For fellow Philmonter’s, you recognize the title as the Philmont Grace. For 2007 Philmont Expedition 725-N, we now have a full understanding of its meaning. We lived it for 12 glorious days in Cimarron, New Mexico!
For two of us it was a second trip through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Philmont Scout Ranch but this time we did Trek 24, a full cross section from the Southeast to the Northwest corners of the ranch. With side hikes we estimate around 100 total miles hiked.  Three male adults, one female adult (FYI, Cassie’s got game), and 7 youth, ages 16-19, made the trip. It was quite an adventure, one that will remain in our hearts and minds forever.
We began in Albuquerque where we chowed down at Lot-a-burger, toured the Atomic Museum, Old Town, went up to Sandia Peak via Tramway and finshed the night off with a fine New Mexican dinner at Sadie’s before setting up urban camp at the Marriott. Pretty rough so far…hunh?Â
The next day we were off on a 3.5 hour bus ride to “The Ranch”. Arriving at Philmont is quite a sight…a sea of canvas tents, home bound and trail bound campers alike with packs in tow scurrying about, a myriad of admin buildings and staff housing, the Tooth of Time trading post, the mountains as a back drop…THIS is a base camp!
After an easy Day 1 on the trail to Rayado River and Ranger Training, early morning Day 2 took us to Abreu to milk a few goats and add Cantina Root Beer to our trail breakfast before being humbled by a “Welcome to Philmont” climb of 2400 vertical feet up to Lookout Meadow. After recovering, we all agreed that the view was worth it.
Day 3, no more Ranger Josh (affectionately known as ”J-Dog”), we were on our own and proceeded to Lookout Peak then down to Fish Camp where we learned to tie flies and then off to Phillips Junction (PJ) for re-supply then Beubien for a Chuck Wagon Dinner and evening campfire. Day 4 at Beubien we got showers, had a few items branded, were introduced to “mini-bear” abatement measures (gotta ask) then headed off to Black Mountain for lunch and a little blacksmithing. We then opted to take the “rain forest” trail AROUND Black Mountain rather than take the 12 hour “up and over” hike to our destination, Shaefers Pass.  Â
Day 5 was our longest mileage day. Up early for a ”side hike” (Yeah right!) to the Tooth of Time (Elevation – 9003 feet) overlooking Base Camp. From there we could see where we were headed for the next four days…Mount Baldy.  For some it was enlightening…for others, well the words “what was I thinking” come to mind! After taking in the breathtaking view it was back down to break camp and on to Cimarroncito where it was up, up, up to our campsite completing a 14 plus mile day!      Â
Day 6 began with a 3 hour Meadow Encroachment Conservation Project (Timberrrrrrrrr!), followed by showers, climbing / rappelling then off to Ute Gulch for re-supply before huffing it up, then down to the Cimarron River. We stopped for dinner along the way and ended with a NIGHT hike to the Rivah! (Got a sidebar regarding our “ego” scouts, so if interested in the story please inquire within!)
Day 7 took us through Santa Claus Camp (don’t ask) where we had lunch and then were off to the Head of Dean (HOD). This campsite actually had this pipe coming up out of the ground with this twisty thing on the end and when you turned it, clear, clean potable water came out. Wow, very cool! Very cool indeed!!!
Day 8 the boys were treated to low COPE at HOD and a peek along the way at a pair of mating rattlesnakes. Then it was off to Miranda for some Black Powder shooting and Tomahawk throwing before heading UP to Black Horse Camp for a TWO NIGHT stay!
Day 9 was Baldy Day!  No not my birthday, it was the day we climbed Baldy Mountain (Elevation - 12,441 feet).  The climb to the summit rises abruptly with 3,640 feet of vertical relief in just 3 miles. Remember the movie “Dead Man Walking”? Well on this day, Mr. H was the star! Slow and steady didn’t win the race but it did keep air evac at base camp for the day! It wasn’t long before clouds rolled in so we headed on down as a few days earlier a group of scouts were literally introduced to the shocking power of mother nature. Some of our crew went to pan for gold at Fort Henry while others visited Baldy Town where we met up for re-supply and showers.
Day 10? Oh yeah…Burro day! We picked up our burro at Miranda and then were off to Pueblano (Continental Tie and Lumber) via the Baldy Skyline Trail for a little logger ball, one of the best campfires and perhaps THE best staff at Philmont! The next day we rose early to climb spar poles and then on to Ponil to drop off the burro and snag a little more Root Beer prior to heading back to Base Camp.Â
Congrats to Tim, Tony and Cassie, my fellow Adult Advisors, for surviving and thanks to Pete, Andrew, Tim, Chris, Ethan, John and Erik for not harassing us too much along the way! All of you made this adventure one for the memory books!           Â
Words simply cannot do the trip justice, the photos get you a bit closer but as you might expect, nothing can take the place of the experience! Random selection permitting, we hope to go again in 2009. If you are age 14 by January 1, 2009 OR have completed the 8th grade and are at least 13 prior to participation, you can join us! So in the immortal words of the 2007 crew, “zip up that ‘man suit’ (Sorry Cassie!) and come along for the adventure of a lifetime!”
Silver on the sage, starlit skies above
Aspen covered hills, country that I love.
Philmont here’s to thee, Scouting paradise
Out in God’s country tonight.
Wind in whispering pines, Eagle soaring high
Purple mountains rise against an azure sky.
Philmont here’s to thee, Scouting paradise
Out in God’s country tonight.
YIS,
Mr. H