Anyone Camp Near Garden of the Gods Before Philmont?

[Brad P]

We’re arriving 1 day early and I’m planning on flying into Colorado Springs.  I don’t think we’ll have time to do anything at the AF Academy.  An adult in our troop suggested camping at Garden of the Gods and then drive to Philmont the next day rather than stay an extra day at Philmont base camp.

I like this idea to see something different and to have a nice meal before 11 days of backpacking meals.

Anyone do this or have a similar suggestion? We won’t have a lot of time, just an afternoon and evening.  I plan to rent a 12 passenger van at the airport.

[bjc]

I know there’s an RV park near the garden, not sure it has tent sites. It’s also really in the city. I can’t imagine it being very pleasant or quiet. Can’t think of anything else close.

[David Y]

We haven’t flown into Colorado Springs; it has been cheaper to fly into Denver and rent vans to Philmont. But we do overnight in Colorado Springs every trip. We stay in motels with showers, porcelain toilets and a free breakfast, we’ll be spending enough nights sleeping on the ground.

We have enough time after our flight and the drive down (the day before Philmont) to tour the AF Academy and Garden of the Gods or ride the Cog Rail up Pikes Peak and eat supper at the Flying W Ranch chuck wagon dinner and show. It was destroyed by forest fire in 2012 it was supposed to reopen last year.

This may be a once in a life time adventure for many. Make the best of it.

We get up and out very early to drive to Philmont because there is a full day of checking-in and med recheck. If you complete check-in the first day then your Ranger can schedule an early bus to the your trail head.

“Philmont should be enjoyed, not endured.” Moonshine

[Brad P]

Taking the cogwheel up to Pike’s Peak and staying in a hotel is sounding like a good option.

[Phillip M]

Cog railway is closed.  Until 2021 according to their website, but have bus service to the top.

https://www.cograilway.com/

 

[James A]

Our Crew is flying into Denver and visiting the Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods, and Cave of the Winds. We’ll stay at a hotel in Colorado Springs and then take the bus to Philmont the next day.

[Brad P]

Cog railway is closed.  Until 2021 according to their website, but have bus service to the top.

Yeah, I just saw that.  Well, we can try the bus.

 

[David Y]

Sorry to hear the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is temporarily closed.

But there is still the Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds, Rafting the Arkansas, Royal Gorge and the chuck wagon dinner and show at the Flying W Ranch (I highly recommend it).

And how many in your crew will ever “pass this way again”? So, Make this a once in a life time adventure for your crew. Do your research and find some adventures on your way to Philmont.

Time spent acclimating to altitude can be important us low landers, especially if we’re not fit. Colorado Springs is 6,000 feet and Camping Headquarters is 7,000 feet. Your entire trek will be well above these altitudes. So, time spent in Colorado Springs is well worth it for us low landers.

“Philmont should be enjoyed, not endured.” Moonshine

[Brad P]

The part about maybe not being in that area again is spot on.  I would have loved to go out several days early, but I just didn’t have enough leave.  So, we’re leaving 1 day early in part to get acclimated to the altitude.

We only have part of an afternoon and the evening, depending on when our flight arrives. So, we need something that allow flexibility and doesn’t need a full day.

Pikes Peak would certainly fall into this category, but arriving on a Saturday at the end of July means crowds.

I’d already decided we would be eating a nice meal that night and it will be part of the cost of the trip. With 12 days of Philfood ahead, I wanted a last supper.  A hotel with a shower might be a good idea, too for the same reason.

I appreciate the advice.

[David Y]

Brad,

The Air Force Academy and Garden of the Gods are self-guided and free so how much time you spend is up to you. And I highly recommend the chuck wagon dinner and show at the Flying W Ranch.

“Philmont should be enjoyed, not endured.” Moonshine

[bjc]

At this point  the Flying W Ranch has not reopened. There have been rumors about opening later this year, but just rumors. The Waldo Canyon fire destroyed everything on and around the facility.

[Jeffrey Peters]

Brad P going a day early is the way to go.  We called it day zero. If you arrive on day 1 you will have a long day ahead of you with all the gear issue and med checks and meetings. Philmont also holds you at base camp for 24 hours so the later you get in on day one the later you hit the trail on day 2. If you check in on day 0 you will be assigned your ranger early on day 1 and the rest of your day will be busy but more relaxed.

[David Y]

Jeffrey,

Arriving at Philmont a day early (Day 0) is a very good idea. I think they check you into Out Bound tent city which has full facility bath houses and you can eat in the dinning hall. They do charge you for the extra day and meals, which is pretty cheap. Probably cheaper than motels and fast food.

Philmont Camping Headquarters is higher than Colorado Springs or Denver, so you will better acclimate to altitude. And you can tour Villa Philmonte, the Scouting Museum and Cimarron.

“Philmont should be enjoyed, not endured.” Moonshine

[Bruce Tolley]

+1 to arriving in base camp a day early.  The crew has time to socialize and relax.  Day 1 is very, very long for the adult leader and crew chief with all the logistical details to attend to so the extra day in base camp insures that the crew chief and the adult leader are well rested for the first day of hiking.

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