This trek is very similar to the one we did in 2001. Back then it was Trek 11.

They
have made a lot of changes since then.

Day 1: Base Camp: Arrive early so you can get into Logistics ASAP. That’s where
they assign buses – first come, first served – for the next day. An early bus means
less time in base camp (hot, boring) and more time on the trail, which is what you are
here for. You will sign up for trail ride at Clarks Fork here. You can hike back down
from your campsite for the trail ride the last morning, but it makes for a VERY long
last day. I don’t recommend it. Check the water board in Logistics as well. Need to
know if the springs are flowing at Wild Horse and Schaeffers Pass. Don’t miss the
nightly Sacrament meeting. Your boys will likely get to help out with the service and
may be given assignments for when they return on day 12.

Day 2: Rayado River Camp: You hike <2 miles the first day so (assuming you get an
early bus) you will have plenty of time to play along the way. First section of hike
takes you down to Rayado creek. Stop at Zastrow! Do a cabin tour and check out
the kudu. The cabin used to be dedicated solely to Wood Badge. Look for a familiar
face amongst the staff pictures in the small office room. Do “Land Navigation” aka
orienteering program at Zastrow as well before moving on. Also - they offer a cobbler
dessert at Zastrow. Before you leave, see if they will let you come back and get
some later that evening.
Once you’ve set up camp and done the required ranger training, continue on down
the trail and cross the river to Abreu - spend some time in the cool of the cantina
sipping root beer (the last "real food" you will see for a while). There are also
showers just off the trail between your camp and Abreu. You will pass them on your
left as you head towards Abreu. NOTE: you may be able to visit Abreu the next
morning on your way out, but the cantina is better during the heat of the day. I’m
not sure if it’s open in the morning.

Day 3: Carson Meadows: Another short day with a bit of uphill. You will plenty of
time for program this day. I’ve never done the SAR program, but have heard good
things about it. DON’T sleep in. You need to practice getting out of camp quickly in
the AM. I’ve seen crews get up, break camp and leave in 30-45 minutes. Our best
was ~1 hr. Some (disorganized) crews can take 2+ hours to get moving in the AM.
Don’t let that happen to you. Get up, hike while it’s cool, and then play. You can
sleep in when you get home.

Day 4: Fish Camp: Ranger will leave you. Get up early so you have plenty of time to
play at Fish Camp. Find a nice (sunny) play with a view along the trail for breakfast.
You will want to take a break after hiking for a while so why not eat breakfast then
when people are awake. It will also help you get out of camp much faster if people
are not waiting on breakfast. NOTE: Before you leave base camp, check on what you
need to take with you to purchase fishing licenses at Fish Camp – they are required
for everyone and if I remember right you need your ID to get one. You can buy them
at base camp, but then the clock start ticking.

Day 5/6: Apache Springs: From Fish Camp it’s an easy, picturesque walk for a ways
up the valley along the creek, then the trail turns sharply right and up. Watch for the
turn off. It’s right after a stream crossing and easy to miss. I’ve missed it - twice. If
you do miss it you will soon run out of trail and have to backtrack to find it. This is
your first real taste of switchbacks. Once you’re on top it’s a short hike into Apache
Springs. Plenty of time for program with a layover here. No showers but a sweat
lodge. Not my cup of tea, but the boys really enjoyed it. Archery is fun. We also
spent time here playing ultimate in the meadow. See how long you last at this
altitude. First food resupply. Check the swap box for goodies and leave what you
don’t want (to carry). Get a good night’s rest so you can start early the next day.

Day 7: Sunday - Wild Horse: After two days in one spot the boys should be ready to
move on. Start early (notice a recurring theme) so you have plenty of time for
showers at Phillips Junction (PJ). Pick up more food, and fuel as needed. They
usually have fresh fruit as well. Then it’s onward and upward. You are going to a trail
camp with no program, so no need to arrive too early, but this is your longest day so
far – and your highest altitude, again so far. Take a break at Crooked Creek and
check out their cabin on the way up. If springs aren’t flowing near your campsite you
will need to find water before you get to camp.
Find a quiet place for a peaceful sacrament / testimony meeting. Someplace with a
view would be especially nice. Take some time to reflect. Chaplain’s Aide should
organize the service.

Day 8: Mount Phillips: Start early, eat breakfast up the hill on the trail. Fun
mountain man program at Clear Creek. Consider cooking supper at Clear Creek and
then eat lunch later that evening on top of Phillips so you don’t have to carry up as
much water. You will still need to carry enough water to last you until the next day
because there isn’t any on top. Check out the rock chairs on the west side of the
summit and watch the sunset from there. I have fond memories of a Sacrament
meeting and then a lengthy singalong as the sun set on top of Phillips. This early in
the year there may still be snow in the shade. It will probably be pretty cold at night.
Hot chocolate/cider (from one of your breakfasts or “borrowed” from advisors coffee)
before bed can help morale and provide warmth.

Day 9: Cypher’s Mine: The trail coming down the East side of Phillips is not very
easy to follow. There is a trail though. Use your map and you will find it. If you are
feeling frisky, go South and over Big Red on the way to Cyphers. There are lots of
things to do at Cypher’s. Also wood fired showers. Do NOT miss the Stomp in the
evening. It’s a high energy campfire program you will not find anywhere else. We
hiked over from Lamberts last time just to attend. You will be assigned a shelter to
sleep in. No tents needed. Much easier, but a bit more exposed.

Day 10: ‘Cito: An easy downhill hike along a stream. Very pleasant. Stop and do
the Hunting Lodge tour before turning North. Cimarroncito is one of the largest camps
on the ranch. Sign up for climbing as soon as you arrive. May want to climb in the
morning to avoid getting rained out. Rainy day alternative is indoor climbing room
which is still fun. About the rainy day program option at the ranch. Don't miss the
evening climbing wall competition. Keep your campsite ship-shape. They will
inspect. Lots of other campers. Great showers - just make sure you check the
schedule.
NOTE: Crew 628 C2 (Spencer, Tyler and Dave Brady, Tyler Callens, et. al.) will be in
‘Cito this night too. Look them up and swap lies with them. They can also tell you
about status of spring at Schaeffers Pass.

Day 11: Ponderosa Park: Hike north to Ute Gulch to get your food, then turn south
through Hidden Valley and down past Window Rock. Great view of Tooth Ridge and
area to the SE of Philmont. Need to be in Clarks Fork at appointed time for trail ride.
Depending on the timing, you can hike up to your campsite and set up camp before
descending to Clarks Fork for supper – or you can hike up afterwards. Confirm status
of spring at Schaeffers Pass before hiking up to campsite – so you know how much
water to carry. Last night on the trail. Plan for a quite evening with time for
testimony meeting and reflection.
Day 12: Hike over Tooth Ridge to base camp: The longest day you will have. Get an
early start so you can get to the Tooth before the afternoon thundershowers do. Day
starts out going up and up. Good views to NW. There is a spring at Schaeffers Pass
just SW of campsites along well-marked trail. Last chance for water. (If spring is not
flowing you will need to bring LOTS (4-6 liters/person) of water with you up from
Clarks Fork. The trail east along ridge is very rocky until you get past the Tooth. Drop
packs (and hang smellables) at base of Tooth and scramble to the top. Great views
and photo ops from the top of the Tooth. The trail gets easier from here, but it’s full
of long, hot, boring switchbacks. You will see base camp several times and long
before you ever get there. All those squiggles shown on the map are real. This is
where you will use all the water you have left. Just remember, supper, showers, and
ice cream await you in Base Camp.

Turn in your gear at Services before letting people disperse for showers and the
trading post. Before you leave home, tell all the parents to send a letter (or better
yet, some food) so everyone has some mail waiting for them when you get back to
base camp. Mailing address is in your paperwork somewhere. You can also do
laundry and showers are a must. The final Sacrament meeting will be memorable
and the campfire is pretty good as well. The cot will feel wonderful after 10 nights on
the ground.

Have fun!--Rich

Links:

http://www.scouting.org/HighAdventure/Philmont/Camping.aspx
Official BSA site. Lots of official info and forms.

http://www.lns.cornell.edu/~seb/philmont.html
Best compilation of Philmont links around.

http://philmontforum.com/cms/
More good info.

Advisor_Guide.pdf

Best overall guide I’ve found. Has been updated several times over the years.