[Philmont]: FW: Trek 26 into???

26 is the old Trek 11 with modifications.  I have hiked 11 twice.   Here is
last summer's 26 Itinerary, with my comments based on what I experienced
with 11. (An observation I will make is that 26 no longer goes to Harlan -
this is a terrific change IMHO). - Signe Rogers
 
1 CHQ Opening Campfire

2 Rimrock Park (Ranger Training)
Rimrock is a change from Trek 11. Looking at the map, we must have hiked
right past it going to Old Abreau but I can't form a mental image of Rimrock
at all, and I've passed that way three times now (the 3rd time on another
trek heading to Hidden Meadow) Anyway, Rimrock is right in the back yard of
New Abreau, so you can do program there your first night. As far as the
hike to Urraca, do_not_be_tempted to take the jeep road. Choose the trail.
We did jeep trail the first crew & it is a killer - straight up - believe
what they tell you about not hiking jeep trails! Next crew we took trail,
even took an out of the way turn by Aguilla Springs (I think that was the
name) and we still had a nicer hike & made better overall time to Urraca.

3 Urraca (Challenge Events, Philmont Story Campfire)

4 Miners Park (Rock Climbing, Environmental Awareness)

Get up & get going if you want to get to Miner's for the rock climbing.
(This is true of any program event since they fill up first-come first
served at the camps. Remember that afternoon storms may interfere with
climbing opportunities, so don't delay. When you leave Miner's for Black
Mountain, you will have the infamous stream crossings all the way - although
with the drought you may not get the full benefit of having wet feet all day
long. We counted something like 48 stream crossings in this stretch. It is
not generally a difficult day, but very interesting. Some of the biggest
cottonwood trees I've seen in my life are along here and I *know* I smelled
cheeseburgers here on one of my treks <gr>. If you are lucky at Black
Mountain, you will get a piece of flat ground to sleep on, we did one time.
The other time was very steep ground and did the down-hill shuffle all night
long.

5 Black Mountain (Mountain Livin', Blacksmithing, Black Powder Rifle)

Leaving Black Mountain is an initial steep climb until you hit the road
above & then on across to nice trail on your way towards Phillips Junction.
You can choose to swing by Beubien or take another trail straight towards PJ
where you likely will have a food pickup. And then on to Comanche Camp,
along side the river. This is a long hike day & will be best to get your PJ
pick-up before noon when they close for their hour lunch. Comanche camp is
a trail camp & there are some very nice sites & some very cruddy ones.
First come gets their choice, so another perk to getting up & moving early
in the morning.

6 Comanche Camp Trail Camp (Homesteading at Crooked Creek)

Another big day as you go over Mt. Philips. Get up very early, especially
if you want to do program at Clear Creek and avoid afternoon thunderstorms
on top of Philips. After passing thru Clear Creek, it gets very steep
headed up to Philips, and you will want to fill up on water at Clear Creek
since Comanche Peak is a dry camp & you have a long way to hike as well as
food to prepare before you get to Sawmill. Not only do you get a steep climb
to higher altitude, you get to do it with extra water weight.

7 Comanche Peak (Rocky Mountain Fur Co. @ Clear Creek, Hike over Mt.
Phillips, Dry Camp, Water @ Clear Creek)

Nice hike to Sawmill now thanks to recent year's OA Trail work. Used to be
mostly jeep road, but now a very nice trail that gives you some terrific
views as you wrap around the mountain. Our crew in 97 was the first one to
hike the new trail!

8 Sawmill (.30/06 Rifle & Reloading, Metallic Silhouette Shooting)

You will need to pass by Ute Gulch Commissary for food, and then on up thru
Cimmaroncito camp on the way to Hunting Lodge. I suggest taking the trail
thru Aspen Springs on the way to Cito - IMHO some of the most beautiful
scenery at Philmont around Aspen Springs. Hunting Lodge is not far at all
from Cito - about a 30 minute walk. It is also not far from Hunting Lodge on
to Clarks Fork the next day.

9 Hunting Lodge (Tour Lodge)

I highly recommend taking the longer route thru Hidden Valley from Hunting
Lodge to Clark's Fork. The views are awesome. Just be sure if your guys
want to ride horses that you make your appointment time for that & judge
your hiking route accordingly.

10 Clarks Fork (Western Lore, Horse Rides, Chuck Wagon Dinner)

It is a very steep climb up Shafer's Pass & a long way across tooth ridge to
the camp. Another time when you do not want to delay getting out of camp
early. Certainly don't want to be on the ridge during afternoon
thunderstorms. Nothing but totally exposed up there with no refuge from
lightening. Nothing but dry all the way into base camp too, so take a good
water supply from Clark's Fork. Tooth Ridge camp is very near the spot to
climb the tooth too, so get to camp, choose your spot (because it is a
crowded last camp spot) and then go climb the tooth. Hint - there is a
campsite on tooth ridge where you can overlook basecamp. Beautiful view,
but if it gets stormy & windy, the wind is awful & it gets cold - voice of
experience speaking here. Much better off in another campsite with more
wind shelter....

11 Tooth Ridge (Trail Camp, Dry Camp)

It is a deceivingly long way still into base camp from Tooth Ridge Camp.
You will be teased by sights of base camp & then the trail wrapping back the
"wrong way" again over & over. It will likely take you 3-4 hours to hike
into base camp.

12 CHQ

As for the strenuous rating.... back when we hiked it as "11" is was rated
typical & we always questioned that. I can fully appreciate that it is now
listed as "26" and given a strenuous rating. Although, without Harlan
included, I would consider it easier than 11 was.

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Received on Wed Mar 12 16:54:44 2003