Philmont 2024
On Friday, July 19, nine scouts and three adults, also known as Philmont Crew 720-7C, embarked on a journey that would test their resilience, strength, and patience as they set out for a 7-day, 35-mile trek through Philmont Scout Ranch located in the mountains of New Mexico.
Days 1-2: The crew caravanned from Bloomington, IN to St. Louis, MO, where they boarded an Amtrak train bound for Kansas City, MO. Unfortunately, the trip took an unexpected turn when just a few miles shy of their final destination a 3-mile long freight train in front of them became uncoupled on the track, resulting in a delay that caused the crew’s passenger train to miss their connection in Kansas City. However, what could have been a disappointing setback turned into an unexpected opportunity for exploration! Amtrak generously arranged accommodations for the disappointed scouts at a nearby Marriott hotel, giving the crew a chance to visit the interactive and educational Science City at Union Station, as well as the historically captivating National WWI Museum and Memorial. The crew ended up spending that first day of their journey hiking 7 miles around the city, literally soaking in the history and the sites. Late Saturday evening, the scouts finally were able to board their train bound for New Mexico. Content that they were finally on their way, the whole crew quickly fell asleep in their seats.
Day 3: Sunday morning, the scouts awoke early, eager to greet the dry deserts, rolling plains, and rugged mountains of the New Mexican landscape. So imagine their surprise, when they looked out the windows and saw only the familiar expansive fields of wheat and corn of the Midwest! In astonishment, the crew checked their GPS and learned that they were barely 20 miles outside of Kansas due to another mechanical delay! Once again, the scouts made the best of the situation, sharing snacks and playing games on the train to pass the time. Eventually, the train got rolling and late Sunday night the crew finally arrived at the train station in New Mexico where they boarded a bus that took them to base camp at the Philmont Scout Reservation.
Day 4: On the morning of Monday, July 22, the crew was finally able to begin their trek following Itinerary 7-9, a rugged 35 mile trek thats highlights include Tooth of Time (elevation 9,003 ft.), Shaefer’s Peak (elevation 9,413 ft), and the Rayado River. The crew started the morning by enjoying a beautiful New Mexican sunrise, then hiked 6.4 miles from camp headquarters to Clark’s Fork where they met up with their Ranger, Jonathan, who guided them through Philmont’s essential trail skills, including bear bag rigging and outdoor sanitation.
Day 5: On Tuesday, July 23, the crew pushed through an impressive 10-mile hike to Shaefer’s Pass, where they ended their day enjoying a breathtaking view of the sunset from the summit of Shaefer’s Peak before hitting their tents for a much deserved good night's sleep.
Day 6: Wednesday, July 24 brought a shorter hike of only 3.3 miles to Miner’s Park, as the scouts had to conserve their energy for the day’s activities, because this was the day that the crew participated in a new trail construction service project at North Fork Urraca. Ascending from the bottom of North Fork Urraca Canyon, this new trail will eventually find its way to the Stockade Ridge Camp, providing unique views of the ridge and Tooth of Time. It will also provide access to new camping and a natural spring along the hillside.
After completing their portion of the service project, the crew spent the rest of the day rock climbing and rappelling down the mountainside before returning to Miner’s Park where they got to meet Kyle (aka Leo) a Philmont staff member with a unique and enthusiastic way of replenishing supplies! The crew might have missed the first few rounds of food chucked out the cabin window at them, but by the end of the replenishment session, they had gotten quite skilled at catching the food as it came flying their direction!
Day 7: On Thursday, July 25, the crew hiked 7.8 miles to Abreu where they got to experience an authentic New Mexican homestead. The visit began with a tour of the historic house owned by the Phillip’s family, who once lived on and worked the land now called Philmont (Phillip’s Mountain). Highlights of the tour included David playing the family’s antique grand piano and Preston testing out the vintage plumbing of the house’s indoor bathroom! Then the crew had the opportunity to interact with several ranch animals, including goats, donkeys, and pigs. But hands down, the crew’s favorite animals were the chickens, as evident by the many pictures of scouts wearing chickens on their heads! After washing their hands, the scouts headed over to the cantina where they enjoyed cold backcountry root beer. Which everyone agreed was the best tasting root beer they’d ever had! Finally, they ended their visit with a delicious authentic Mexican feast before heading back to camp.
Day 8: On Friday, July 26, the crew hiked the final leg of their trek, a 2.9-mile hike back to the Zastrow Trailhead, where they loaded up on a bus and headed back to base camp. While at base camp, they had the opportunity to visit the National Scouting Museum to learn more about the history of scouting, Tooth of Time Traders to buy souvenirs to honor and commemorate their experience, and to participate in the Philmont closing campfire to mark the end of their challenging and rewarding adventure.
Days 9-10: Saturday, July 27, the crew took a bus back to the Amtrak station and boarded the train back to Kansas City. At this point, it should come as no surprise that they experienced another train delay! But this time, the scouts decided to forgo the waiting game and decided to take a Greyhound bus from Kansas City to St. Louis, where they picked up their cars and caravanned back to Bloomington. The crew finally arrived home Sunday afternoon tired, smelly, and eager to tell their families all of the tales of their unforgettable adventure!