| Day | Camp | Miles | Elev Gain | Elev Loss | Hiking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camping HeadquartersMeet your ranger, check in, logistics, medical check, food and gear check out. | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2 | Hellfire CanyonTrail camp Depart Chase Turnaround. Tour Chase Ranch. Ranger training. | 3.9 | 646 | 367 | 2:13 |
| 3 | CottonwoodTrail camp Road walk 3.5 miles to property border; follow fence over ridge for 2.5 mi; descend to Indian writings (water, showers). View ancient petroglyphs, learn about archaeolgy at Philmont, and throw an atlatl. Contine to camp. | 10.4 | 2,347 | 1,767 | 5:59 |
| 4 | Seally CanyonStaff camp Pass Metcalf Station (new in 2014; railroading) at about 3.5 miles. Search and rescue and wilderness medicine at Seally Canyon. The alternate route via Abran Canyon (shortly after passing Metcalf Station) is 13.6 miles and will take about 7:21, but offers the chance to go cross-country. | 12.9 | 2,172 | 1,542 | 6:52 |
| 5 | Whiteman VegaStaff camp One of your shortest trail days of the trek. Pick up food for the next 3 days at Ring Place about halfway to Whiteman Vega. At Whiteman Vega, ride mountain bikes and perform your conservation project: building new mountain bike trails. | 4.0 | 534 | 2511 | 2:04 |
| 6 | Greenwood CanyonTrail camp Follow your shortest day of the trek with the longest with hike through the beautiful McCrystal Creek North Meadow. Head north along the road from Whiteman Vega, then cross country up the ridge to near the Vermejo Park Ranch border and west to McCrystal Creek. Head south to near the windmill, then turn west and climb through Windy Gap. Finally, follow the road south to Greenwood Canyon camp. | 16.8 | 3,387 | 2,964 | 9:12 |
| 7 | Ewells ParkTrail camp Climb onto the north shoulder of Baldy Mountain to enjoy the view, then descend the switchbacks into Copper Park. Contine to French Henry for gold mining and panning and blacksmithing. Then set up camp with great views of Baldy Mountain from Ewells Park. | 12.8 | 4,169 | 3,270 | 8:07 |
| 8 | Ewells ParkTrail camp Leave your camp set up while you summit Baldy Mountain from the south (4.7 mi to the top, about 3:55), then return through Baldy Town to pick up 3 days of food. Spend some time in Baldy town talking to the geologists often on site. Showers available. | 9.4 | 3,759 | 3,759 | 6:20 |
| 9 | Santa ClausTrail camp Today starts the mostly downhill trend from the Baldy area back to base camp. Hike through Miranda (2 mile from Ewells Park) for black powder rifle shooting and tomahawk throwing. At the 4 mile point, pass through Head of Dean which has challenge events, then continue another 4 miles to a picturesque camp. | 10.3 | 1,523 | 2,468 | 5:07 |
| 10 | Deer Lake MesaTrail camp Descend through Bear Canyon to cross highway 64 and the Cimarron River, then climb back up to your camp on Deer Lake Mesa. You'll pass another conservation project between Cimarron River and Visto Grande camps: other crews will be building a new hiking trail and a new trail camp. | 10.3 | 2,299 | 2,413 | 6:01 |
| 11 | Clarks ForkStaff camp Head south through Ute Gulch to amke your last food pickup, then enjoy the hike thorugh Hidden Valley and past Window Rock. If you have time, stop at Waite Phillip's Hunting Lodge for a tour and take a moment for the view across Cimarroncito Reservoir from the Demonstation Forest. Participating in branding, roping, and western lore at Clarks Fork; eat a chuck wagon dinner and watch the cowboy campfire show. Showers available. | 9.5 | 11,991 | 2,782 | 5:15 |
| 12 | Camping HeadquartersClimb through Shaeffwrs Pass and on up to the base of Shaeffers Peak — then start your long descent into base camp. Along the way, summit the Tooth of Time for an iconic Philmont moment (the Tooth is at mile 6; it adds 0.5 mi and 0:28 to your day). You may choose to descend by the Pasture Trail (which has some steep sections) which is 2 miles about 45 min shorter. Awards campfire (after showers, laundry, and Tooth of Time Traders). | 6.2 | 631 | 1,339 | 2:59 |
Total for itineraryMinimum elevation: 6,669 (near Chase Ranch) | 112.6 | 26,014 | 26,857 | 63:03 |
