Philmont 2000 Trek #33
Date: July-2000
From: Dave Lyons david.lyons3@pseg.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 7:06 PM
Subject: Yes, we made it!!!!
We made it back fine. Had a great time but it was a little much for some on our crew.
Day 1 - Lover's Leap - no problem - Had a brief hailstorm while at camp - We were in woods away from all the other crews, a Lover's Leap site our ranger, Bobby McGill likes.
Day 2 - Miner's Park - Got there really quick even with out our ranger. He had left us in AM with a stomach problem (severe internal pain) - All the scouts made it up the rocks - I tried but did not get up (I had made it at Cimmaroncito in 97). Bobby joined us later that afternoon after being cleared by medical center. He brought frozen pizza since we did so good without him.
Day 3 - Beaubien - got there too late for cons project even though we tried real hard. We have several slow hikers. Relaxed in Beaubien. Horseshoes, roping the plastic steers, chuck wagon, campfire. People greeting us at Beaubien (as well as all other camps except Pueblano were amazed at our itinerary. They couldn't believe no layovers. This was surprising as we were so late in summer. I guess 33 is not traveled too much.)
Day 4 - Lambert's Mine (This was a change - Comanche Peak and Phillips were still closed for bears) Because this meant we were not doing Big Red or Bonita or Comanche we went over Black with full packs. All 11 of us made it to the top and saw the Everest sign!!! This trail is either the hardest or next to hardest on the ranch (Baldy from Copper Park is the other one) depending on the ranger/ staffer you with whom you are talking. We stopped at Black Mountain Camp first and did Black Powder (I missed my bandanna). Skipped blacksmithing (forge was cold). Lambert's is a small, hilly camp near Cypher's. Trail down from Black to Lambert's is old and not well used. We got confused at one point trying to figure out if we were at Comanche Pass yet or not. Part of this trail is marked with Philmont Arrowheads stenciled on the trees!! Tells you they have not done work on it in a long time. Sorry I did not get a picture of one. When we got to Comanche Pass it was well marked, we should have guessed that instead of having almost an hour packs off break while debating. But the rest was needed and felt good. However, because of that we got to Lambert's too late (and tired) to make the stomp at Cypher's. In the morning there was a deer checking all the rocks for salt that would not leave our area.
Day 5 - Aspen Springs - Before leaving we side hiked to Cypher's for the mine tour. Skipped panning and blacksmithing (forge was cold). Went to Hunting Lodge and had the tour. Took quick route to Cimmaroncito because nether Glenn nor his wife, the Hunting Lodge staffers, could tell us how long the trail past Cathedral and Window rocks would take us and Scouts were afraid of missing the 5:00PM closing of Ute Gulch. Got caught in a short intense thunderstorm at Cimmaroncito which we waited out on a porch. Left some Scouts at Aspen Springs setting up camp while rest went to Ute Gulch for food. There was a Rayado crew with Boys' Life photogs just past the big rock next to us.
Day 6 - Santa Claus - long, long day - 11 hours on the trail - got into Santa Claus late. Getting in late was a routine even though we were usually on the trail by 6:30 AM. Crew leader was up at 4:40 AM most mornings. Ate lunch under Highway 64 in the tunnel. Short rain as we climbed Bear Canyon kept the sun off of us.
Day 7 - Baldy Town - Good early start made Head of Dean in time for early Cons project!!!! Got to kill some living trees in a project aimed at tree stand improvement. 40 to 60 Ponderosa pine per acre is ideal. 400 to 500 is all right. Since there has been a lack of fires, Philmont has 2000 to 3000 on some acres. It was fun!!! Then we lunched and did a short version of Challenge games in afternoon before departing for Baldy Town. This crew got everyone over the wall, my 97 crew did not get the last one up! Got into Baldy after 5PM but they opened the commissary for us. We used two of the new campsites. Site 2 part way down hill for food and bear stuff, site 3 at bottom for tents.
Day 8 - Pueblano - Side hike of Baldy in AM. Started at 6:30 was about 11 when we got back. GREAT DAY!! Our third time trekker said it was clearest of all three of his treks at Baldy. This was the only place he really took pictures so it must have been!!! Luckily the Scouts came to their senses and did not do it with packs as they were planning. They wanted to go from top to French Henry to Pueblano, Cindiana (Cindy from Fort Wayne, Indiana) on staff convinced them it would be faster to go up and down and then over. Lost Mike, a scout, to sprained ankle he had been nursing for two days. "First available transport" took him to Health Lodge this morning. An Advisor and a Scout did not go up Baldy but stayed in camp. They had a dinner ready for lunch for us when we returned. Because of time (almost noon) skipped French Henry so missed blacksmithing again!! Had three hours of rain on way to Pueblano. Along the part with all the stream crossings. It was hard to tell the difference between the trail and the stream in places. Again, late at Pueblano. Cold supper (lunch). Kids a little down. My white undies were pink from red shirt and rain. I was the only one of the crew at campfire. Everyone else went to bed. Great show!!! One Advisor hurt his knee (It was really swollen) sliding on a slope in rain & mud. One Scout said his foot was in pain. (Medical center confirmed Scout was hurt more than showed)
Day 9 - Old Camp via Ponil - Day dawns bright. Everyone (just about) rejuvenated by sleeping in until 6:30 AM. Did spar poles at 8 AM. All who tried made it - 8 of 11 (me included!! I was spurred on past my fear of heights by remembering my daughter did this here and succeeded while on a Mountain Trek while I was Philmont Training Center last summer. Couldn't let her beat me!!!). Crew was a little depressed with Mike still at base camp and two members on the porch awaiting "First available transport." Which showed up at 5:00 PM!!! Nice quick paced hike to Ponil. Lunch on commissary porch. Root Beer in Cantina (No candy for sale in back country as bear precaution) Storm clouds moving in - jackets on as we ascend trail to Hart Peak. No rain comes today. Jackets off we walk on, impressed with views of Baldy that show how far we have walked since then. Trail is another not often used at Philmont. I guess most people take the 4WD road. Trail was overgrown in many parts. Crew spirits are high as we are making good time but subdued as we are down three people. They are really missed. There is a second day crew in Old Camp when we arrive. Our guys are ready to show off (and do) We are amazed their ranger is brushing her teeth at 6:30 PM when we arrive!!! Crew looks for your site #1, we go there and they tell me NO!!! Too slopey(?). We go over down the road to bear bag line and take the site in the field just across the stream from woods where bear bag line is located. Beautiful night. Clear level field. Lots of stargazing for me and the other advisor. Boys are in bed, sleeping or talking. They know they have done it!!!!!
Day 10 - Indian Writings - Morning is COLD!!!! No sun. We watch the sun as it comes down the side of the hill. I go on a "geological expedition" (our euphemism for looking for a rock to go on) towards the hill and the boys figure I am walking to the sun to walk back with it as it crosses the canyon floor. They join me and we do that. Crew is on the road quickly and we are in Indian Writings by 9:30 AM. No one knows how to relax, We haven't had an easy day since Beaubien when we missed Cons project!!!. We sing our theme song, "The Lumberjack Song" from Monty Python as we approach the staff cabin and get their best site. Kim is on days off. Site 4, I think. Private bear cable, stream, trees, level, red roof just a short way across the road. What more could you want. A call to medical says all three will be back for the last day. The remaining 8 of the crew are all excited. However, only Mike arrives. Knee still hurts and foot is still tender. We finish camp set up and lunch just barely in time for 1PM tour of petroglyphs. Boy are we relaxed, 9:30 to 1:00 PM to set up!!!! Tour is good but a second day crew from South Florida is really a pain. We all decide only wimps would take a shower the last day - who wants to go into base camp clean. Two other of the seven crews in our council contingent are with us tonight. They both shower. There will be four crews from Southern NJ Council at Six mile Gate tomorrow!!
Day 11 - Six Mile Gate - We are second of four SNJC Crews at the gate. About half of our crew walks back to T Rex footprint. Bus arrives shortly after ten and we are whisked off to base camp - successful!!!!!
Day 12 - After three hours on the bus to Colorado Springs, 2 hours to St. Louis, 1 hour layover and 2 more hours to Philadelphia, we are all groggy. But Scouts break into a round of cheers when we touch down in Philadelphia. Continuously cheering reception by 74 families as we exit plane is overwhelming. Makes you feel great especially when you are the contingent leader.
Thanks for kicking me to get this written. I will embellish it with time. And add some more thoughts and feelings both for crew and contingent. It was funny, I was contingent leader and our crew was the only one that met all six other crews on the trail.
Crew 1 - Day 2 @ Crater Lake, Day 7 doing Cons @ Head of Dean, Day 10 & 11 @ Indian Writings
Crew 2 - Day 1 @ Lover's Leap, Day 11 @ 6 Mile Gate
Crew 3 - Day 4 @ Lambert's Mine
Crew 4 - Day 7 @ Head of Dean, they are staying there that night
Crew 5 - Day 10 & 11 @ Indian Writings
Crew 6 - You just read all about this one!!!!
Crew 7 - Day 7 @ Head of Dean, they show for afternoon Cons as we are readying to leave.Besides this - we met two crews whose Advisors had spoken with me during the winter and spring as we helped each other get ready - A troop crew from Medford in Burlington County Council. A multi unit completely Kosher Jewish crew from Northern NJ Council (and a few more) Their advisor had his name in Scouting as one of the QMs for the religious centered Wood Badge (always TWO words. I used to be a Bob White (NE-IV-65)) course. He, also, has been the field editor for the last several editions of the NY-NJ Appalachian Trail Guidebook. Great guy that I met at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco on the Delaware Water Gap a few years ago.
The scouts in my group were amazed when we met these two and they asked for me by name!!!!
All for now!
Dave Lyons