Philmont

History    Adventures   Museums   Risks   Autumn    Winter   Apply for 2006 Trip

History

Once inhabited by the Jicarilla Apache and Moache Ute Indians, Philmont was the site of the one of the first pioneer settlements in northeastern New Mexico.  the present ranch is part of the original Beaubien and Miranda Land Grant which was granted to Carlos Beaubien and Guadelupe Miranda by the Mexican government in 1841.  Beaubien's son-in-law, mountain man Lucian Maxwell, led the first settlers to the grant in 1848.  With the help of his friend Kit Carson, Maxwell's settlement on the Rayado River prospered despite frequent Indian raids and harsh wilderness conditions.

Maxwell moved his ranch north to the Cimarron River in 1857, the site of present day Cimarron.  There it became a famous stop on the Santa Fe Trail, bringing   Ten years after Maxwell moved to the Cimarron gold was discovered on his ranch near Baldy Mountain.  For years afterward, the mountains and streams of Maxwell's Ranch swarmed with prospectors and miners.

In 1870 Maxwell sold his ranch to an English land company known as the Maxwell Grant and Railroad Company.  After several years the land was again sold to a Dutch based company who attempted several development schemes, but eventually sold the land in tracts for farms or ranches.

Oklahoma oilman, Waite Phillips, became interested in developing a ranch out of the old grant in 1922.  He eventually amassed over 300,000 acres of mountains and plains in a ranch he named Philmont (derived from the Spanish word for mountain 'Monte')

The Philmont ranch became a showplace.  Immense herds of Hereford cows and Morrisdale sheep grazed its pastures.  Phillips built a large Spanish Mediterranean home for his family at ranch headquarters , naming it the Villa Philmonte.  He developed horse and hiking trails throughout the backcountry along with elaborate fishing and hunting cabins for his family and friends.

Waite Phillips believed in sharing his wealth with people outside his family.  In this spirit, he offered 35,857 acres of his ranch to the Boy Scouts of America in 1938 to serve as a national wilderness camping area.  The are was named Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp.  (After Phillips and the Boy Scout Slogan 'Do a good turn daily').  After observing the enthusiastic response of the first Scout campers, Phillips augmented his original gift in 1941 with an addition including his best camping land, the Villa Philmonte, and the headquarters farming and ranching operation.  The second gift was made so that many, rather than few, could enjoy his rich and beautiful land.  The property, now totaling 127,395 acre, was renamed the Philmont Scout Ranch.

Phillips realized that the cost for maintenance and development of the property could not and should not be derived from camper fees.  As an endowment he included in the gift his 23-story Philtower Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In 1963, through the generosity of Norman Clapp, Vice President of the National Council, Boy Scouts of America, another piece of the Maxwell Land Grant was purchased and added to Philmont.  This was the Baldy Mountain mining area consisting of 10,098 acres.

Camping Since Philmont's first camping season in 1939, more than 750,000 Scouts, Venturers and their leaders have particpated in the rugged challenge of its backpacking program.  Philmont's camping season is from mid June to mid August. Scouts and Venturers must be in top physical condition, at least 14 years of age by January 1 of the year attending or have completed the eighth grade and be at least 13 years of age prior to participation, and registered members of the Boy Scouts of America.  Organized into crews of 7-12, including at least 2 adult leaders, particiapnts hike Philmont's mountains for 10 full days, spending nights at various back country camps.  At staffed camps, crews can participate in a variety of programs presented by Philmont backcountry staff.  Among these programs are horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning, rock climbing, 30.06 rifle shooting, archeology, mountain biking and interpretive programs such as homesteading and mountain man rendezvous.

In addition to regular expeditions, Philmont offers several special programs.  these include Cavalcades (expeditions on horseback); Rayado Treks, an extended expedition for Scouts and Venturers who have attained a high degree of backpacking skill and who are at least 15 years or ninth grade graduates, and not yet 21; R.O.C.S., (Roving Outdoor Conservation School) 21 day program, also for Scouts and Venturers 16 years of age and not yet 21 who are interested in conservation and resource management; Order of the Arrow Trail Crew, a 14 day experience for Order of the Arrow members who will build trails and hike the ranch; and Ranch Hands, a 16 day program for Scouts and Venturers who will work with the horse department and then experience a Cavalcade.

Training Serving as the National Volunteer Training Center for the Boy Scouts of America since 1950, the Philmont Training Center offers a variety of week long conferences for council and district volunteers and professionals each summer.  Each conference features the latest tools and techniques, audio-visuals, discussions, idea sharing, and committees of the National Council for their expertise in the conference topic.  Invitation to these conferences is upon recommendation of the local council or one of BSA's national committees.  

While a Scout leader is at a summer conference, programs are planned for all members of the family - infant through adult.  Family members enjoy a staff-led program of hiking, tours, handicrafts, games, campfires, and outdoor activities.  A backcountry adventure for venture aged youth is included.

The Philmont Training Center is open from September through April for conferences conducted by the National Council and local BSA councils.

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Philmont Adventures

Philmont is 137,493 acres of challenging Scout adventure set in among the mountains and mesas of northeastern New Mexico.  Philmont's mountain terrain ranges in elevation from 6,600 to 12,441 feet at the top of Baldy Mountain.  Summer daytime temperatures often reach into the 90's but nights cool to the 50s.  Wildlife is abundant on Philmont's forested mountains and grassy plains.  Deer, elk, mountain lion, bear, bobcat, buffalo, and antelope are frequently spotted by observant campers on the ranch.   

Philmont is a working cattle ranch with over 250 head of Hereford cows grazing on its pastures.   For summer packing and riding, 100 burros and 300 saddle horses are also maintained.

Expeditions Explore the Philmont High Country on a 12 day backpacking expedition.  Experience the thrill of climbing mountains over two miles high!  Learn technical rock climbing, archeological excavation techniques, and blacksmithing.  Relive bygone days of the Old West as you ride a western saddle horse, learn the ways of the mountain man, pack burros and pan for gold in a clear mountain stream.  Discover the wonder of Scouting's paradise as over 750,000 Scouts, Venturers and leaders have since 1939.

Cavalcades members of a Philmont Cavalcade ride horseback over some of Philmont's most senic trails.  Designed for chartered troops or venturing crews, Cavalcade participants acquire riding and packing skills long in use in the American West.  The final day of Cavalcade is spent in competition at an equestrian gymkhana.   

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Museums

Villa Philmonte  Waite Phillips built the Villa Philmonte as the summer home for his family on the Philmont Ranch.  It was completed in 1927 and was designed in Spanish Mediterranean style.  Restored to the period when Phillips owned the ranch, it now serves as a memorial to him and his generosity to the Boy Scouts of America.  Guided tours are offered.

Seton Memorial Library and Philmont Museum  Exhibitions at the Philmont Museum portray Philmonts rich frontier heritage, depicting the life of the cowboy, Native American, miner, mountain man, and settler, and the contribution they made to the history of Cimarron country.  The Seaton Memorial Museum house the library and personal art and natural history collections of world famous author, artist, naturalist, and first Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts of America, Earnest Thompson Seton.

Kit Carson Museum Seven miles south of Philmont's headquarters is Rayado, the first settlement of the Beaubien and Miranda Land Grant.  Located at Rayado, the Kit Carson Museum was built in the style of Mexican Haciendas of the middle 19th century.  The rooms oif the museum are furnished to the period of the 1850s when frontiersman Kit Carson and Lucian Maxwell carved out a wilderness ranch there along the Santa Fe trail.

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Risks

Philmont offers High Adventure backpacking, horse riding treks and program activities in relatively inaccessible mountain terrain.  Parents, advisors and youth participants should be alert to the possibility of injury.  Philmont strives to minimize risks to participants and advisors by emphasizing proper safety precautions.

Philmont staff will provide instruction regarding safety measures, each crew is expected to follow these safety measures and to accept responsibility for the health and safety of its members.

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Autumn Adventures

Experience the pleasure of hiking the Philmont backcountry during the unusally warm sunny days of autumn whenthe aspen trees turn to gold.  A trained Philmont guide will accompany your group to areas where you can enjoy the splendor of fall color.  Your hike may be an extended backpacking experience or a leisurely day hike.  Your Crew provides cooking gear and backpacking stoves.  This is the only Philmont adventure that an all adult crew may participate. 

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Winter Adventures - "Kanik"

Camp comfortably in cold weather!  Learn about cold weather physiology, nutrition, equipment and clothing.  Activities include: Cross country skiing; tracking; and snow shelter building.