[Philmont]: Trek 10 Summary plus other details

Trek 10 Summary

Water situation at camps along trek:

Ute Springs (trail camp) - potable well water.
Lower Sawmill (trail camp) - need to purify stream water.
Sawmill (staffed camp) - potable well water and showers.
Mt. Phillips (dry camp) - need to haul water from Cyphers Mine or purify
from stream near Cyphers.
Comanche - (trail camp) - need to purify stream water.
Apache Springs (staffed camp) - potable well water.
Fish camp (staffed camp) - potable well water.
Abreu (staffed camp) - potable well water and showers.
Backache springs (trail camp) - potable spring water.

Food pickup points:

Base camp (day 1)
Ute Gulch (day 3)
Phillips Junction (day 7)
Apache Springs (day 9)

Summary:

Day 1: Arrived at Philmont base camp by bus the morning of July 4th.
This was the first time to Philmont for the advisors and all the scouts.
All of our prep activities went smooth at base camp, thanks to the staff
and our ranger. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Stow all
valuables at Registration and get two lockers from Security for all the
stuff you are not taking on the trail. It's probably best to bring an
extra lock for the crew lockers (our locker was easily pried open). Take
good care of any crew equipment you borrow from Philmont or you may have
to pay for it. Make sure you and your crew chief listen well while at
Logistics and your crew chief shouldn't be afraid to ask lots of
questions. Only take on the trail what you absolutely need. Your ranger
will do a shakedown with you and hopefully eliminate the stuff you don't
need and duplicate items. I saw too many adults with overstuffed packs
on the trail and unnecessary items. Crew items we borrowed from base
camp: dining canopy (used our hiking staffs for poles), bear ropes, bear
bags, polar pure (never used it though) and frisbee (sump strainer).

Day 2: Bus transportation to Cimarroncito turn-around. After some
initial ranger training we hit the trail. Everyone started each day with
at least 3 liters of water and some brought camelbacks as well. The crew
learned that staying hydrated was extremely important. Our first night
would be spent at Ute Springs and our ranger decided to backpack the
scenic route via Hidden Valley. We ate lunch near the picturesque
Cimarroncito Reservoir, a beautiful lake but no swimming or fishing
allowed. A few sore muscles and a boy with stomach pains delayed us when
we reached the top of Window Rock (pace too fast). Great views from the
top of the mountain. The clouds were rolling in and was very windy, but
no rain. We followed a lush Hidden Valley on our way to our camp. We ran
into a few turkeys along the way. We also passed a crew which was
making their way to Cimarroncito camp to sign up for the next days
climbing activity. We should have done the same. Got to camp late and it
was a late night due to ranger training. The only real new thing for us
was the use of a sump (great idea). To our advantage, most of the camps
we stayed at had potable water. We used our pumps a few times along the
trail and never used the polar pure (make sure you return all bottles,
used or not).

Day 3: After a late night and a poorly organized crew, our ranger gave
the crew a tough talking to prior to breaking camp. Off to Ute Gulch for
a large food pick up. We had to pick up enough food for the next four
days and a hike over Mt. Phillips. We were able to dump trash at Ute
Gulch and politely asked for some apples and oranges (a real treat). You
will need to eat them on site. We were able to dump trash at every staff
camp in the back country, just ask politely. Check out the trading post
out back. After stuffing our packs, it was off to Cimarroncito for rock
climbing. We didn't get there until 1300 and we were too late for the
regular climbing event and the boys had to settle for the smaller wooden
climbing wall. This is the price you pay for being a disorganized crew.
After lunch and climbing we were off to Lower Sawmill. During the hike
the storm clouds threatened, but only a spit of rain. Got to Lower
Sawmill at a decent hour. A very pretty camp in a narrow meadow, lined
with aspen. Crew did a better job of getting the camp organized and
dinner going. Our ranger had a strict plan for how to set up and break
camp and it was up to the boys to follow it. At dusk we were treated
with a turkey roosting nearby. We also spotted a glimpse of a black bear
along the ridge. The red roof inn is overflowing, which was mentioned to
the next staff camp. We finished off the evening like all nights with a
thorn, roses and buds session. Make sure you are diligent with bear
safety!

Day 4: Up early in camp and it was the day our ranger was to part ways.
She stayed back and watched the boys this morning and they were slightly
more successful in breaking camp compared to the day prior. We'll always
remember her favorite saying for staying hydrated, "clear and copious".
We had a constant uphill climb that day to Sawmill. The boys were really
looking forward to the 30-06 event at Sawmill and had a great time
shooting holes in their hats and camp shoes at the range. We were able
to take showers and clean our clothes at camp, though you will have to
stoke the boiler. Great views and great staff at Sawmill. This was our
first staff camp and advisor coffee. Learned the caterpillar method of
hiking and used it climbing Phillips the next day. Don't miss the
beautiful sunrise from the porch. It's a good idea and normal protocol
at all staff camps for your crew chief to meet the staff and check in.
Everyone else, except the crew advisor should stay off the porch unless
invited. By now one of our crew advisors was starting to feel the pain
of new boots. Yes he made the mistake of purchasing new boots prior to
the trek, big mistake. He had problems with blisters for the rest of the
trek. One smart thing he did was bring a pair of running shoes that he
could wear when his feet were bad off. I personally wore poly liners
with smartwool socks and my feet loved me the entire trek. Make sure you
treat any hot spots before they become a serious problem.

Day 5: Up before sunrise and ate dinner for breakfast this day to
conserve water. Don't miss the great sunrise from the staff cabin. A
long day on the trail, but you will be rewarded with great views of
Philmont. At Thunder Ridge, we decided that it was best to send a group
down towards Cyphers Mine and get water. We actually pumped water out of
the North Fork of the Cimarroncito Creek. We had some initial thoughts
of trying to make it over Phillips with the water we had, but when we
got to Thunder Ridge and looked over our water supply, we quickly
changed our minds. We caterpillared up Thunder Ridge and Comanche Peak
and were treated with some great views (including Mt. Baldy), then onto
Mt. Phillips. The caterpillar method really worked well for us as it
kept us at a constant pace and it allows the crew to talk to each other
as we hiked, passing time. After setting up camp, we were treated to
more great views at sunset. We always made sure that when we arrived at
any camp, to get the bear bags up first, then the dining canopy and then
the tents. Actually, we had separate groups of boys performing each
task. In addition, we had a good crew duty roster for all duties. The
dining canopy was only used for storing our backpacks. We did not pack
the Philmont poles for the canopy, but used our hiking poles instead.
Met our first pilot-bombardier at Phillips, a real thrill. We brought
two Coleman expert stoves (Powermax fuel) and had no problems along the
trail or on the top of Mt. Phillips. As noted below, PJ was out of
Powermax fuel, but we luckily packed extra fuel with us. As for dinner,
we brought our own 8 qt pots and used the turkey bag method every night,
except the first night.

Day 6: After yesterdays long tiring trek, the boys all slept in. After
getting up late and spending quite a bit of time looking at the view we
were off late to Clear Creek for black powder shooting. We arrived
around 1330 and were too late to shoot. We were the 17th crew to come
through and they only had space for 12, though we enjoyed the trappers
cabin tour and tomahawk throwing. The crew learned another lesson about
getting up and out of camp late and missing the days program. Off to
Comanche camp for the night. We had been virtually mosquito free on the
first leg of the trip, but mosquitoes were in full force along the
Rayado and would be a problem for most of the remainder of the trek.
They seemed to like the younger skin best. We were prepared though with
some 100% Deet and 3M Ultrathon. Comanche camp was a pretty setting
along the creek.

Day 7: Off to Phillips Junction (PJ) for our next food pick up. We had a
beautiful hike following Rayado Creek down to PJ. Hiked past a number of
nice crews along the way. They were all looking forward to that tough
hike up Mt. Phillips. Interesting in that most of the crews we had seen
to date on the trail were from the east coast. PJ had a large swap box
that the crew found a number of treats in. Like Ute Springs, PJ has a
trading post, but they were missing a number of important items like
batteries, soap and Powermax fuel. They could be out of something one
day and have a full load the next. They were also out of fruit, but you
should always ask. Thanks to backcountry staff for helping us with
batteries when we needed them and an extra roll of TP. After a quick
shower and lunch, we were off to Apache Springs. The hike from PJ to
Apache Springs was longer then anticipated. Apache Springs is situated
in a long beautiful meadow. We got in too late for any programs, but day
8 is a lay over day for us and would include our service project.

Day 8: Started the day off with a trail maintenance service project. The
crew enjoyed the trail work. In the afternoon we toured the Indian
teepees and then everyone enjoyed the sweat lodge. Boys had a great
time. We had some time to wash clothes before the 3-D archery. Boys had
a fun time shooting holes in the targets and the winner got a snack pack
(real treat). The skies were full of clouds and threatening both days,
but only rained one hour while we were in the teepee. Boys had a great
time playing frisbee tag and running around in the meadow during the
late evening.

Day 9: Left for a short trek down the Agua Fria Canyon to Fish Camp.
Upon arrival, toured Wade Phillips cabin, a beautiful place. After lunch
tied flies and the group practiced fly fishing along the Agua Fria and
Rayado creeks. My son and I brought fly fishing rods with us on the
trip. Great fishing for browns and rainbows. Anyone taking part in the
program will need to purchase a day fishing license at Fish Camp or
multi day license at base camp. Fish Camp and Philmont in general
preaches catch and release. Fish Camp is a great place to relax and
catch your breath.

Day 10: The crew never did run on all cylinders and got going a little
late like usual. The crew could never break camp under 2 hours. Looking
back, the crew chief should have been tougher on the crew then he was.
We consistently had a few guys who had a hard time getting out of their
tents and slow to break camp. After leaving Fish Camp, we followed the
Rayado Trail to Abreu. Long hike along the ridge with great views
looking down canyon. We ate lunch at Old Abreu and reached Abreu by
early afternoon. After a tour of the Abreu house, the boys found the
root beer in the Cantina. We had a great Mexican dinner that evening and
then most went back to the Cantina and closed the place down. It was
great to taste some real food and to see the boys having fun playing
games and listening to music in the Cantina. They also sell fishing
licenses at the Cantina and a few of us caught and released some nice
trout while fly fishing in the stream. Did I mention the great showers
at Abreu! You can also wash clothes there.

Day 11: Our last full day. We were off to Backache Springs, but first
had a major climb that was in full sun. Being our last day, we were
hoping for something easy, but it was a tough rocky hike up to Toothache
Springs. We had lunch at Toothache and were able to filter water out of
a large spring filled tank. It was then a short hike below Uracca Mesa
over to Backache Springs, where we found a beautiful camp overlooking
lower Rayado basin. The sunset and sunrise views were spectacular.
Similar to Toothache, there is a spring which fills a large tank on the
hillside. Unlike Toothache though, the tank is covered and the water
stays clear and cold. I'm told that the water is potable, but we
filtered it anyway. Spotted a few doe near sunset and ran into a few
blacktail rattlesnakes in camp (first rattlesnakes of the trip). The
boys fashioned up a baseball out of sock and duct tape and played a few
games of baseball. They had a great time and probably the only ones to
ever play baseball at Backache Springs. Don't forget to try out the
pilot-bombardier. It has one of the best views around. Make sure you get
up for the sunrise.

Day 12: Time to say goodbye to the back country. Hiked off Backache
through a field of sunflowers to Rayado turn-around and toured Kit
Carson's home before catching the bus back to base camp. At base camp,
the boys immediately hit the trading post. Crew chief took care of all
of the post hike stuff. A long hot shower sure felt good. Instead of
eating at base camp, we ordered a pizza and ate at the welcome center
pavilion (ask the welcome center for restaurant phone #'s). It was a
welcome treat. Evening camp fire for outbound trekkers was fun and then
it was time to get on the bus and head home. Had a great trek, met a lot
of nice crews on the trail and our ranger and the staff in the
backcountry were super. Watch out for the mini bears, they are
everywhere and will take advantage of you whenever possible.

Thanks to everyone on this listserv for all your help. Information that
I have read here over the past nine months has been extremely valuable
and helped to make our trek a good one.

Thx, Mark
Troop14 ASM
Phx, Az
704-G8 Crew Advisor

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Received on Fri Jul 23 00:49:21 2004