Re: [Philmont] - Trail Information

Based on comments I've heard, the Stockade trail is significantly faster
to Basecamp, but is also significantly more rugged and hazardous. One
sprained ankle or twisted knee, and your time "savings" will go quickly
into deficit spending. I have been told at least once or twice through
the years that the trail was closed to Crews, but there is certainly no
consistency on this from year-to-year. Or maybe they just don't bother
talking about it anymore because hardly anyone ever asks anymore....

My death-march up Trail Peak was in the early 70's, from Beaubien, and I
can assure everyone it was straight up the mountain and murderously
steep. If they replaced it with something more reasonable, Praise the Lord!

As a final, philosophical point, though, I will add the difficulties of
Philmont are part of the "magic". A favorite comment of mine is that
Scouting can help a boy determine the true measure of himself - and that
most boys find that they are a lot deeper than they ever realized.
Challenges such as Philmont, and even single days like summitting Baldy,
make Scouts dig deep. Very few find bottom.

Taking 55 to summer camp in 45 minutes, so going dark for the week. See
y'all down the trail....

- Dr. Bob

Troop 764 wrote:
> Dr. Bob wrote:
> "I didn't include the Stockade Trail because I believe we're not allowed
> on it anymore. But yes, that's another tough one."
>
> Because of the the long, never ending trail into Base Camp over Tooth
> Ridge, I heard crews talking about taking the Stockade Trail down to the
> flat 4WD road and hiking in that way, but no one actually did it. There
> is still a Stockade Trail sign on Tooth Ridge and no one in Logistics
> said not to hike it. In 2000 our troop had a crew finish their trek
> (100+ miles), and instead of visiting the Villa or Cimarron, they rode a
> bus out to the Stockade Trail (Lovers Leap Turnaraound) and climbed to
> the Tooth and back. The Stockade Trail is obviously very steep and
> difficult (about a 1,400 foot drop), but I was wondering if it could
> offer any time advantage over the preferred route into camp. Any thoughts?
>
> Also, a couple of writers mentioned the trail from Fowler Pass to Trail
> Peak as the hard trail to the top. I've been up both sides and I have to
> believe it was the old trail on the Beaubien side of the mountain that
> achieved notoriety for its steepness. The old trail went straight up.
> The altitude gained was slightly greater than from Fowler Pass, and it
> was over a shorter distance. The new trail from Beaubien is longer, but
> has a much gentler slope. Without backpacks, it is a pleasant walk.
>
> I also agree with Dr. Bob that the Stairmaster is shortly out of Indian
> Writings on the trail to Hart Peak.
>
> I would also add that hiking up either side of Mt. Phillips is no
> picnic, particularly with all of the extra water you must carry.
>
> There are plenty of challenging climbs at Philmont. The most difficult
> is the one I'm on at the moment.
>
> YiS,
>
> Earl Owens

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Received on Sun Jul 11 06:57:23 2004