My Trek

Trek

Crew · Arrowhead · Logistics
01

Trek overview

This trek will be hard. It is going to be one of the best adventures of your life.

We will climb Baldy Mountain, hike over the Tooth of Time, pick up and manage a burro, build trail for conservation, rock climb at Dean Cow, experience campfire programs, and move through some of the most spectacular parts of Philmont.

The way we succeed

  • ▸One crew, one pace, one goal.
  • ▸The early start is the best move of the day.
  • ▸Just one more mile.
  • ▸Respond, don't react.
  • ▸Check on the person next to you.
  • ▸Trust the Crew Leader.
  • ▸Let advisors be advisors.
  • ▸We don't finish until everyone finishes.
02

The Philmont experience

Watch before departure if you haven't already.

03

Earn The Arrowhead Award

The Philmont Arrowhead is one of the most recognized awards in Scouting — earned only by those who complete a full Philmont backcountry trek and meet every standard along the way. Not everyone who goes to Philmont earns it. We will.

Philmont Arrowhead Award
  • ▸Complete the trek (all trail days)
  • ▸Complete the conservation project — Day 8, Sioux, 2:00 PM, new trail construction
  • ▸Follow the Wilderness Pledge throughout the trek
  • ▸Maintain Leave No Trace practices every day
  • ▸No graffiti, no shortcuts, no mistreatment of land or facilities
Missing conservation = no Arrowhead. Conservation is Day 8 at Sioux at 2:00 PM. A late start on Day 8 puts the whole day at risk.
04

Wilderness Pledge

The Wilderness Pledge is how Philmont protects its land. Every crew member takes it before entering the backcountry and is expected to live it every day on trail. It is not a formality — it is the standard.

5 areas

Litter and graffiti

Pack out everything. No graffiti anywhere on Philmont land, facilities, or rock.

Wildlife

Observe from a distance. Do not feed, approach, or interact with wildlife.

Water

Never wash in or near springs or streams. All grey water through the sump strainer.

Trails

Stay on designated trail. Never cut switchbacks. Camp only where assigned.

Campsites

Leave no trace of your stay. Walk the site before departing — nothing left behind.

05

BSA 50-Miler Award

Our trek is 81 miles — enough to qualify every crew member for the BSA 50-Miler Award. This is a national Scouting recognition for completing a 50-mile journey under human power with a conservation project. We will earn it on this trek.

BSA 50-Miler Award patch
  • ▸Travel at least 50 miles entirely under human power — hiking, canoeing, or cycling
  • ▸Complete the journey over consecutive days with an appropriate adult leader present
  • ▸Carry out a conservation or community service project during the trip
  • ▸Keep a log or journal of the trip
  • ▸Submit the completed application through your unit
We already meet the requirements. 81 miles of hiking, a conservation project on Day 8, and a trip log. The application goes through the unit after we return.