Tooth Ridge Trail

Having worked at Philmont around the time the new trail opened (I believe it
opened in 1997 - I remember the OA trail crew being there working on it), I
have heard many not-so-kind comments about the trail. Honestly, I
personally think some of the switchbacks are overkill. But the fact is that
that trail comes down nearly 2,000 feet between the base of the Tooth and
Base Camp - the old trail was steep and very rocky in parts, which resulted
in a lot of ankle injuries. I'm sure part of the intent of the new trail
was to eliminate those injuries, and I bet it's working. I've hiked it
numerous times, and it seems to be getting a little better each time. This
past summer, our crew made it down from the base of the Tooth in just under
two hours (we left from Ponderosa Park and were in before lunch time -
amazing speed for a crew). The new trail makes it tough to get back to base
camp at a reasonable hour if you're hiking in from Clarks Fork or Miners
Park - something to consider when you're choosing your itinerary. The last
thing you want to do is be hiking back into Base Camp at 4:30pm when you
have a 6am departure on the following day.
On the bright side, it is a nice trail, (as someone else pointed out) the
flora is pretty spectacular, and it's the last day on the trail, so enjoy
it...

As for the Pasture and Stockade trails, I don't think either is officially
closed as far use by crews goes. I believe that the Pasture Trail used to
be blocked off, but I seem to remember being open once again this past
summer (though we didn't take it). And while I've never come down the
Stockade Trail, I've gone up it and the words I have to describe that hike
would be inappropriate to put in this email. I would definitely not go down
it and risk injury on the very last day.

Brian Gannon

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Received on Wed Dec 7 20:43:46 2005