Philmont Trek Alternatives?

[rockchalker]

Although we moved to Woodland Park in January we still had plans to go to Philmont Scout Ranch with our Boy Scout troop from Texas the first two weeks of July. As a result of the fires in northern New Mexico all Philmont treks through mid-July have been cancelled.

We are now looking at possible CO alternatives and, having been to Chicago Basin for 14er climbing, thought that the scouts might really enjoy that entire experience. They are not ready for those 14er's but the train ride, the hike up, a few days camping in the basin and some of the beautiful day hikes might make for a great alternative to Philmont. We had three crews (12 scouts and 9 adults) scheduled to go to Philmont and I assume maybe half of those would be up for an alternative. My previous trip to CB was in early September, not sure how crowded it would be in early July.

Any thoughts or other ideas?

[turbocat]

If the goal is stay withing 4-6 hours driving of CS...Weminuche Wilderness. Plenty of great week long options. Last year I did 30 mile campground (Rio Grande Reservoir) to Elk Park (D&S) via CDT and Colorado Trail. There are so many options/variations, especially if you have multiple vehicles for shuttling. Vallecito, Pine Creek, NoName, Ute creek, West Ute Creek and Ten Mile. Been to Philmont (Eagle '88) when I was 15. It is cool...but the Weminuche is way more adventure.

Realize that there is a lot of beetle kill in the Weminuche/San Juans right now and fire danger is high, and it is crazy dry...driest this time of year that I have seen it in the 20 years that I've lived here. Pretty much all southern CO and northern NM will be a tinderbox all summer. Fires are already starting in the San Juans.

Option #2, I'd be eyeballing the Wind River Range of WY. Go in from Pinedale or Lander.

Both areas do not disappoint for backpacking and many peaks are optional as side day trips. Plenty of great fishing as well.

[Silence_Dogood]

Sorry to hear that your Scouts got caught up in the fire delays. What trek (i.e. daily mileage) were you scheduled for at Philmont, and does your crew consist of younger Scouts (14-15), older ones (16-17), or a mixture? Since Philmont consists primarily of trail hiking, my first thought would be to utilize segments of the Colorado Trail through the San Juans.

[rockchalker]

We were scheduled for Itinerary #14, a total of 66 miles over 10 days. Our scouts range in age from 14-16. Other than my son and I, the rest of them will be driving up from the Houston area so staying close to the CO Springs area is not that important. The CO trail might be a good option but not sure about the logistics other than doing some type of out and back hike.

[RonfarZ3]

If you wanted to add some more miles to a potential Chicago Basin trip to get closer to the original 66, you could hike in from Purgatory instead of taking the train. I know that defeats some of the romance of riding the train, but the logistics become immensely easier as you're not tied to the train schedule (would need to carry a bit more food, though). I haven't taken the Purgatory route myself (I'd like to, though), but a basic and cursory search of the trip reports shows that others have shared their experiences about it.

[Trotter]

We were scheduled for Itinerary #14, a total of 66 miles over 10 days. Our scouts range in age from 14-16. Other than my son and I, the rest of them will be driving up from the Houston area so staying close to the CO Springs area is not that important. The CO trail might be a good option but not sure about the logistics other than doing some type of out and back hike.

The CO trail has a bunch of thru hikers, that stop in towns along the way to resupply.
https://pmags.com/colorado-trail-end-to ... do%20Trail

This will actually be similar to what you'd be doing in Philmont. When I did it many years ago, you'd hike about 6-8 miles a day, and get resupplies of food every 3rd day or so.

[highpilgrim]

I know that defeats some of the romance of riding the train,

Ride the train, hike upriver to the Noname drainage, up the drainage and then over Twin Thumbs into Chicago from the backside. Hike back to the train. A fantastic scenic loop with train ride bookends.

I haven't connected via Twin Thumbs but many others have. I have been to Ruby Pass and that was manageable.

There are trip reports describing the hike over Twin Thumbs. Image was from in early July.

twin tumbs.jpg

[San Juan Ron]

See my thread on the Smoke in the San Juan’s. There are several fires already in SW CO and another 4-6 weeks before the monsoons arrive. Stage II fire restrictions in the San Juan Forest and it’s going to get worse before it gets better. The train won’t even be running for some time due to the fire north of Durango which they are projecting to burn into July. Ron

[rockchalker]

Thanks for the heads up. I saw where the Durango/Silverton train is shut down until at least June 10.

[justiner]

Twin Thumbs Pass is not where I would suggest bringing a boy scout troop up. It's Class Mountain Goat from the Ruby side.

[turbocat]

Based on the age-skill levels listed, I would not suggest NoName Basin or Twin Thumbs. There are some real good loops starting down near Rio Grande Reservoir. In on Weminuche Trail or Squaw Pass and wander out Ute Trail or West Ute with a few options for turns and other loops intertwined, some sections of CDT and Colorado Trail. Vallecito TH may work, there would be a bit of out/back on the South end, but you heading North there are lots of options up Pine Creek or the other aforementioned trails connect from Rio Grande Reservoir.

[highpilgrim]

Twin Thumbs Pass is not where I would suggest bringing a boy scout troop up.

Based on the age-skill levels listed, I would not suggest NoName Basin or Twin Thumbs.

Fair enough on both comments; I wasn't paying attention to the age and skill level point.

Thanks for the corrections.