Philmont Trek 26 in 2003

Crew 717-G1 was led by Ed Sterling, taking Itinerary #26. This was a 60 mile hike, considered "strenuous", which goes in a clockwise loop around the southern part of Philmont.

July 15 and 16: we flew into Colorado Springs, and immediately took a cog railway trip up Pike's Peak. As we approached the summit, it began to hail so heavily it became 3 inches of "snow" on the ground. It was freezing at the top: 14,500 feet. The next day we went whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, passing through the Royal Gorge. We then visited Bent's old trading fort from the 1840s, and saw Indian dances performed by the Koshare "indian" scout troop.

July 17 - Arrived at Philmont, got checked in, last minute outfitting, opening campfire that evening.

July 18 - Departed for the trek after lunch, camped at Rayado River camp in the south country.

July 19 - Hiked to Urraca camp, challenge events (afternoon), Philmont campfire stories.

July 20 - Hiked to Miners Park camp, missed rock climbing due to rain, but did some wall climbing.

July 21 - Hiked to Black Mountain after 50 stream crossings, shot black powder rifles; blacksmithing.

July 22 - Hiked to Comanche Camp camp; flash flood and "snow hail" almost wiped us out that afternoon.

July 23 - Never made it to Comanche Peak camp; more "snow hail" on Mt. Phillips made things very difficult!

July 24 - Hiked to Sawmill camp; learned cartridge reloading, shot .30/06 rifles the next morning (fun!!).

July 25 - Hiked to Hunting Lodge after a LONG day! Toured Waite Phillip's hunting lodge.

July 26 - Hiked to Clarks Fork; cattle branding, western lore, horse rides, chuck wagon dinner.

July 27 - Hiked to Tooth Ridge camp; climbed the Tooth of Time; got up for the last sunrise, incredible!!!

July 28 - Hiked back to Philmont headquarters and tent city, singing on the way in!! Closing campfire.

July 29 - Departed very early for Colorado Springs and our flight home

STATS	Trek 26	PEAKS
Difficulty	Strenuous	Black Mountain	10892 Ft
Mileage	60	Mount Phillips	11739 Ft
Trail Camps	3	Tooth of Time	9003 Ft
Dry Camps	2	Trail Peak	10242 Ft
Trail Distance	55.54
Gain	50.39
Climbing Distance	7.45	START and FINISH
Descending Distance	7.47	Rayado River	First camp
Highest Elevation	11739	Tooth of Time	Last camp
CAMPS	DAY	Mileage	Miles/day	Activities
Tent City Headquarters	1	0		Arrive, Medical Check, Opening campfire
Rayado River	2	1.5	1.5	Draw gear, Final packup, Drop-off, Ranger Training
Urraca	3	4.5	3	Challenge Events, Philmont Campfire
Miners Park	4	11.5	7	Rock Climbing, Environmental Awareness
Black Mountain	5	17	5.5	Mountain Livin', Blacksmithing, Black Powder Shooting
Comanche Camp	6	26	9	Trail Camp, homesteading at Crooked Creek; Phillips Junc. Commissary
Comanche Peak Camp	7	33	7	Rocky Mountain Fur Compan, water at Clear Creek, hike Mt. Phillips
Saw Mill	8	36	3	.30/06 Rifle Shooting and reloading
Hunting Lodge	9	43	7	Tour the lodge; pickup food at Ute Gulch
Clarks Fork	10	45	2	Western Lore, Horse Rides, Chuck Wagon Dinner
Tooth Ridge	11	49	4	Trail Camp, dry camp
Tent City Headquarters	12	55.5	6.5	Return to base, clean up, depart

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