My story of Trek 14 would be nearly identical. We had a couple minor differences:
We went up and over Urraca Mesa both ways, you had good tasting coffee at Clear Creek (all I found was "mud" everywhere! LOL), we did go up on the Tooth on the way to Tooth Ridge camp (very awesome experience) and the entire crew went to Simple Simon's pizza the afternoon after arriving in base camp in the morning.
Other than that, our experience was pretty much the same. Missing program at Crater Lake (we missed due to a severe rainstorm), going up Trail Peak with full packs, enjoying Crooked Creek and Clear Creek, the awesome views from Mt. Phillips, fun at Cyphers, eating supper for lunch at Schaefers and all the rest.
Yes, the last day (Webster Park to Tooth Ridge Camp) is a long one - somewhere in the range of 13 miles with a good climb up to Schaefer's Pass and out Tooth Ridge - but if the crew is used to getting up early and hitting the trail between 6:00 and 6:30am, and eating breakfast at your one-hour rest break, arrival time at Tooth Ridge camp can be "relatively" early.
Watching the sunrise from Tooth Ridge camp was a highlight of the trip. Watched it with a couple other groups made up of Boy Scouts and mostly girl Venturing Crews. Sitting around in the dark with that group of young people waiting for the sun to come over the horizon was nothing short of very cool.
After that, we went back to our campsite, had a quick breakfast, packed up and hiked the two hours or so back to base camp. Got in around 9:30am or so. Given the opportunity, I'd do that trek again in a heartbeat, but if the trek in 2010 happens for me, I hope the crew decides on a northern route simply so I can see that part of the ranch.
Pete Swiggum
Green Bay, WI
Philmont 2005 (& 2010?)
ICWTGBTP!!!
Joe Johnstone <joe.johnstone@gmail.com> wrote:
We did 14 last year, and it was a great trip.
First day to Lovers leap is pretty easy walk.
There are at two ways to Uracca, we went around the "Back" there, and over the top on the way out to Bear Caves.
Bear caves we arrved late, and missed spar pole climbing. Boys learned a lessoon that day.
The next day was over to Beaubien, and we chose to go up and over Trail Peak with our packs. This was a pretty tough hump, but I am glad we did it, as there didn't appear to be a lot of time to go back in the off days, as we had a commisary run, cons project, horseback riding, chuckwagon and branding at Beaubien, with a layover.
Next day was a steady walk up to crooked creek. Walking through the pastures in the sun was hot, but once we got into the woods, the walk was better.
Crooked Creek was a lot of fun for the crew. Next day, we had a steady hike up to clear creek, our highest camping spot for the trek. I felt a tad dizzy whne setting up my tent here. Blackpowder and Hawks are always a big hit, and we had some of the best tasting coffee on the trek here.
Tough hump up Mt. Phillips, but the view was incredible. We ate lunch down on commanche peak, but should have gone a little farther where the view was excellent passed the camp. Made it to Cypher's and the boys had to choose between Mine tour and blacksmithing, they went for the blacksmithing.
the next day, we took the wrong trail out of Cypher's (It is easy to do, the map isn't very accurate here) And this added about 1 1/2 miles to ur long day. The hike through the canyon was spectacular. We stooped for lunch at the hunting lodge. Then a hot hike up to Webster Park. Everyone was bushed, so three of us went on the 3 mile hike (Each way!) hike to the commissary for food pickup. We got back to camp around 6:00 PM, pretty tired.
The next day was a looooong one. Webster to Tooth Ridge. Starts off pretty eaasy, back down the hill to Hunting Lodge, then passed the reservoir, from there on, it's a tough walk. We cooked a supper for lunch at Sheffers pass, and then went up to the ridge trail. This trail is really difficult to walk. Lot's of rocks, and big boulders and the path seems to disappear every now and again. You end up on the back side of the Tooth, befre coming into camp. You will see bear bags right near the tooth, but these are for folks that want to hike up the Tooth. Continue on to the campsites.
Sunrise was beautiful the next morning. Didn;t climb the tooth, but found some interesting rock formations to watch from.
The hike into base camp isn;t far, but it seems to take forever. We were in base camp by 10:00 AM. Showered, did laundry, and took the bus to St James for lunch, the boys went to the Pizza place.
On 7/21/08, Jim Zeszutek <jwzeszutek@zeszutek.com> wrote: Evening all,
Looking for information from those who recently completed Trek 14.
Please contact me off list at jwzeszutek@zeszutek.com
Yours In Scouting Service,
Jim Zeszutek
809-Q2
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Received on Mon Jul 21 09:48:01 2008
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