From: Alan Thomson (abthomson@goes.com)
Date: Tue May 07 2002 - 11:00:01 CDT
Another item from last weekend's Patriots' Path Council Philmont training....
One of the sessions was for an experienced Philmont veteran to go over with
each crew their itinerary, to give them some insight into issues like program
availability (especially programs nearby their route not listed in TREKS), managing
water and meals, taking advantage of especially scenic spots, etc - in general,
what we called "trek optimization" or making the most of the opportunities.
Several of the routes included Greenwood Canyon to Copper Park. Neither the
large scale overall map nor the Valle and North Section Maps show any trail
between the Canyon and the camp (by the way, for added confusion, the canyon
is mis-labeled "Cottonwood" on the overall map - the real Cottonwood Canyon
is correctly labeled further to the east). Dwight Stein, the Philmont backcountry
manager present, had the USGS Baldy Mountain quadrangle map with him which includes
the areas to the west and off of the Philmont Maps, and which shows a four wheel
drive trail that goes MOST of the way to Copper Park (of course, that map can
be viewed on-line at resources like Topozone.com as well). Dwight advised that
the trail on the ground actually extends even further than shown on the map.
This had been a real puzzle to the person advising crews with that hike, as
the Philmont maps imply more bushwhacking than normal in the Valle. Dwight
said that more than one crew has been missing for days doing that particular
segment.
To answer a question the above may raise, crews should never be bushwhacking
on the ranch itself - there are trails (some better than others, as discussed
recently) between all camps.
- Al Thomson
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