Day 10 - Metcalf Station, The Band and our best night at Philmont

We are outta here!  Day 9 was very stressful so saying goodbye to Dan Beard and our burned out meadow campsite was easy.  The hike to our next camp was our shortest and other than climbing out of "Death Valley"  it was pretty much downhill losing 1000 ft in elevation.  We were on the trail early to avoid the heat and we easily reached  Philmont's newest camps Metcalf Station before noon. Being so early we wondered if we could push ahead but the itineraries can't be changed or we could mess up another crew.  We were the only group in this turn-of-the-century railway station so we got the best site which featured a nice canopy of trees over the eating area.  A shallow stream  trickled between the meadow where we set up our tents later in the afternoon. The first course of business was lunch, staying out of the heat and catching up on much needed rest from Day 9!

Pretty much downhill now

Most of us tried to sleep but the heat even in the shade was getting uncomfortable.  The drop in elevation also made a better environment for flies so when you did get comfortable there was always something flying around your head.  Only a couple of us made it the station to check out the telegraph and other items of interest from the era and I was not one of them.  I would have liked to have driven some spikes on the railway tracks they were building but the heat beat me again.  Before dinner we thought that were going to get hit by a storm but it passed so we felt like dodged a bullet.

Metcalf Station

Setting up for the show

The evening show by the camp staffers is usually off in a little amphitheater but since we were the only crew in camp they asked if we would like to stay on the porch and we happily agreed.  The staffers brought around an old wagon to set their instruments on and it also provided a nice backdrop.   Lanterns set on the ground and on the wagon provided the necessary light as evening approached.  The staffers put on an excellent program with songs about Casey Jones, John Henry and life on the railway.  Then it got even better.  The band introduced themselves and asked if we had any requests, which we did, and they proceeded to play for at least another 90 minutes.  They were very accomplished musicians and we were in for a treat and our best evening on the trail.  We sang with them at times and they said they hadn't had a crew like ours all summer.  I think they would have played all night and I'm sure they enjoyed the diversion from their normal routine as well.  As we walked back to the campsite the skies were clear and some of us stood near our tents and took in the amazing star filled sky.  What an amazing night.

Stories and songs about railway life

Day 9 - Over Wilson Mesa, walking on the sun and Dan Beard Dessert

Day 9 began by waking up with sounds of the stream just outside of my tent.  It felt cool, shaded and moist which would be a sharp contrast to the end of our day.  

Ready to begin our day

Wilson Mesa decent

Dillon's packing skills on display

Water crossing before reaching Rich Cabins

Today's journey began with a hike over Wilson Mesa, a visit to Rich Cabins and an excruciating hike through some burned out areas of the 2002 Ponil Complex Fire.  We camped at Dan Beard which is set up with Challenge Courses but just getting there would be challenging enough.  The heat really took it out of me and by the time we reached camp I was done!  I spent the afternoon near the main cabin which had a large tree and water that I used to soak my bandanna and then wrapped on my head in attempt to stay cool.  By late afternoon we set up camp in a bare meadow and then the boys made dinner with the sun still beating down.  I must admit I was little to no help and thankfully Mr Bock kept us focused. 

Leaving Rich Cabins on our way to Dante's Inferno

Very hot and shade-less hike over forest fire area.  

Welcome to Dan Beard!  At least we can stop now but the heat is unbearable. 

Remember that shady site near the stream?  Worst camp site of the trip.

By sunset there was relief and the main cabin provided a place to relax and chat with other campers.  The night was clear and cool and then luckily after midnight "nature called".  I say luckily because when I crawled out of my tent, stood up and looked skyward only one word left my mouth, Wow.  Countless stars filled the sky and I felt privileged once again to be in such a special place.

Relaxing after dinner.  Heat is breaking and there is relief at the main cabin.

Fire conservation game was played until dark.

When we got here I didn't enjoy one thing about Dan Beard but then you start to understand the significance of the forest fires and the rebirth of this area.  Some things just need to be experienced.
 

Night sky somewhere.  I wish I could have taken a decent picture myself.  Breath taking!

Day 8 - Peublano, Spar Pole Climbing and the Stream of Dreams

The hike to Pueblano, which is the home of the Continental Tie & Lumber Company, was a relatively short hike today.  Kyle now with his brother back at base camp, moves a little slower and it's obvious he misses him.  We filled our water bottles at Miranda and David checked us out of camp which is standard procedure at all staff camps.  The long gradual but grueling hill leading to Miranda is much nicer on the way down. We can look back in the clearing and see Baldy Mountain with admiration, yesterday's challenge met.

When you don't have Siri, you have David.  He explains the true story behind Famous Amos Cookies.

Baldy Mountain.  Been there, done that!

"There is an easier path over here..."

Now that's some high quality H2O

Our route took us back to Head of Dean which included some uphill switchbacks but in the morning when its cool it wasn't bad at all.  We of course had to stop and take a rest at Head of Dean and Julia was again there to greet us.  It was only early morning by then so we decided to keep moving so we can eat lunch at Pueblano and hopefully get a good camp site.  

Welcome to the Continental Tie & Lumber Company

When we arrive at Pueblano we see someone come around the cabin wearing a black knee brace.  It's Sean and everyone is happy to see him.   He explains the rigors and boredom of the base camp infirmary and he's clearly happy to back with 621S01. Thankfully with a little rest his knee recovered enough to get back on the trail and once again our crew is back at full strength.  We have to make some arrangements to get the food and tent we left at Miranda but by dinner everything is squared away.

Spar pole climbing demonstration

Up we go!

Kyle paying close attention to his climber

Chillin' on the porch

The early bird gets the worm.  We're first in camp and get the best camp site.

Best campsite by far, the stream just a few feet from our tents.

Logger Ball actually resembles baseball

The Pueblano staff camp puts on a good show.

Sean as Bachelor #3 in the Pueblano Dating Game.

Day 7 - Baldy Mountain

The day is overcast and cool but not a bad way to start our hike up Baldy.  We heard that our sister crew was unable to make the climb a few days earlier due to bad weather so our hope is that the clouds will break up by the time we near the summit.  We don't have to tear down camp but we do need to bring two empty packs that can be filled with our next supply of food which we will pick up at the Baldy Town commissary on our return to Miranda.  We leave camp by 5:45 as we are told that we need to be at a certain point by 8:00 am as they don't want hikers going up late in the day when weather can change quickly.  Each person is to take four liters of water as this climb is challenging, especially if you are not accustomed to the elevation.

Final water refill at Black Horse Camp

Along the way to Black Horse Camp we realized that we missed the sign-out sheet at Miranda.

Turning back would easily add an hour to our hike which might jeopardize the Baldy hike all together.  Since we had Sean in camp resting his knee and staff checking up on him, we decided to push on as our whereabouts could be easily tracked.  We also had to borrow water purification tablets from an Illinois crew on their way down to Miranda.  Fortunately water tablets are available at every staff camp so they could easily replenish their supply.  

Mining building

Panoramic view

"11" 11,000 ft

As we clear the mining camp and continue the accent on Baldy the skies clear
and we are left with a picture perfect day.  We started the day at Miranda which is
8920 ft and we stopped at the 11,000 ft mark to take a picture.  

Bundling up before the final accent.  Very windy and cold!

Slow and steady wins the race

Dylan takes in the view

We did it!

Crew 621S01 on top of Baldy Mountain - Elevation 12,441 ft

                        http://www.philmontexplorer.com/campsite-information/baldy-mountain-peak

Westward view

Panoramic view

Southern View - Note the smoke from the small forest fire at Pueblano.  

Decent down the north side of Baldy

The Ridge and our way home

Off the mountain top but still very windy

Baldy Mountain looking south from the Ridge

Chatting with a crew from Virginia

Lunch after getting off the ridge.  No wind here.

Baldy from the east

One tired crew leader

Downhill switchbacks

We stop at Baldy Town to get our food for the next few days, the load fills our two packs and a couple of bear bags that we brought along just in case we needed more room.  There are showers at Baldy Town so the adults came prepared and enjoyed the first shower of the hike.  From Baldy Town it's a manageable hike through Black Horse Camp and then downhill to Miranda.

Captivated by mountain streams

Back to Miranda after being gone for almost 12 hours

Mountain Ball - A game with no real purpose

When we return to Miranda, tired and hungry we find that Sean has gone back to base camp for further evaluation. The accomplishment of today's hike feels amazing but it's bittersweet now that one of our crew members could not make the journey and now he has left the trail.  Perhaps with some luck he can recuperate and rejoin us somewhere down the trail.  The night concludes with a rousing game of Mountain Ball while the adult advisers enjoy hot drinks and cookies on the cabin porch.  Sleep should not be a problem tonight.