My Philmont Ranch Adventure»
Hello everybody, my name is Dylan Switala and I am a Senior English Major at Drew University in NJ. As part of my Advance Journalism course, I am working with NationalParkswithT.com as a guest author. I am very excited to tell you guys about Philmont Scout Ranch, a ranch that covers 140,177 acres of wilderness and mountains. Although my choice of topic is not a national park, it is an amazing high adventure base that is open to the public.
Most people think of it as just a Boy Scout camp, but you can sign up for expeditions during the summer. The pictures only give you a small idea of how beautiful it is.
During our 4th day of the 14-day trek across the ranch lands, my crew climbed the second biggest mountain within Philmont. The mountain ridge is called the Tooth of Time and is a part of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail within Philmont. The hike up the mountain ridge usually takes two hours to complete.
The trail is made up of multiple hills and rock structures that have you going up, down, left, and right. Philmont recommends a nice pair of hiking boots for the Tooth of Time because of the jagged rocks that make up the trail.
Once you are at the top of the mountain, you are met with a beautiful landscape that gives you a 360 degree look of Philmont. You are 2,500 feet above the valley floor at the top of The Tooth of Time.
Philmont has multiple terrains and frontiers within the ranch. Some of the trails go through very dense forests that have small to gigantic trees. When looking into the landscape of Philmont, you can usually see a mountain range in the distance.
Every day of hiking usually ends with your group arriving at your camp site for the night. Every camp site has a fire pit, pack line, and bear bag to hang up the food. There are varied types of wildlife within Philmont, from wild horses and birds to grizzly bears and mountain lions.
Each day the hike can vary from 8 miles to 15 or 20 miles. Also, there are multiple towns and frontier cabins that you can stop at during your treks at Philmont.
Philmont is also made up of flatlands and desert areas within the ranch. Some days you get a nice hike through flat terrains that go through rivers and streams.
This image was taken during our hike up Baldy Mountain during our last few days at Philmont. Baldy Mountain is the highest mountain within Philmont. It’s 3,640 feet above the valley floor at the summit.
Once you get to the top of the mountain, you are met with an unbelievable view of Philmont that is 360 degrees around you. You can see all of Philmont from the top of the mountain, also you feel like you can touch the clouds within the sky.
This was my final photo of Philmont, as my team was completing our 14-day hike that ended with us going through a small valley back to base camp. I really enjoyed my time at Philmont and hope to return one day.
Location: 17 Deer Run Rd, Cimarron, New Mexico
Designation: National High Adventure Base
Date established/designated: 1938
Date of my visit: 8/3/2014
Nicely written, good photos too!
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I did not realize there were public offerings at Philmont. It looks like a very beautiful place. Thank you for your post.
It looks like the base camp and museum is open to visitors, but the adventures are for registered Boy Scouts and their families.
Good combination of photos and text. I’ve driven through the area a couple of times but not backpacked it.
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You are in good hands with Theresa as a mentor. Although I never got to Philmont, your post and pictures brought back good memories of my hikes with Explorer Scouts through the Pacific Crest and Skyline Trails in Oregon. Thanks
Thanks Don! Dylan did a great job!
What a beautiful area!
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Great photos that bring back lots of memories for me. I went to Philmont as a Boy Scout when I was fourteen, and later worked for two summers on the Philmont staff while I was in college. (This was all a long time ago, in the 1950s.)
What a great experience!
Well done, Dylan! Congrats on your article!
Thanks for the post! Wishing you all the best in your education and career! 📚
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Beautiful landscapes. 😊
Beautiful photos and views!!
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Nice post, Dylan. A new spot for me and if there is ever a return to normal, sounds like a road trip is in order!
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Nice post, and a beautiful area. Thanks for sharing it.
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You were lucky to experience both routes still open after the first. For the scouts, it is either or. Great to learn of this fantastic location. Thank You, Dylan.
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Your photos are stunning so if they don’t do this wonderful place justice I can only boggle! Your paint an enticing picture with your excellent prose. Definitely my cup of tea and now on my ever increasing list of places to visit in this immense and extraordinary country
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A perfect way to vicariously take a trip into a beautiful area of the SW as we shelter in place. Thanks for the stunning photos of the scenic views.
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Nicely done!
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great photos, looks like lots of moments of nature connection can be found there.
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Gorgeous photos!!!