[Philmont]: autumn adventure

Here comes some more thoughts on planning an autumn adventure expedition when you have the ranch to yourself and the freedom to construct a do it yourself itinerary..

In 1999, I had just signed up as an ASM and decided to go to NM for my summer vacation. After touring many National Monuments and the Carson National Forest, I set up my tent in the Forest and wound up driving to the Ranch on a few of my vacation days. After visiting TOT Traders, the Villa , Seton Museum and Rayado, I confess that I was tempted to take a stroll on the Ranch property (or more than one).

Do NOT do this at the present time. Philmont Security now has a boot with which to disable any vehicle not showing a Philmont parking permit. It was a foolish thing to do at the time as well.In any event, I took a stroll from HQ to Tooth Ridge Camp (hailstorm precluded another Tooth ascent), another from Lover's Leap Turnaround (Stockade photos a must), to the Leap itself, another from Abreu to the Crags turnoff and back, one from Zastro turnaround to Stonewall Pass, to Toothache Spring and back to the car, and one from Six Mile Gate to Chandler Canyon camp and back (chased off by another killer hailstorm).

Although the beauty of the Ranch was there to enjoy, I felt vaguely unfulfilled. I felt I was only "nibbling" around the edges of the backcountry and longed to plunge right in. No way could I justify that cause of action as a short stroll from my car.

Since I've had problems transmitting long posts, I'll send this one now and then continue on a separate post.

Bill Sheehan

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Received on Wed Jan 18 01:37:29 2006