T-131 Philmont Update #1 – 7/28/2026
Philmont Scout Parents
Just a quick update.
First all the scouts who traveled today successfully made it to Philmont Training Center without incident. We checked in and got set up in our very nice camp tents. They are rather large, on platforms and have power!
We walked the 1/2 mile over to the main camp, got the lay-of the land and even went to the Tooth of Time Traders and some of the scouts bought some swag (aka belts and buckles). My superstitious nature would not allow me to get mine until after I complete the trek!
After exploring base camp- we walked back to the training center, had dinner and are now relaxing before a cobbler dessert party at 8:00.
Tomorrow (Thursday)we are up early for breakfast, a medical check and then off for a service project at 10:00.
In the afternoon we hope to visit the historic Villa Philmonte and maybe the Scouting Museum.
Friday we will do a 8-mile hike from camp in the morning and then after lunch we will likely venture out to the nearby town of Cimarron.
We will stay at the training center until Saturday Morning when we transfer over to the main camp for one night and make final preparations for the Trek on Sunday.
After that we will likely not be able to provide any updates until we return to camp on Friday.
So far so good!
-MR
T-131 Philmont Update #2 – 7/31/2026
Philmont Scout Parents
We had a restless first night as we adjusted to the jet lag, the dry heat and acclimated to the altitude. Mr. Farmer and I had a nighttime visitor from a raccoon who found a bag of over-the-counter medication and pulled it outside before we woke up enough to scare it off. As it ran off with a bottle of antacid (clearly it had an upset stomach)- I saw it raise its left paw up to me in defiance! We have already seen lots of other animals, turkeys, antelopes, long horn deer, but thankfully no bears yet!
Despite the nighttime drama we had a good second day of acclimation, that started with a breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, biscuits & gravy and various other cereals and breads. The adults (now known as the “11-year-olds”) scored some coffee so we were in good spirits. We made a packed lunch of sandwiches or wraps plus a healthy amount of chips, cookies and other snacks since we would be out at a service project most of the day.
We all successfully passed our health recheck (weight, blood pressure, etc.) – of course the medical staff completely ignored the scouts and rightfully focused on the adults!
Following the health check, we boarded a bus and participated in a four-hour service project – stream restoration – building dams to help slow down and trap storm run-off. Yesterday was a hot day so we were a little tired when we returned but were able to take a tour of the nearby Villa Philmonte.
Dinner included rice, vegetables and teriyaki chicken plus a welcome assortment of calories including a healthy amount of soda and cake.
The scouts took showers last night and played cards while watching the lighting and thunderstorms in the distance and on the prairie.
This morning we got up early for a training hike to Lover leaps. It was just under 10 miles with about 800’ of vertical gain. I am happy to report that the scouts (and the 11-year-olds) looked good. We might actually survive the trek!
Most of us are relaxing this afternoon, however a few took a bus to go shooting, while others are shopping for belts and buckles at the Tooth of Time Trading Post.
I have been asked to stop taking photos of buildings and focus more on the people so included a few in this email but posted more to Facebook!
The crews are working independently so most of my photos are of crew two – known as the older crew because the adults are all over 50!
We are off early to the main camp tomorrow for training and before we start the trek on Sunday.
-MR
T-131 Philmont Update #3 – 8/1/2026
Philmont Scout Parents
This will likely be the last email update for a little bit as we start the trek early tomorrow.
Last night’s dinner consisted of hamburgers and hot dogs/bratwurst and after a full day of activities our appetites were up and most of us had one of each!
We were up early today at 6:00 and went to breakfast right at 6:30 as the dining hall opened. Afterward we packed up, checked out at 7:45 and made the 1/2-mile walk (with our full packs) over to the main Philmont camp welcome center. It was kind of cool to walk in on the Santa Fe trail while most other troops drove in. Once there we checked in, had a short orientation table talk and the met our 20-year-old Ranger (his name is Frazee – no joke or misspelling)- who actually had his birthday today.
He is a good guy, very chill and the scouts seem to like him. He was our guide today through camp and will be with us for two days on the trail. I only met Ranger for Crew 1 but he seems very cool as well.
Throughout the day our Rangers led us through the camp and to a number of different stations, including registration, trail planning, crew photo, personal gear check, troop gear pick up and food pick up.
We shared lunch and dinner with 17 other crew members at the dining hall, which was more crowded than at the training center, however the food was decent and plentiful. Lunch included a Salisbury steak which reminded the adults of the hungry man TV dinners from our youth. It is clear that they are trying to fatten us up before we head out.
While it has been very dry out here, we were treated to a couple of brief rainstorms in the afternoon that cooled the air temperature – although the ground showed almost no sign of the water afterward.
The training took most of the day but a few of us were able to get a quick visit to the National Scouting Museum- a must-see stop.
This evening we had three leaders’ meetings – one for the adults – where we promised to let the scouts lead and not get in the way – a Second for the Chaplains Aide – and a Third for our Wilderness Guia’s.
We finished the evening with a “campfire” (no actual fire due to how dry everything is) that was a musical history of the area in song and spoken word. The staff and rangers did an excellent job as it was lively and entertaining.
We finished the evening with a session of roses, buds and thorns led by our ranger and Chaplains Aid. All scouts are well, in good spirits and anxious to get on the trail.
We are up early tomorrow (5:00 am) so that we can finish our food/gear packing, have breakfast and then off to the buses for drop off.
I will try to post again if I can – but if you don’t hear from us- no news is good news – wish us luck.
-MR
T-131 Philmont Update #4 – 8/7/2026
All,
Just a quick update, both crews arrived safely at Philmont Base camp this afternoon. All scouts and adults are well- albeit more than a little tired. It was challenging but a good experience.
We are in the midst of cleaning and returning the Philmont gear. Once we get into our tents for the evening, shower, and eat I will send out a longer update. Stay tuned!
Thanks
-MR
T-131 Philmont Update #5 (final) – 8/7/2026
We just finished the closing campfire and the scouts are getting ready for bed and traveling home tomorrow.
I provide below a log of the activities over the last week and while on the trek. At times it was challenging but overall I think it was a great experience. Thank you to the other advisors who came and endured the strenuous hiking!
Day 2 – Rayado Ranch, Kit Carson Museum, and Camp Olympia
We started the day early with the bus dropping us off at Rayado Ranch. We had another two hours of training then toured the Kit Carson museum. We saw a period recreation of a local ranch and a presentation by a blacksmith.
After the ranch, we put our packs on and started the first leg of the trek. There was additional Ranger training in the hike, several river crossings and 15 min discussion about poop at one of Philmont’s red roof latrines! It was hot but there were horses around to make the hike interesting and we learned how to purify drinking water from the local streams. We had some trouble finding our campsite but after an hour and several back tracks (crew 2) – we settled into our site at the Camp Olympia plateau. We learned about the “bearmuda triangle” – how to hang bear bags and use the sump to dispose of smellable foods.
Day 3 – Abreu, Crater Lake
We started the day early at 5:30, packed up and started the next leg. We passed through Abreu Homestead, learned about their history and toured a reproduction of their house. We chased chickens and goats. One goat took a liking to Mr. Norris – licked him first and then gave him a little nibble on the leg to show his love. Most of the scouts hit the cantina (bought a root beer) then we began the tough upward hike to Crater Lake.
Once we arrived at Crater Lake, we set up camp and immediately started dinner. It was a beautiful camp site- although the small pond (lake) was very dry due to the drought conditions. Crew 1 got there early enough to participate in the spar pole climbing. The theme of the camp was based on the logging history in the region and the staff put on an amazing nighttime musical show. Gabe (now called Murphy the deer – due to his character in the skit) as well as Jonathan and Sam helped participate in one of the funnier bits.
Day 4 – Beaubien
The next day, the Ranger finished our training, presented a gift of pound cake and cherry syrup and then left us to continue the trek without him. Crew 1 was up early again as they wanted to climb the extra 1000’ to the B24 wing.
Crew 2 at the urging of the 11-year-olds- elected to skip this trail and have a more leisurely hike into Beaubien which included encountering a herd of cattle and a very animate momma cow who did not like us on “her” trail.
The theme for Beaubien was a group of cowboys taking cattle from Texas to Denver and passing through. We encountered the most aggressive Mini bears (chipmunks) we have ever seen. While we were getting our “porch talk” about the activities at camp, a group descended on our pack line and despite the efforts of Mr. Farmer one was able to steal the “yum yum” bag from Owen’s pack. Some of the scouts got their crocs and leather belts branded and all got to see the horses and cattle around.
Crew 2 arrived a little later and started setting up their campsite before the impending “thunderstorm”.
Midafternoon, two scouts and two adults from each crew set off on the 3.6 mile round trip hike to the nearby Philips Junction to pick up food for the second half of the journey. Crew 2 left earlier and arrived at Philips Junction just before the thunderstorm, which proceeded to dump a substantial amount of hail on us (see photo below). Crew 1 got caught out and had to make fast completion into the junction.
Both crews made it back to Beaubien with 75 pounds of food and in time for an excellent chuck wagon dinner of chili and cornbread prepared by the staff. A formal request has been made for a special “hike of hail” woggle that is currently under deliberation by the National Association of “Wogglemakers of America” (NAWA) for certification. I will let you know the results at the September Troop Court of Honor!
However, the big attraction at Beaubien was the showers. We only got half hour late afternoon slots for each crew. What can I say- they were glorious and refreshing.
We finished the evening with another amazing night-time musical that included a second appearance of Murphy the deer. In addition, we were treated to an after-show of additional songs from the staff to finish the evening.
The hailstorm dropped the temperature considerably and we needed to break out the Cold-weather gear.
Day 5 – Black Mountain
Since we did our required service hours before the trek – both crews elected to sleep in a bit and start the hike to Black Mountain. A post-civil war squatters camp was the theme for the stop and is nestled at the head of a small but very beautiful valley. Both crews had a gorgeous campsite next to a stream, so purifying and refilling our water supply was easy.
The camp had some extreme privy’s including one called Zeus’ Throne – which was about 75’ up from the stream and according to the scouts had a stunning view.
We all loved this camp which included an evening game of “Mountain ball” run by the staff that was a combination of baseball, golf, football and a courtroom drama!
Day 6 – Shaeffer’s Pass
We were up early again and broke camp in record time! The trail followed the stream from black mountain, and we encountered a ton of interesting stream crossings as the trail
Meandered back and forth.
We stopped at the intersection for the trail that would take us up to the Schaefer’s Pass Camp. This new camp does not have a water source, so we elected to have our dinner (Mac and cheese) for lunch since it is a more water intensive activity. After a leisurely 2-hour lunch and clean-up we filled our water bottles and extra capacity since this was our last water stop until we arrived back at base camp.
The hike up to Schaefers was a bit tough since we were carrying extra water, but we were treated to an amazing mountain camp field – one of the best to date!
After dinner – Crew 2 elected to hike up to the nearby Schaefers peak (3 miles round trip) to watch the sun set. I did not go but they all said it was amazing. Crew 1 elected to get up early and hike up in the morning and watch the sun rise.!
Day 7 – Shaeffer’s Peak, Tooth of Time and back to camp.
For those that hiked Old Rag back home in Virginia, today was basically the same- it had all the same pieces but this time with 40-pound packs … a significant climb to begin the day, a rock scramble to a stunning overlook then a very long hike downhill – overall it was 10 miles length and 8 hours in duration! The 5,000 foot elevation drop coming back in camp had amazing views, however we could see the c as no in the distance and no matter how much we walked it never seemed to get closer.
The thing that struck me was the diversity of Biomes – we walk six hours and all of a sudden, we are in a different micro climate, with different fauna and geologic features.
The other thing that was consistent was the conversation by the scouts – amazing energy – the card games, trail talk and of course the trail names!
Finally, if your scout tears open a bag of chips or candy and says, “I believe in mountain fairies” – you should respond by saying loudly – “and they believe in you!”
Parents, if most of this log makes no sense … that is by design … ask your scouts … they will have good stories to tell.
See you all when we get back.
-MR
