Our hike at the BSA Philmont Scout Ranch was a seven day 30-mile trek designed to test our ten-person crew (consisting of three adults and their boys, plus an additional four scouts and a Ranch-assigned ranger). Starting from Camping Headquarters on Day 1, we would travel from Ponderosa Park to Miners Park and a conservation project, and thence to a trail camp at Aguila, with a pass-through program at Crater Lake. We would then camp at Urraca, ascending 1,740 feet to Tooth Ridge. Finally, Day 7 was our longest day by mileage and biggest descent, as we would summit the iconic Tooth of Time at 9,003 feet and then hiked into Base Camp for a closing campfire. This trek encircles the Tooth of Time, providing multiple perspectives of the peak as we hike over ridges and into valleys , with campsite elevations ranging from a minimum of 7,908 feet to a maximum of 8,246 feet.
We trained for months prior, three shakedown hikes in total, each meant to test our resilience and teamwork, including an ill-fated hike (for me) at Tucker's Ravine on the Appalachian Trail. We regularly sweated out five-mile hikes in Connecticut parks, but they are a far cry from New Mexico's time difference (Mountain Time vs. Eastern Time), elevation (6,000 feet above sea level), baking sun, and relentless rocks and scree. We prepared as best we could; I work out five times a week, including strength and endurance exercises. Although I'm in my early 50s, my doctor considers me to be in excellent shape ... none of which would save me from suffering the rigors altitude sickness and lack of sleep (although, as others have pointed out, I could have done much worse). Philmont treks are not for the faint of heart.
Our adventure truly began not on the trail, but in Cimarron, New Mexico, a small, historic town with a wild past. It felt like stepping into a living legend, a place known by figures like Kit Carson and Buffalo Bill. The very name Cimarron, meaning "wild" or "untamed" in Spanish, perfectly echoed the stories of its unruly history. We stayed at the St. James Hotel – a place where legendary gunfighters like Jesse James, Wyatt Earp, and Clay Allison once stayed. The chilling detail that "twenty-six men were allegedly carried from the hotel—feet first!" truly brought its notorious past to life for us (if you need a setting for your Boot Hill game, this is it). It was awe-inspiring to realize that every mountain we could see belonged to Philmont, with the iconic "Tooth of Time" just visible on the horizon, our final destination.
Our hike at the Philmont Scout Ranch would cover a total of 30 miles, considered rugged difficulty with a good mix of program and hiking time. Our minimum campsite elevation was 7,908 feet, and the maximum was 8,246 feet. On Day 3 at North Fork Urraca, we'd be doing a conservation project involving new trail construction. Our trek included two Staffed camps, three Trail camps, and two Dry Camps, and even a chance at taking showers at Miners Park on Day 3 (this would prove ironic indeed).
We stayed in the air conditioned rooms connected to the hotel. Other troops would gather together in the Lambert's. Originally built in 1872 by Henry Lambert—President Abraham Lincoln’s personal chef—the establishment began as a saloon and evolved into the St. James Hotel. We ate our last meal in a civilized fashion and tried to watch Tombstone on the big screen TV, but that wasn't an option, so we made do quizzing our Scout Leader, who had just spent the prior week in Philmont. Tomorrow was Day 1, the first big day on the ranch itself.
We trained for months prior, three shakedown hikes in total, each meant to test our resilience and teamwork, including an ill-fated hike (for me) at Tucker's Ravine on the Appalachian Trail. We regularly sweated out five-mile hikes in Connecticut parks, but they are a far cry from New Mexico's time difference (Mountain Time vs. Eastern Time), elevation (6,000 feet above sea level), baking sun, and relentless rocks and scree. We prepared as best we could; I work out five times a week, including strength and endurance exercises. Although I'm in my early 50s, my doctor considers me to be in excellent shape ... none of which would save me from suffering the rigors altitude sickness and lack of sleep (although, as others have pointed out, I could have done much worse). Philmont treks are not for the faint of heart.
Our adventure truly began not on the trail, but in Cimarron, New Mexico, a small, historic town with a wild past. It felt like stepping into a living legend, a place known by figures like Kit Carson and Buffalo Bill. The very name Cimarron, meaning "wild" or "untamed" in Spanish, perfectly echoed the stories of its unruly history. We stayed at the St. James Hotel – a place where legendary gunfighters like Jesse James, Wyatt Earp, and Clay Allison once stayed. The chilling detail that "twenty-six men were allegedly carried from the hotel—feet first!" truly brought its notorious past to life for us (if you need a setting for your Boot Hill game, this is it). It was awe-inspiring to realize that every mountain we could see belonged to Philmont, with the iconic "Tooth of Time" just visible on the horizon, our final destination.
Our hike at the Philmont Scout Ranch would cover a total of 30 miles, considered rugged difficulty with a good mix of program and hiking time. Our minimum campsite elevation was 7,908 feet, and the maximum was 8,246 feet. On Day 3 at North Fork Urraca, we'd be doing a conservation project involving new trail construction. Our trek included two Staffed camps, three Trail camps, and two Dry Camps, and even a chance at taking showers at Miners Park on Day 3 (this would prove ironic indeed).
We stayed in the air conditioned rooms connected to the hotel. Other troops would gather together in the Lambert's. Originally built in 1872 by Henry Lambert—President Abraham Lincoln’s personal chef—the establishment began as a saloon and evolved into the St. James Hotel. We ate our last meal in a civilized fashion and tried to watch Tombstone on the big screen TV, but that wasn't an option, so we made do quizzing our Scout Leader, who had just spent the prior week in Philmont. Tomorrow was Day 1, the first big day on the ranch itself.
