Click on the heading above for lists of personal gear and equipment that we have taken
and modified right from the 1979 handbook for the Philmont Scout Ranch. If you do it
the Philmont way you will have a fruitful trip and the environment will not suffer your
being there. My first backpacking experience was at Philmont in 1975 with BSA Troop
285 and I made my last of 5 trips there in 1980 with Explorer Post 304. We
continued to take Post 304 to the Weminuche for several years before giving it up for
adult male companions.
Here are a few of the treks we have taken in the Weminuche. USGS quads are listed
in the order they are used. The time on these treks usually includes a day or two
for fishing or side hikes but not always. We take more time going uphill than down
so consider that if you decide to go the opposite direction. Also, I was 45-years
old about 15 years ago, when I started hiking the Weminuche and in addition to the age
factor I have always been slow anyway. If you are 25 you can no doubt move
faster and if that is your style you can take a day or two off the long hikes. Most
of the hiking is above 10,000-feet and the pace is slower than say the Philmont Scout Ranch where most of the hiking is below
that level. We recommend taking all the time you can in this country and really
soaking it up.
