About Philmont Scout Ranch:
Philmont Scout Ranch
is the largest High Adventure Base owned and operated by
the Boy Scouts of America. Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range near
Cimarron, New Mexico, it is the best-known Boy Scout camp in the world. Scouts
from all 50 states, Europe, South Africa and Japan backpack its rugged and
beautiful terrain every year.
Philmont comprises 137,493 acres or about 215 square miles of scenic mountain
wilderness. The terrain is challenging for all backpackers with base camp at
6500 ft. and mountain peaks rising to 12,441 ft. (Baldy Mountain). The
vast expanse leads the camper to experience a variety of weather patterns from
100° temperatures in desert regions to hail and snow in the mountains.
There is abundant wildlife, such as brown bears, elk, pronghorn sheep, mule
deer, mountain lions, beaver, wild turkeys, and mini-bears (squirrels, chipmunks
and ground hogs).
There are thirty-four staff camps and
fifty trail camps operated by the Ranch. Each year, more than 20,000 Campers
come to the Ranch to hike its trails, climb its mountains, and learn about
themselves and the wilderness. In the summer a team of nine hundred seasonal
staff works to ensure that every camper's Philmont experience is something that
will change them forever.
Philmont Fire of 2002:
Each summer, Philmont starts off with a staff banquet. That
day, June 1st up in Ponil canyon a clap of thunder and a bolt of
lightning dramatically changed everyone's summer. That lightning strike and
others nearby, started what came to be known as the Ponil Complex Fire.
Valiant efforts by 1,342 personnel, 13 water dropping
helicopters, 31 engines, 24 dozers, and 12 water tenders contained the fire by
June 17th, but not before it encompassed 92,000 acres (143 Sq. miles). About
28,000 (42 Sq. miles) of those were part of our beloved Philmont Scout Ranch,
with 14,000 acres actually burned.
The fire burned in the North Country above highway 64 from
the Dean Canyon area into the Valle Vidal and neighboring ranches. But none of
our historic buildings were lost as the crews wrapped the buildings with a
fire-resistant foil material.
Philmont responded quickly, rerouting crews and modifying
programs to keep the magic of the Sangre de Cristos alive for the thousands of
summer campers. The Ranch Committee has authorized $100,000 for drop-seeding
8,000 of the most critically burned acres. But this is only a small part. Long
term, a lot of work must be done to mitigate erosion, replace millions of trees,
repair trails and rebuild campsites.
As a result of these fires, Philmont needs your financial
support. Donations can be made to:
Philmont Fire Restoration Fund and mail to:
Philmont Scout Ranch
John Clark,
Controller
Route 1, Box 35
Cimarron, NM 87714
Meanwhile operations continued in Camping
Headquarters and the Training Center. Over 21,000 campers earned their Arrowhead
Awards, and about 4,000 adults and family members sought out the resources of
the Philmont training center.
