Based on advice I got on this forum in '02, we decided to go over Black Mountain. It was a highlight for the boys, for the pride of conquering such a mean trail with full packs. I personally wouldn't do it again: too many trees for any kind of view. A couple of caveats:
-Start early: this is a long hike. We came in so late that we couldn't do program until the next morning, which actually wasn't too bad unless you have a horse ride scheduled for Beaubien. Crazy Carl was quite accomodating, though, and let us blast a round apiece at 08:30.
- Anticipate many false peaks. I recall about four. You go up, then down, then up, etc., which was quite disheartening. Prepare the minds.
- Bring a bag of m'n'ms to celebrate the peak. We didn't wait that long, everyone needed the sugar.
- When leaving the peak, keep heading West until you run out of mountain. You will pass the righthand trail fork to Bear Mountain, then a false spur to your left just before the last knoll. There is a sign up there; if you didn't see it, you turned left too soon and will run out of trail just above a cliff. As you head down, it appears you are going mostly NW, but it eventually switches back. This was one of three times I interjected as an adult leader to correct a potentially dangerous situation.
- Bring at least 3 quarts of water apiece. Some of us ran out coming down, even at that.
- Stop about 1/3 the way down, you will see a rock outcropping with a great view from the top.
- Final remark: old guys should have a staff or trekking poles, the trail down is very steep and you WILL lose your footing a number of times. God help those who have to climb this.
/Robig
"I used to be a surfer"
Subject: [Philmont]: Clark Forks to Black Mountain Camp
Our crew is on trek #1. On day 7 we go from Clark Forks to Black Mountain camp. The crew is trying to decide if they want to go over the top of Black Mountain or go around the side of Black Mountain.
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Vote for the stars of Yahoo!'s next ad campaign!
-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------
Received on Wed Jul 21 04:10:33 2004
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.8 : Wed Jul 26 2006 - 11:59:50 CDT