From: John.N.Williard@betzdearborn.com
Date: Thu Mar 28 2002 - 14:12:56 CST
We also did trek 20 in 2001 (706-S). I want to add a little to what Phil
Brown answered:
1. Day 7 Copper Park to Baldy Skyline Camp (new camp in 2002) will be a
shorter day than pushing on to Dean of Dean. There should be some great
views from that camp but the downside will be the next day stopping at Head
of Dean and doing the timberstand conservation project for 3 hours. This
will make for a longer day 8 hiking to Visto Grande after the project work
is complete.
2. I would also have to rate #20 as Strenuous instead of Rugged. It was
listed as 61 miles last year, when I got home I measured the distance we
hiked off the maps and came up with 77 miles as our hiking distance and
that did not include hiking to do the program at Miranda (we were too beat
after doing Baldy, French Henry and Baldy Town). That would have added
about 6 extra miles to the total milage.
3. They may have also re-calculated the mileage with the food pickup at
Ute Junction. Anyway 75 miles is a lot closer to what the actual total will
likely be.
4. The only information that I have about Baldy Skyline Camp was posted
earlier "For anyone who selects trek 20 (or for that matter, ends up hiking
along Baldy Skyline between Head of Dean and the Baldy area) - Philmont dug
a well where Baldy Skyline camp is now located. It's a good well too -
about 16 gallons per minute".
5. Get everyone into shape. Get moving each day as early as possible.
The Valle is awesome, enjoy every step on it's trails. The hike from Rich
Cabins to Greenwood goes pretty fast, don't stop at the first camps right
after you turn into Greenwood canyon, push on till the end of the canyon.
Get as much rest as you can that afternoon because you will need it
climbing the trail to Copper Park. There is a small spring along the trail
about 1/2 way up the ridge. It's a significant climb uphill along an old
4WD road with lots of fallen trees. You will know the summit when you
reach it. The downhill from the summit is very loose dirt and is almost
vertical. You will need to hold on tight and go from tree to tree to keep
from falling. It took us one hour to get from the summit in Copper Park.
It was our 2nd worse day, the 15 miles from Turkey Creek to Hunting Lodge
was the worse day.
We got up on top of Baldy from Cooper Park the next morning at 9 AM. Take
lots of pictures, the view and experience is worth it. Hiked/slid back down
the backside of Baldy back into Cooper Park, split the crew 4/4 half went
to French Henry and the others to Baldy Town. The hikes back from both
places are steep.
The programs at Rich Cabins, French Henry, and Hunting Lodge were great.
Wish I had that log cabin.
See if you can get an extra lunch at your last food pickup at Ute Junction.
Our scouts did a food challenge (eating four packs of hot chocolate in two
minutes - without water) otherwise do as suggested and have your dinner for
lunch at Clark's Fork before hiking to Tooth Ridge, a dry camp. The trail
up to Schaffer's Pass is a long one and you will need to refill your water
bottles at the spring. The trail from Schaffer's Pass to Tooth Ridge Camp
is very rough and rocky. The view is outstanding (we looked down on an
airplane flying below us when we were on the ridgeline). The trail from
Tooth Ridge Camp to headquarters goes on forever, it was over an hour from
where you could see the tents till we walked through the gateway. Save
water for this final hike. We made it in for lunch in the dinning hall.
I will e-mail you our trip report.
John Williard
SM Troop 1772
The Woodlands, TX
706-S 2001
Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 19:28:55 -0500
From: "Phil Brown" <philbrown@enterinfosys.com>
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Re: trek 20
We did 20 last year. To answer your questions:
1. There is also a change from Turkey Creek to Visto Grande on day 8. This
reduces the mileage significantly from last year.
2. The mileage last year was seriously understated. Actual miles were
closer to 68. We estimated we did around 85 counting our side hikes. With
the change in camps, the mileage may be more accurate for 2002.
3. This may include the Baldy/Mirada side hike miles which are not
included
in the 63 miles.
4. Can't help you with this one.
Overall 20 is a great trek. Valle, Baldy, and hike in over the Tooth. A
few suggestions/ideas:
Get into shape. You will enjoy it more.
Do not miss chore time and the evening program at Rich Cabins. I never
though I would see our scouts shoveling and hauling manure and laughing at
the same time.
Hike well into Greenwood Canyon to set up your camp. The further you go,
the easier you will have it the next day going into Copper Park leaving
plenty of time to go to French Henry for that program. Don't be fooled by
the low mileage from Greenwood Canyon to Copper Park. It is serious uphill
for several miles followed by a controlled fall from tree to tree into
Copper Park.
On your side hike day, you will do about 12 miles if you go up Baldy,
through Baldy Town, to Miranda for the program, and then back to Copper
Park
(via Baldy Town). The first part of the hike from Baldy Town to Copper
Park
is a killer after all the other hiking that day. That is the only place
our
crew used the caterpillar during our trek (thanks to those on this list
that
described it, it gave our crew a pick up when it was really needed). If
your crew is tired after going over Baldy, you may want to consider
skipping
the program at Miranda. We laugh (now) about hiking an extra 6 miles to
throw a hatchet in the rain. Also, when we passed through Baldy Town the
first time we took showers and washed clothes. Everyone in our crew said
they thought they would skip the showers/wash if they had to do it over
again. After going to Miranda and back to Copper Park, you could not tell
you had a shower.
Do not miss the evening program at Hunting Lodge. One of the highlights of
the trek.
Have your dinner for lunch at Clark's Fork before hiking to Tooth Ridge, a
dry camp. May be different this year, but the spring at Schaffer's Pass
was
running real slow when we were there. Several crews were backed up getting
water. We packed all our water from Clark's Fork which turned out to be a
good decision.
You can get into CHQ early which allows plenty of time for going into town
for real food and touring the Villa Philmonte.
Phil Brown
Questions for listserve:
1. Does anybody know why #20 was changed from Rugged to
Strenuous this year. It has been rated as Rugged for 2001 & 2000.
The only change that I can see is that on Day #7 we are going to
Baldy Skyline camp instead of Head of Dean.
2. The milage has changed from 61 miles in 2001 & 2000 to 63
miles this year.
3. In the peaks book the elevation chart appears to be the wrong for
this hike since it shows 75 miles. Everywhere else is shows the 63
miles
4. Is the Baldy Skyline Camp near the Blackhawk trail that the OA
trail crew built last year? My son was on the OA Trail crew and it
would be a great treat to know that we were hiking on a trail that he
helped to build.
5. Any information on #20 would be appreciated.
Yours in Scouting....
Mike Floyd
ASM, Troop 149
Northeast Georgia Council
Lead Advisor-Philmont 98,00,02
G.A.T.C. Thru Hiker 98 & 00
Visit our Troop web site at http://www.oconeeTroop149.org/
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