1. Philmont Scout Ranch in the
New Mexico Wilderness
By Wilson Neely

2. Introduction
• Wilson Neely made two memorable treks to Philmont
Scout Ranch as a teenager. The ranch occupies more
than 200 square miles of wilderness in New Mexico. It
opened in 1938 under the name Philturn Rockymountain
Scoutcamp and has welcomed more than a million
visitors over the course of its history.
The ranch is the biggest national High Adventure Base of
the Boy Scouts of America. It contains 55 trail camps and
34 staffed camps and offers access to varied terrain in
the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, with elevations
starting at 6,500 feet and rising up to 12,441 feet.

3. New Mexico Wilderness
• Notable landmarks include Mount Waite Phillips,
Cimarroncito Reservoir, Urraca Mesa, and the Tooth
of Time, a sheer rock face jutting up from the valley
floor.
Visitors to the ranch can also experience a taste of
the Old West. Rides on horses and burros are
available, as are interpretive history sessions, gold
panning, and chuck wagon dinners. Scouts looking
for a more modern adventure can also take part in
mountain biking or rifle shooting. For additional
information, visit the ranch online at
www.philmontscoutranch.org.