Philmont Cavalcade Itineraries 2007

I received our Cavalcade PACKS book earlier this week while I was out of town (naturally). I sent off our trek selection card yesterday.

For future reference, there are 20 treks to chose from, ten in the north and ten in the south. Cavalcade crews are asked to select their preference for a north or south trek with the first deposit. So we've known for a year that we would be in the north. So that reduces your choices to ten treks. In truth only five as each trek is a pair with one going clockwise and the other counter-clockwise. All the northern treks start and end at Ponil. There are two Cavalcade treks that leave the same day in the north, so we are only competing with one other crew for preferences. (So crew 803-CY, we'll see you at Ponil!)

Here's the info I sent to my crew to get input on their preferences:

All treks Days 1,2, & 8 are identical. So only the days 3 - 7 present changes for choosing. Here are brief descriptions of each.

Ponil to Dan Beard (5.6 miles)

This is a medium long ride up Horse Canyon and along Ridge Trail. Dan Beard borders the Valle Vidal Unit of Carson National Forest and offers a challenge course and no trace camping.

Dan Beard to Pueblano (7.9 miles)

This is a long ride down Bonita Canyon and over Wilson Mesa on the Barker Wildlife Area. Pueblano offers spar pole climbing and lumberjack skills.

Pueblano to Baldy (5.4 Miles)

This ride is fairly easy and can follow several routes. Baldy Camp sites on the site of an abandoned mining town and the mill site, and is the usual starting point for a hike to the top of 12, Baldy Mountain.

Baldy to head of Dean (7.7 miles)

This is a medium ride which can pass through Miranda for the Mountain Man Rendezvous program. Head of Dean offers the Dean Challenge course.

Head of Dean to Ponil (7.1 Miles)

This is a spectacular rise along Dean Skyline.

Ponil to Pueblano (5.0 Miles)

This is an easy ride up the South Ponil Canyon. Pueblano offers spar pole climbing and lumberjack skills.

Baldy to Miranda (2.4 Miles)

This is an easy ride down the Ute Creak valley. Miranda offers Mountain Man Rendezvous.

Miranda to Head of Dean (4.3 Miles)

This is an easy ride with a spectacular view from the Baldy Skyline. Head of Dean offers the Dean Challenge Course.

Dan Beard to Indian Writings (8.5 Miles)

This is a fairly long ride either along Ridge Trail or down Cook Canyon to the North Ponil Canyon. Indian Writings offers very interesting archaeological sites and petroglyphs of the Anasazi Indians.

Indian Writings to Dean Cow (7.4 Miles)

This is a long ride down the North Ponil and over Chandler Pass. Dean Cow offers rock climbing and environmental awareness.

Dean Cow to Ponil (6.2 Miles)

This is a medium ride over Chandler Pass and up the Middle Ponil Canyon.

Dean Cow to Head of Dean (7.6 Miles)

This is a long ride up the entire length of Dean Canyon. Head of Dean offers the Dean Challenge course.

Miranda to Pueblano (3.6 Miles)

This is an easy ride over the Baldy Skyline. Pueblano offers spar pole climbing and lumberjack skills.

Treks 1 & 2 (both A & B)

Lay over at Baldy allows for hike over Baldy Mountain and a visit to French Henry where you can pan for gold.

Trek 3 & 5

Lay over at Miranda allows for hike over Baldy Mountain.

Trek 4

Lay over at Indian Writings allows for side hike to Hart Peak

Each Cavalcade crew is at Philmont for eight nights. Each southern crew spends the first, second and eighth nights at Philmont's Base Camp. Each southern Itinerary begins and ends at Cattle Headquarters (H.Q.) near Philmont's Base Camp. There are ten southern itineraries.

Comment: The trip from Clark's Fork to Beaubien is 18 miles and known as the "Oh, my aching legs & butt" trip. :-)

YiS,
--
Calvin H. Gray
Scoutmaster, Troop 405
Associate Advisor, Venturing Crew 405
Georgetown, Texas
I used to be an Owl (WM-62-2-98 @ Philmont)
http://www.troop405.org/

• Selden's Philmont,
• High Adventure and
• Scouting Web Pages

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