Philmont Trek 806-F 1999
Part of Troop
104's 1999 Philmont Trek
August 15, Day 9
Rayado Canyon to Abreu
We got up at 6:00 this morning. The sky was clear, but the humidity was so high in the valley that everything was pretty well soaked. We tried putting stuff out to dry, but since the sun wasn't up high enough to reach the camp, it didn't help much.
We left camp at about 8:30. The trail climbs up the south side of Rayado Canyon (up to 8900 ft.), rising several hundred feet above the river. It's a fairly long hike, and has several significant climbs and descents. But in my opinion it's one of the most scenic hikes in Philmont. It gives great views of Lookout and Crater Peaks. We stopped for lunch at a spot where the trail passes through a resistant rock layer (a volcanic dike, I think, at 8154 ft.), just before the trail starts down toward Abreu. It has, I think, one of the best overviews in Philmont. In one direction is an unobstructed view up Rayado Canyon. In the other a view of the valley south of Urraca Mesa. I want to build by retirement house here.
While we were stopped for lunch, a couple of other crews passed by. They each paused for a few minutes, but didn't stop to enjoy the view. I couldn't understand how they could just pass the spot by.
The weather for most of the hike was great. Sunny but cool. There was a stiff breeze blowing down the valley, and our lunch stopping place, being exposed, was quite airy. It occasionally looked like some rain would blow up, but nothing developed. Once we passed the lunch spot, though, we were out of the breeze and there was very little shade. It got pretty warm.
On the way through Old Abreu Camp, we stopped to look at the fossils. We saw a good number of shellfish impressions. We then went on to Abreu (formerly New Abreu, 7190 ft.) just a little way on down the trail.
At Abreu, we set up camp and got a tour of the new adobe house that was built just last year.
Then we hit the cantina. A Nalgene bottle full of root beer was $1, so we were well refreshed. We played cards, checkers and chess.
When the Cantina closed, Peter went to help cook dinner and the rest of us went back to camp. The group conversations of this crew can be quite eclectic. The conjugation of Latin verbs. The significance of Tieneman Square. Fascinating.
The staff had failed to mention that root beer is a laxative. There were lines outside the Red Roof Inn.
Part of the Abreu program is the Mexican dinner. We had soft tacos and churros. Real food! Not freeze dried! We fantasized that the hamburger came from the cows at Fish Camp.
After dinner (Matt D. helped clean up), it was time for the burro race. I was surprised at how many crews showed up. There were only four crews in Abreu, but a bunch of others hiked over from Rayado and Old Abreu camps, all crews on short treks out for their second day.
Our crew was doing pretty well in the race (actually, they run one at a time against a clock), but the burro, once he got going, didn't want to stop. When they got to the turnaround place, he kept going, and Matt W. couldn't get him to turn. They did finally get him going back in the right direction, but in the process Peter got kicked. He has what looks like half of the Philmont "O" brand on his leg from the horseshoe. (The "O" brand is one of the two "Stupid Camper" brands that they warn us against. The "O" brand comes from backing into the hot tailpipe at the back of the bus. The "Star" brand comes from putting your hand onto the stove before it cools off.) He will feel pretty sore in the morning. This on top of the sore neck he had today, and he might not be a happy camper.
After the race I went to the advisors' coffee for a while. There were several rangers discussing the finer points of Scooby-Doo. Quite a contrast from the more highbrow discussions that our crew members are more wont to have. (Unfortunately, I mentioned this fact to the crew later on, and they demonstrated that they, too, have an appreciation for the subtleties of Scooby-Doo.)
I rejoined the crew in the cantina where they were playing cards and chess. We stayed there until they kicked us out at 9 pm.
The sky tonight is again cloudless and clear, with only a four-day-old moon. It is warm, but comfortable for sleeping. Life again is good. Colin says that this time he will be sure to look at the arrow over his left shoulder as we leave Philmont. [The legend has it that if you look over your left shoulder as you leave Cimarron and see the arrowhead formation (the inspiration for the Philmont patch), you're sure to return someday.]
From the Crew Journal
Today was a nice, sunny day with some of the best vistas ever. It was a really long hike. It was made all better by the root beer though before I found it was laced with Ex-lax. MMM...Mexican dinner. (EP)
The Mexican dinner was good, except the short kid from Wis. would not give me any cheese. (AS)
I cooked. It was alright. I made a fire and cooked meat, then I served. The food was pretty bland, but good.
Trash, trash, trash... and more trash. I hate cleanup. I will never volunteer for anything ever again. (MD)
The view on the trail today was one of Philmont's best. It was amusing to sit at advisors' coffee this evening and listen to the rangers discussing the fine points of Scooby-Doo. Not exactly an intellectual conversation. (DW)
hi people! (MD)
