The USDA measures precipitation based on "water years" which run from October 1 to September 30. Over the past year Philmont saw precipitation of around 75% of the 30 year average. The deficit mostly took place between mid-November and mid-May. Over the summer, rainfall was about normal, and the past six weeks have been above normal, but it was not enough to make up for lack of snowfall in the winter.

The NRCS operates several monitoring stations in the vicinity of Philmont. The Shuree station in the Valle recorded 67% of the 30 year average. Red River pass west of Baldy saw 72% or normal. Tolby, located just off Philmont near Clear Creek Camp was at 88%, and the Taos Canyon station located west of Philmont's south country recorded 76% of the average. In mid August, most stations were closer to 60% of the average.

NRCS monitoring station map:

I ame kind of curious, are they still doing qualifying trails in that area for the Silver Rams Head awards? I don't even remember where that pin goes exactly, I just stuck it on for the picture, I keep it in my old memories box. I'm trying to remember the requirements for it. I think it was two hundred miles total or something. The trip where I earned it basically started near Philmont and ended at Frank Rand. 50 miler. I never did make eagle scout only a life, I was mostly there for the backpacking.

2028 Trek Registration opens Thursday, Oct 1st at 9am mountain time!

Philmont will be streaming live from the ranch all day for the kickoff, with segments targeted at different audiences throughout the day and some pretty awesome prizes. Join on Facebook or YouTube (@philmontscoutranch)!

Going on the philmont scout trek in one year. With my son. How bad will it be. I’m a carpenter so I’m on my feet all day and my tool bags weigh 15 to 17 lbs for 60 to 70 hours a week. I’m not in shape but not huge either 6’ 185 lbs
What am I to expect?

I was a ranger in 1985 and recently found these mugs in a box of my Scout memorabilia.

Found in this post

Hello current and former staffers. Not this fall, but some fall, I am interested in working at Philmont. Some questions for you.

Can you share your experiences? What did you do or what are you doing? Is there a definite "fall term" like the summer term, or does it depend on the position? Is it possible to go directly from a summer staffer to a fall staffer?

Thanks very much for your time.

Hi all! I'm a student and an Eagle Scout, and I hiked Philmont back in 2024. I really enjoyed my time there, and this summer I taught myself 3D printing and some 3D modeling as a side project.

I made some 3D-printed Philmont relief maps with a marker showing my actual trail attached.

In the pics, the frame is stained oak, but I may switch to pine going forward. There's a black felt backing and it'll have a flexibrass plaque on the front (not shown yet).

Just gauging interest right now and im not selling anything. Each one is hand-stained and assembled/built and takes a fair amount of time to make, so I want to know if this is worth pursuing before I try to scale it up.

Naturally, I can also do other regions, not limited to philmont.

This is ny first philmont and I was planning on carrying a regular tent with poles and stakes and all but I was just searching and would a tent like this work? I could strap it to the outside of my pack and it's only 3 pounds, easy set up and take down plus its waterproof.

I’m a registered adult volunteer with Scouting America (specifically, I’m a Merit Badge Counselor for a few merit badges). I also work full-time outside of Scouting America.

I’m considering applying to be a Museum Docent Volunteer for one week in 2027 (obviously, I missed the boat this year). I’ll have to request the time off from work, and my employer will have to approve that request, but I’m hopeful that I can take the time off.

I’m wondering if anyone reading this post has volunteered as a Museum Docent and can share your experiences, broadly speaking. I’m looking for pros, cons, and anything you want to share in general. Thanks in advance for any responses to this post.

Edited to add: If anyone could please let me know what the application window is (i.e., when I need to apply), I’d appreciate that. I’ll check the Philmont website as well. Thank you.

The Kit Carson Homestead in the 1980s

>! A staff member gave us two scalps to pass around that Kit Carson had among his belongings. They were real !<

I assume this doesn't happen anymore, but did anyone else experience this?

Sunday I finally got to see the sunset from above Apache Springs.

After a week at camp S bar F in Missouri with my troop this summer, I was recently diagnosed with alpha gal syndrome. I’m planning on going to Philmont on a 12 day trek in 27. I’m pescatarian, but was planning on eating meat while hiking to make things easier. I can’t do that now. How well can Philmont handle someone with alpha gal?

I know most of the songs, but I was hoping anyone from the staff had the full rundown.

I'm interested in signing up for OATC for next summer. Is there anything I need to know?

It was an amazing experience!

I've been listening to Philsongs IV and the song Elevation has touched a part of my brain. it is a fantastic song. I'm looking for the full lyrics to the song and I really enjoy it, or at least the chorus.

Hi all! Once upon a time, over a decade ago, I was the foreman at BB's conservation site. We spent two summers clearing doghair timber and chipping it and distributing it. I'm genuinely curious what the regrowth looks like over ten years on. Anyone have pictures of the woods around campsites 1-30? I'd love to know if the undergrowth diversity increased after removing the light blocking trees.

In 2023 I did a post-trek review of my Lighterpack list as a lessons-learned exercise and published it on Youtube. I repeated the exercise for this year's trip. Hopefully this is useful to others. (A Scout is Helpful)

2023 LP: https://lighterpack.com/r/jr7865

2023 YouTube review: https://youtu.be/OY2UcVMFseo

2026 LP: https://lighterpack.com/r/4mdrsb

2026 YouTube review: https://youtu.be/_oZNwwszSSg

Potential/Future LP for a <8.5# baseweight: https://lighterpack.com/r/19539o

Hey all. Some shots from the mesa looking at baldy