2020 itineraries

I went last year and would say with about 95% certainty that is the reason, no real safe path from one to the other or the erosion risks are too high etc etc.

Yes, the Ute Park fire cut West to East through the actual BSA-owned land (the burro shape).

In July 2019, we were told (by more than one level of the staff) that the fire area would be flat out closed to treks for at least three seasons. After that, depending on plant growth and work completed, parts might be passable. Detours into the neighboring properties might also be planned out, but that takes time.

Of course, they didn’t say when the season count started.

2019 treks were either north country or south country.  They were doing work last summer to try to find a safe path between the two.  I had not heard that it would be three seasons before they would allow people through.  We rode the bus through a portion of the burn area.  There are standing dead trunks with little vegetation in some areas.  I can see how it could get dangerous, depending on the conditions.

When we went last summer, they told us it would be 7-10 years before they would be using the fire areas.

Just north or south treks.  Not both.

Our troop got its first choice of treks, #26. We are sending 14 Scouts and 8 adults as two sister crews.

We asked the Scouts if they wanted to bag Baldy or hike back in from the Tooth and they chose to spend the climax of their experience at Tooth Ridge camp and walk back in through the “Welcome Back-You Made It” sign. Our troop has done that 11 times in the past 26 years, though before the fire we did Baldy and the Tooth each time.

They do their fourth and last 2-night / 3-day / 15+ miles training shakedown in March. On this trip they will form into separate crews and select Crew Leaders.

This is the first time for all but one adult so we have spent a lot of time training on Philmont’s techniques, cooking & clean-up, bear bagging, personal smellables, navigating, etc.

“Philmont should be enjoyed, not endured.” Moonshine