Re: [Philmont]: Trek 21 report 616-A1

Great job, Mike. Really enjoyed the way you described every detail. I've been to and through all the places you wrote about; but the manner you told it made the memories all fresh and new. I was virtual-hiking with you every step of the way. I even got out of breath as you told of climbing Baldy and could swear I heard the clatter of rocks again as you said you slid down!

Jerry Lewis
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Mike Floyd
  To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
  Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 8:36 PM
  Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Trek 21 report 616-A1

  Trek 21 Report 616-A1

  This year our crew consisted of five youth ( 1 youth-fifth trek, 3 youths- second trek, and one youth on their first trek, 1 adult-fourth trek, and three adults- first trek) Interesting note that these three adults were mothers who were accompanying their sons on their second trek and these same Scouts had their fathers with them on their first trek. This might be a first for three scouts to backpack at Philmont both with their fathers and mothers on different years.

  To prepare for our trek the crew hiked over 80 miles on the Appalachian trail in Georgia over five different weekends. This crew was an experienced backpacking crew.

  Day 1 - Sioux trail camp

  Crew hiked from the Ponil turnaround to Ponil via the trail. Note the trail is confusing since it splits with one trail going down to the Ponil burro pens and the other trail must be accessed by opening the fence to stay on the trail to Ponil. Unfortunately, we went down to the Ponil burro pens where our penalty to cross thru the burro pens was for each crew member to pick up 10 rocks out of the Horse pens. Arrived at Ponil. Enjoyed roping, the hammock at the staff cabin, and the cantina and the displays at the trading post. Ate lunch here before hiking on down to Sioux trail camp. Returned to Ponil that night where we were treated to a great show by the staff at the cantina. Music and singing was great. The camp staff director entertained us with several stories and a few songs also. Our crew decided not to choose the burro option on this trek. Based on our observations later on the trail we were glad of this decision. Our main concern was the time spent on this option. There is a great rock in the field shaped like a chair that gives a great place to view the stars at night at this camp.

  Day 2- Flume Canyon
  Hiking out the next morning our sister crew from our troop was fortunate to be invited to partake of leftover pancakes from the morning pancake breakfast for the crews camped at Ponil. Nice hike to Flume Canyon. Most of these campsites have rock chairs in each campsite. A nice touch ! However, sitting in them makes you wonder where your TV remote control is at. :-)
  A small stream runs thru the camp. Our sister crew choose to go on over to Pueblano to do their conservation project and to do a side hike to Wilson Mesa ( we heard they had a great mountain meadow view of Mt Baldy). Unfortunately we chose to wait to do the side hike the next day, but due to bad weather the next day we did not do the side hike. :-(
  Completed our Ranger training here at this camp and did our Wilderness pledge on a rock outcropping overlooking our camp. Presented our ranger with a Troop 149 Chef's hat here as appreciation for his work. Dallas was an Air Force Academy student. He was very impressive to our scouts and served as a great role model.

  Day 3- Head of Dean
  Left Flume Canyon trail camp and hiked to Pueblano to do spar pole climbing. The day was overcast with low clouds. Crew decided not to hike to Wilson Mesa since we would not have a view of Mt Baldy. Hiked over to Head of Dean. Great trail and a great view of the mountains when we arrived at camp. Activities at camp included basketball, volleyball and stump ball. Advisors enjoyed their first advisors coffee that night. The staff here has a baby cat that was enjoyed by our crew. Interesting note by this camp two of our female advisors had decided their hair was too long and cut their hair. Our sister crew really got into this when they thought that one of our female advisors was going to shave her head. They were disappointed when she only had it cut real short.

  Day 4 & 5 - Ute Meadows- two day layover

  Hiking out of Head of Dean after a mile we got our first glimpse of Mt Baldy. Some great views. A side trail is marked at an "Interpretive trail". I would recommend hiking the short distance down to this meadow and enjoying the great view of Mt Baldy. Hiked thru Maxwell trail camp. And my son who did OA Trail crew in 2001 shared that his OA Trail crew used this camp when they started before working on the BlackHawk trail to Mt Baldy ( not opened yet). We then hiked into the meadow at Miranda. Great view and a lot of flowers. Had lunch here and did black powder shooting and tomahawk throwing here. Toured the cabin. The meadow with the teepee reminds me of Apache Springs camp. Short hike over to Ute Meadows trail camp. Here we really lucked out. As we were looking for a camp we came across the beaver dam bridge at the broken dam pond ( apparently the dam has been broken for years since there are trees in the old pond bed. Across the old pond bed we saw an area that we were not sure if it was a campsite. When we crossed over to this area we found a fire pit and sump. We then saw the camp sign ( I believe is was #5) I then turned around and there in front of my face was a tremendous view of Mt Baldy. The only campsite in this camp with a view of Mt Baldy. What a treat for two mornings when I got out of my tent there was Baldy right in my face. A real treat! There is only two bear cables in this camp and both were overloaded each night. Also there is only one red roof inn that is located a good distance away on the dirt road and on the other end of camp a pilot/bombardier. Campsites are in poor condition in this camp. This camp needs more bear cables and toilets. I am assuming that the main problem is that there are crews camping at this camp who are supposed to be at other camps but are trying to get closer to Baldy for their climb. The adults and crew leader did a side hike to Baldy camp for a commissary pickup. Unfortunately, the trail here again splits with one trail going across the stream and the other trail going straight. We took the straight trail here that took us to a short direct up climb that took us to the dirt road that led us to Baldy Camp. I would recommend the other trail to Baldy Camp.The ladies also took their first shower here at this camp. Unfortunately there is only one shower house for adults and it is not coed. So all the males had to wait for our group to finish their showers. There was hot water for the adults, but only cold water was available for the youth. The trading post here was well stocked. Hiked back to Ute Meadows on the trail. A nice hike.

  Next morning we were up at 5 am and left camp at 6:30 to hike to Mt Baldy. Left Baldy Camp at 7:45 am on the south side Baldy trail. A good long climb, we had many mosquitoes enjoying us on this section of the trail up to the saddle. We did not bring our bug spray with us. This was a mistake. When we arrived at the saddle at the base of the rock face of Baldy we took a 30 minute break enjoying the meadow and view.

  We then started our hike up the rock face of Baldy. Steep!!! Some of our crew members were having to stop and rest every 30 steps. Our crew arrived at the top after a 3 hrs and 15 minute climb from Baldy camp. Great views, cold & windy on top, there are several small rock walls that we enjoyed lunch behind to block the wind. A great sunny day with a 360 degree view. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!! Did the normal photo shots. Using my Verizon cell phone, I called home to talk to my wife. On the south side of Baldy I only had one bar of strength, but on the northside of the peak I had full strength on my phone. This was a great experience for me on top of Baldy since this was my first time in four treks. Our crew was rerouted in 2002 from Baldy due to the fires.

  We then hiked down the northside. Or should I say slid down the northside. It is three times steeper on this side and all of rocks slide with you. Several crew members fell, only their pride was hurt. There was still pockets of snow and ice in areas on the northside. Crew members enjoyed playing in the snow. It is my understanding that the south side trail is five miles up and the northside trail is two miles down. I extremely feel for any crew who comes up the northside from Copper Park trail camp.
  Once down we hiked thru the canyon to Copper Park trail camp and then down "the wall" to French Henry" camp. What a hike for any crew going up to Copper Park & Baldy from French Henry. I think I would go from Baldy camp to Copper Park and then come back thru Baldy Camp to hike Baldy from the southside.

  Our crew enjoyed Blacksmithing and gold panning, and museum tour. We then hiked back to Baldy camp to get gas for our stoves ( which we forgot the previous day when we did our commissary run). Hiked back to Ute Meadows for dinner and a great sunset over Baldy and bright stars later in the night. Next morning we woke up and Baldy was covered with clouds. This was especially unfortunate, the previous night I met one of the advisors of the crew who arrived that day and he had shared with me that his troop was about six years old and the original scoutmaster who had the vision for the troop to do Philmont and Baldy had died and his son who was on the trek and had some of his ashes and planned to spread them on top of Baldy. I regret this Scout did not have a great sunny day on top of Baldy to honor his father, but I know it was still a special experience for these scouts and adults.

  Day 6- Upper Dean Cow

  Hiked back to Miranda, instead of the Baldy Skyline trail. Dropped off trash and extra food. But we had enjoyed the views coming on this trail so good that we thought we would enjoy hiking in the opposite direction. Excellent hike. Enjoyed lunch at Head of Dean. Then hiked on to Upper Dean Cow. Arrived at this trail camp right before a bad storm. We quickly set up camp at campsite #5 right at the pond. Not a minute to soon before a good rain storm with heavy hail. To my concern right after we set up one of my female advisors pointed to a large print in the mud and ask me what it was. Well, it was a bear print larger than my hand. After the rain storm we moved our camp away from the pond to campsite # 7 which was a good distance away from the pond. There was also mountain lion scat in campsite #5 area. Apparently this was their path to the water. The bear print looked fresh to me. I informed other crews as they arrived and they had also saw prints in a stream along the trail to the camp.

  Day # 7- Upper Bench

  Next morning the trail started out on the dirt road for about a mile up Dean Canyon till we got to the trail right pass the dirt road that splits off to the right to Santa Clause camp. The road was muddy with mud sticking to our boot heels. It was almost like walking on high heels. The crew had to stop several times to knock mud off our boots. Had a great hike thru Bear Canyon ( supposed to have the largest number of mountain lions at Philmont). But we saw no signs or any sightings ( This is the first trek that Crew Leaders and Advisors were warned about mountain lions at basecamp meetings in my four treks- 98,00,02,04). A long descent into Bear Canyon. Hiked under US 64. The pizza place phone number is written on the wall under the road. Apparently, some crews order pizza and they will deliver it to them at this location. ( We did not choose this option- however, it did get the scouts started to discuss how much pizza they were going to eat when they came off the trail). We then started our climb up to Vista Grande camp where we ate lunch and fill our water bottles. There is a water pipe in this camp. You must purify this water. We filled water containers for our dry camp at Upper Bench. Another rain storm came up after we left this trail camp and stopped right before we arrived at Upper Bench. A scenic trail camp that has several marsh lakes. Philmont classifies this as a dry camp, I am assuming that they feel this water is marsh water and requires extensive purification for drinking.

  Day # 8 & 9 - Cimarroncito

  Next morning we left for Ute Gulch Commissary for our last commissary pickup. Nice hike with great views. Hiked to Cimarroncito via the Gouse Canyon trail ( one of my favorites). Camped at campsite # 7 right next to the showers. Staff warned us of bear sightings at this camp. Adults enjoyed their second shower on the trail ( youth chose not to take this option- some of the moms were concerned on this decision since the youth had yet to take a shower on the trail. ) The next morning we hiked to our conservation project on a old closed trail to Cyphers Mine. A great hike up the canyon with a mountain stream. This will be a great hike up or down to Cyphers in the future. Stopped for a Hunting Lodge tour, one of the staff members is from Athens and a recent graduate of the University of Georgia. Her parents and brother was visiting her that day so we enjoyed meeting her and her family. A great tour of the cabin.
  That afternoon we had rain for most of the remaining part of the day. For dinner we enjoyed soup with our dinner. We brought three soup mixes on the trail to supplement our food supply. ( Philmont no longer has soup in the dinner meals) The hot soup was enjoyed by all on this rainy night.

  Day # 10 - Ponderosa Park

  Hiked to Clark's Fork. Saw several deer on the trail. The crew then hiked on to Ponderosa Park to set up camp. After camp was set up we had rain and hail. Around 2 pm it cleared up and the crew hiked back to Clark's Fork to do branding, western lore and the chuck wagon dinner. Dinner was an hour late due the green wood the staff was using to cook dinner. Since it was late, we had beef stew, dutch oven biscuits and canned peaches. The original menu called for peach cobbler. I suggested to the camp cook staff that if they have this problem again they should put the biscuit mix over the peaches and make a cobbler with that instead. The staff was concerned they could not cook both biscuits and peach cobbler. On our hike back to camp that night a crew in front of us scared a bear on the trail who was eating bugs from under a rock. Further down the trail several of our scouts saw a bear on the ridge above the trail near Upper Clark's Fork Camp.

  Day # 11- hike back into basecamp
  It has been a tradition for our troop to hike to Shafer's Peak to enjoy sunrise on our last day. Our two crews on trek 21 left Ponderosa Park at 3:30 am together to hike to the peak. Arriving at 5 am. Fifteen minutes later our other two crews arrived ( trek # 14). It was a great gathering with troop members to share their experiences while we had breakfast. The crews had a church service together as we watched the sunrise.
  What a view and experience. After sunrise all four crews started to hike the Tooth Ridge to the Tooth of Time. Stopping at the great photo area before you get to the Tooth for that special photo of the hiker with the Tooth of Time in the background. The crews then hiked the Tooth. Another great view! Then the crews started their hike to basecamp. I had previous warned the other advisors of what I term "the run away horse concept". I have always found my crews to pick up their hiking speed as they see basecamp and they start to think about lunch in town. And again this time it happened. The moms kept up the pace, but after two falls the scouts did slow their pace.

  All four crews arrived back in basecamp before 11:30 am. After checking in, showering, all four crews met at the Welcome station for the 1:30 bus shuttle into town for pizza, burritos or hamburgers. Most of the crew chose Heck's and enjoyed their 1/2 lb hamburgers and then ice cream at the Art Gallery. Since our crews did not have any equipment replacement problems on the trail. Each crew still had most of their $100 crew money that we had issued to each crew from our Troop Philmont fees that we had collected for the expedition. As a new treat this time we offered the option to the Scouts pizza delivered to the Philmont Welcome Center for our dinner. The quickest decision I have ever seen. That night we enjoyed pizza and soft drinks at the welcome station. After that many of our members chose to attend the religious services that night ( I must admit my thoughts were again on that crew after us at Baldy with the Scoutmaster ashes during the services). We then all then enjoyed the closing campfire!

  What a trek, filled with great memories and experiences! And I finally got to do Baldy!!!!!!!

    Mike Floyd
    Asst Scoutmaster
    Troop 149
    Watkinsville, Ga.

    www.oconeetroop149.org

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Received on Thu Jul 1 00:35:05 2004