Back 2024 Trek 7-15 Forward


Super Strenuous; Approximately 41 miles; Maps required: South


Trek History: New as 7-15 in 2024;

This itinerary offers a good mix of program and hiking with the added bonus of being among the first to camp in the Ute Park Fire burn scar. After a short bus ride to the Turkey Creek trailhead you’ll make your way to Vaca via the Vaca Trail which was the very first Order of the Arrow Trail Crew project ever completed. Pay close attention during your Ranger training and marvel at Mother Nature’s recovery efforts in the burn scar. On your way to Deer Lake camp the next morning be sure to stop in at Harlan for 12 gauge shotgun shooting and reloading. After that you’re off to Sawmill for .30.06 reloading and shooting. You’re back on the trail the next morning after completing your trail building conservation project. Try your hand at panning for gold at Cyphers Mine before heading to Cimarroncito. Enjoy the climbing wall that evening and then head up to the top of the ridge for an early morning rock climbing session. Stop at the Demonstration Forest to talk with a visiting Forester as you make your way to Clarks Fork for Western Lore, branding, and a delicious Chuckwagon dinner. Hit the sack right after the campfire in preparation for your hike back to Base Camp the next morning. Celebrate your accomplishments with your crew and enjoy the incredible views from the top of the Tooth of Time and complete your trek by passing through the “We All Made It” gate!

Per the Guidebook to Itineraries: "Due to potential emergencies, such as catastrophic fires, Crews must not deviate from their assigned itinerary. Changes are only permitted for bona fide medical emergencies and must be approved in advance by the Logistics Department."

Unique Campsite: Vaca; Deer Lake; Cimarroncito;
- No photo available for this campsite or this program at this location. Click icon for specific needs.

DayCampProgram FeaturesCampsite Features
1Camping Headquarters Opening Campfire Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;  
2Vaca Food Pickup @ Camping HeadquartersTrail Camp; (Commissary; Showers; Trading Post; at CHQ Trailbound)


Ranger Training  


Bus to Turkey Creek Trailhead
3Deer Lake 12 Gauge Shotgun shooting/reloading @ Harlan 
4Sawmill 30-06 Shooting/Reloading Showers (wood stoked);  
5Cimarroncito Food Pickup Showers;  


Gold Mining & Panning @ Cyphers MineShowers (wood stoked);


Mining History @ Cyphers Mine 


Conservation Project @ SawmillShowers (wood stoked);
6Clarks Fork Rock Climbing & Rappelling @ CimarroncitoShowers;  (Showers; at Cimarroncito)


Western Lore / Branding  


Chuck Wagon Dinner  


Campfire  


Visiting Forester @ Demonstration Forest
7Camping Headquarters Closing Campfire Commissary; Showers; Trading Post;  


Climb Shaefer's Peak  


Climb Tooth of Time  


Hike in via Tooth Ridge Trail  
Warning: Itinerary details provided by PhilSearch are for planning purposes only.  Only the current year's "Treks" book and the addendums to it, if any, should be used for final trek selection.

Crews passing through staff camps are not scheduled for program. If time and space allow, some crews may be able to participate in some of the programs offered.

DayCampPotential Additional Program FeaturesCampsite Features
2Camping HeadquartersVisit the Villa PhilmonteCommissary; Showers; Trading Post;
National Scouting Museum
5Cyphers MineBlacksmithingShowers (wood stoked);
Stomp
Mine Tour
Sawmill30-06 Shooting/ReloadingShowers (wood stoked);
Ute Park Pass Hike Prep
Hike through 2018 Ute Park Fire Zone
6CimarroncitoHike via Hidden Valley / Window RockShowers;
Climbing Gym
Traverse Wall
Clarks ForkCowboy CampfireShowers;
Ride out from Cattle Headquarters
Ride over Schaefers Pass
Demonstration ForestObsolete
7Camping HeadquartersVisit the Villa PhilmonteCommissary; Showers; Trading Post;
National Scouting Museum
Ride into Cattle Headquarters
This list is not complete and is dependent on the route you take each day.