Re: [Philmont]: Trek 31

Since no one has detailed out your entire trek, here are some thoughts:

Old Abreu to Crater Lake - Assuming you're guys are not the type that
determine trails based on the number of contour lines, an early start
here would allow hiking or side-hiking Trail Peak. That would also give
your Ranger an excellent spot for his Ranger Moment - a good selling
point if he/she balks at the time (or sweat) requirement. BTW, recent
comments on the list would suggest that the Crater Lake Program has been
pretty good lately.

Crater Lake to Shaefers Pass - with, I assume, the usual programs at
Miner's Park on the way? (rock climbing, E. Sci.). Unless the spring at
Shaefers is running real well (which, for the first time in some years,
may actually be a reality this year), I personally would suggest to your
Crew Chief that eating dinner for lunch, either at Miner's Park (well
water) or at North Fork Urraca camp (creek) is the way to go. Note that
if you just do the morning rock climb at M.P., eat dinner for lunch, and
hustle up to the Pass, you could consider doing the Tooth as a side
hike; but be aware, that would be an all afternoon sort of thing, and
you'll be *plenty* tired by the time you get back. I would budget 5
hours start to finish on side-hiking the Tooth from the Pass, and 6
would be more prudent.

Shaeffers Pass to Cimarroncito - plenty of options here. If your guys
can stand to get up at the crack of doom, you could catch sunrise on
Shaefers Peak (almost as good as sunrise on the Tooth, and a heck of a
lot safer to get to). Clark's Fork offers all sorts of activities, and
if you have a horseback ride, it would likely be scheduled here for the
morning. If so, note that it takes about 50 minutes to get to Clark's
Fork from S.P. Other activities include horseshoes, boot branding,
lassoing, cowboy lecture, etc. Leaving Clark's Fork, you have two
options to get to Cimarroncito - the easier offers a quick side-hike to
Hunting Lodge, and we have had a lot of favorable testimonials on that
program the last 2 years. The (much) harder route is to climb up to
Hidden Valley to catch Window Rock, one of the top five views in all
Philmont. In the latter case, you would continue down Hidden Valley
towards Aspen Springs, and back cut to Cimarroncito. Don't know what
programs you would have scheduled at Cimarroncito, but the more time you
spend at Clark's Fork, the less time you'll have a 'cito; it's a
tradeoff, and the Crew has to make their decisions on what they want to do.

Cimarroncito to Harlan - presumably with a stop at Ute Gulch Commissary.
  If you chose not to side hike Hidden Valley the previous day, you
could get up early and do that first, before heading to Ute Gulch. In
fact, you could even drop your packs and raise your bear bags at Aspen
Springs, then do the hike with just daypacks (breakfast and canteens).
 From Ute Gulch, you can go either over or around (to the south) Deer
Lake Mesa to Harlan; both have merit, but I personally think the
"south/around" route is more scenic. Harlan offers reloading, shotgun
shooting, and burro racing. DO NOT miss the burro racing, even though
the guys will be tired by 7 pm; it's a blast.

Harlan to Cimarron River - The upper trail (across Deer Lake Mesa to
Upper Bench) is more difficult, but offers some decent overlooks of
Midnight Mesa as you're coming to Upper Bench. The lower trail is (if I
remember right) not particularly scenic, but is certainly a lot easier.
  Both trails join north of Upper Bench, and head down to Visto Grande
camp. My personal version of "Inspiration Point" is at the top of the
switchbacks heading down to Visto Grande. It's just as you come out of
the trees, and offers a spectacular view up the Ute Creek Valley towards
Baldy and Touch Me Not. This is allegedly where David Westfall wrote
the Philmont Hymn, and is another of one of my top 5 Philmont views. At
Visto Grande camp, there is a spring with MUCH better water than the
swill in the Cimarron River, so you may wish to cook dinner for lunch
here again, and if not carry all you can down to the Cimarron River
Camp. Visto Grande and Cimarron River Camps are both unstaffed, so no
program other than chatting with your fellow Crews. It's a easy walk to
Rt 64, so people have had pizza and sodas delivered here, if you are so
inclined (I personally am not).

Cimarron River to Head of Dean - Get an early start - you DO NOT want to
be stuck in Bear Canyon in the heat of the day. If you want a real
challenge (and some really spectacular views behind you as you climb),
hike from Bear Canyon over Midnight Mesa to New Dean Camp. Otherwise,
go straight up Bear Canyon through Santa Claus and on to Head of Dean.
Well water is available at either New Dean or Santa Claus. Head of Dean
is a jumpin' place, so either way don't drag your tails, or you'll have
to wait til the following morning to do the Challenge Course.

Head of Dean to Baldy Camp - Again, get an early start, and head to
Miranda first - if you get there early, you can likely wrangle black
powder rifle shooting and tomahawk throwing, and (if you want) the Mtn.
Man Rendezvous program. From Miranda you can head up to Baldy Camp
through Ute Meadows, set up camp, then head to Baldytown for
semi-program and getting cleaned up.

Baldy Camp II - SOP is to go over Baldy, starting out as early as you
can see, then go down through Copper Park. Go down "The Wall" and hit
the Aztec Mine about 3/4's of the way to French Henry. Then do
Blacksmithing and Gold Panning at French Henry, then take the road back
to Baldytown. I'm guessing your Commissary pickup is scheduled for this
day, so you may need to send some guys back to camp to get empty
backpacks or bear-bags.

Baldy Camp to Flume Canyon - Again, get a crack of doom start. Suggest
you go through Ewell's Park and Pueblano Ruins to Pueblano, and do both
the Spar Pole Climbing and Continental Tie and Lumber Company programs
at Pueblano. Since Pueblano has purified well water, you may one last
time consider cooking dinner for lunch. You can also ask the Camp
Director at Pueblano for permission to come back for the campfire
program that evening, but be forewarned, that's about an hour and 15
minute hike back in the dark, so even though they usually allow it from
Pueblano Ruins, they probably won't from Flume Canyon. But it don't
hurt to ask.

I assume you're getting picked up at Ponil. If so, if you have a later
pickup, don't laze around in camp - hustle down to Ponil and hit the
Cantina and the museum - a nice way to end your trek.

This looks like a pretty neat trek; I'm sure your Crew will have a great
time.

Budd, Terry wrote:
> Hey all,
>
> Just got the trek confirmation from Philmont - Trek 31 (our first
> choice!). This trek is new this year, so no summaries are posted on the
> Web. I was wondering if anyone has experience with portions of this
> trek. Does anyone have any insights,advice, opportunities not to miss,
> routes to take, things to watch out for, etc. for this trek.
>
> Trek 31:
> Old Abreu
> Crater Lake
> Shaefers Pass
> Cimarroncito
> Harlan
> Cimarron River
> Head of dean
> Baldy Camp
> Baldy Camp
> Flume Canyon
>
> YiS,
> -Terry

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Received on Thu Mar 27 22:22:58 2003