2005 Philmont Crew 714-L1 On Trek 32
This is the "super strenuous" trek of 80+ miles

July 12 and 13: we flew into Colorado Springs, and after waiting over 3 hours for our buses to show up, we raced over to take a cog railway trip up Pike's Peak on the 4PM train, with a very late box lunch. It turned out to be beautiful and warm on the summit of 14,500 feet! The air was so thin, almost everyone felt like they were on drugs, walking around real slow and feeling dizzy. The scenery was fantastic. Dinner was at Country Buffet in Colorado Springs. That night we slept in the gym of the Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City, CO. The next morning we donned bathing suits and T-shirts, had breakfast at the Abbey cafeteria (tasty!!!) and immediately went to Echo Canyon Whitewater Rafting, about 8 miles outside of town, arriving at 8AM. We all went whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, passing through the Royal Gorge. Everyone agreed it was the best trip in several years, and the new company was great to deal with.  After lunch, we had a one hour bus ride west to Pueblo, CO for our last Country Buffet lunch. Then another one hour bus ride southeast to La Junta, CO to visit Bent's old trading fort from the 1840s. We traveled back into town for an early dinner at Otero Junior College in La Junta, and we unloaded our bags at the Koshare Indian Museum attached to the college. There was a self-guided museum tour, and at 7:30PM there was a performance of the Koshare Indian dancers in the great "Kiva" or round hall. After the performance, around 9:15, we all scrambled to find a place to sleep on the stage or auditorium. The next morning we had breakfast at the cafeteria again, and we then had a 3 hour bus ride south to Cimarron, NM and arrived at Philmont around 11AM. .

July 14 - Arrived at Philmont, around 11AM. Got checked in, photos taken, bunked at Tent City, had opening campfire that evening.

July 15 - Departed for the trek in the afternoon at 1PM,  bus dropped us off at Six Mile Gate, and headed out to ANASAZI for basic training by our Ranger Dave Prater. Hot afternoon, but a storm broke just as we set up camp.

July 16 - Petroglyph tour at INDIAN WRITINGS, did conservation project 11AM-2PM, helping to reseed a burned hillside. Then we hiked to COTTONWOOD trail camp, and we saw the world's only T-Rex track on the way.

July 17 - Climbed Harts Peak, 7978 feet, and hiked into PONIL – Philmont’s original headquarters. Had a chuck-wagon dinner and then enjoyed the Cantina show at 8PM. Adult advisors made pancake breakfast in the morning for everyone.

July 18 - Got our Burro, old #77, hiked to PUEBLANO – did pole climbing, camped at PUEBLANO RUINS that evening.

July 19 - Took the burro over to MIRANDA and said good-bye, then did black powder rifle shooting (at our hats and shirts!!)

July 20 - Remained at MIRANDA – hiked up 12,400 foot Mt. Baldy, hiked to French Henry for gold panning and mining, food pickup at 5PM

July 21 - Leaving MIRANDA, we saw a large herd of mule deer in the meadow that morning. Hiked to HEAD OF DEAN in the morning, did challenge events. After lunch, we hiked "the burn" down to SANTA CLAUS trail camp. Nice sunny day, beautiful weather, nice open camp.

July 22 - Hiked down Bear Canyon and crossed Highway 64 and the Cimarron River, hot lunch at Visto Grande, camped at UPPER BENCH

July 23 - Hiked through Deer Lake Camp into HARLAN, did 12 Gauge Shotgun reloading and trap shooting, burro racing that evening at 7PM

July 24 - Hiked to Ute Gulch for food, then climbed the boulders in Aspen Springs. Then on to Cimaroncito for rock climbing, water was so awful they told us not to drink it (sulfur). Short hike to Hunting Lodge and took the tour, finally on to Clarks Fork for chuck wagon dinner, and we camped half way up Shaeffer's Peak at PONDEROSA PARK                       

July 25 - Hiked up Shaeffer's Pass, down Tooth of Time ridge, climbed The Tooth, and headed back to Philmont headquarters and tent city, arriving at 11AM. Turned in equipment, sampled the local food in Cimarrron in the afternoon. Very moving closing campfire.

July 26 - Early breakfast at 5:45, departed 6:15 for Colorado Springs and our flight home at 11:30AM. Arrived home at 10:30PM!!!

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