What To See and Do on Your Philmont New Mexico Tour
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What to See and Do
Albuquerque
Northern NM
Santa Fe Trail
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Planning and Logistics
Managing the Scouts
Managing the Trip
Sample Itinerary
Suggested Reading
New Mexico's Three Cultures
Whatever you choose to do, try to arrange your visit to get some exposure to each of the three major cultures of New Mexico:- Native American Indian - prehistoric cliff dwellers, Pueblo, Navajo, dances, archeology, pottery, silver jewelry
- Hispanic - conquistadors, colonization, New Mexican style food, old churches and religious artifacts
- Anglo - cowboys, trappers and traders, Kit Carson, Santa Fe Trail, Georgia O'Keefe, and atomic weapons.
Visit a Museum
There are many museums in New Mexico that can help Philmont-bound Scouts learn about the area they are visiting. You can choose a museum that focuses on history, art, anthropology, technology, natural history, or Native American culture. Some museums are conveniently located near the Plazas in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos. Others are more out of the way. You may want to think about how a museum choice supports or complements the interest areas covered on your Philmont itinerary. See the links at the left for more information on museums in Albuquerque and northern New Mexico.Shop in the Plazas
The Spanish colonists usually built their New Mexico towns around a central square or plaza. Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos all have plazas that retain some of their historical charm and serve the tourist trade with restaurants, museums, art galleries, and many shops. You will see silver and turquoise jewelry by Native American craftsmen, pottery of the distinct types of each Pueblo, traditional and modern southwestern paintings and sculpture, leather craft, and the usual tourist and various gift items. Be sure to spend some time at at least one plaza to give the boys a chance to soak up the atmosphere, poke around, and buy postcards, a T-shirt, or souvenirs. Anything that seems too cheap is probably made outside the U.S., which may be fine for a souvenir -- just be aware if you are looking for authentic crafts. Encourage Scouts to bring back something for their siblings. "My brother went to Philmont, but I got this cool ... whatever".Take a Hike
Scouts like activity. You may want to work a short hike into your plans to work off your crew's excess energy and get the adults used to exertion at high altitude. Some possibilities are: (1) Sandia Crest (10,678 feet) you can drive to the top and take the informative nature trail with great views of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Valley. We were told by our driver that large busses are not allowed at the Crest but other sources report parking for busses is $10 there. So check with your transport company to see if they are willing to make the 1-hour trip to the Crest from Albuquerque. (2) The La Luz Trail starts in the foothills east of Albuquerque (at about 6,000 feet) in semi-desert terrain and can be followed all the way up to Sandia Crest (for a full day hike). We took a short hike here, going part way up the trail. (3) Bandelier National Monument is a good place for day hikes. Shorter trails at Bandelier can be followed from the visitor center to the group campground or for a walk in Frijoles Canyon. (4) If you want a full day hike there are trails in the Pecos Wilderness area east of Santa Fe. For all hikes check with local rangers about parking and use fees.It is summer, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and wide-brim hats. When hiking, especially in foothills and desert areas, make sure your Scouts watch where they step and quickly move away if they see or hear a rattlesnake. If you do encounter a rattlesnake, you can expect your Scouts to be both apprehensive and curious. Some will be more curious than apprehensive. Tell them not to try moving a rattlesnake with a stick -- even if repositioning might make for a better photograph. You might think I wouldn't need to mention this, but I have seen Scouts do some dumb things.
Attend Church
New Mexico has many old and historic churches, often adobes in the Spanish mission style. Many are still in use and offer the opportunity to attend Roman Catholic services in an interesting setting. Our Catholic Scouts attended Mass at the Church of San Felipe de Neri (founded 1706) in Albuquerque's Old Town. We made a courtesy call (505-243-4628) in advance to let them know we would be attending. Another possibility in Albuquerque, if you are staying at Kirtland Air Force base on a Sunday, is the Kirtland Air Force Base Chapel. Call 505-853-1286 for services and times.In Santa Fe, an interesting church option near the Plaza is the St. Francis Cathedral, built in 1869, which offers a variety of services. Coggan (see suggested reading) recommends its 8:00 AM Sunday Mass in Spanish with choir and Mariachi band music for its impressive vividness. On the Sunday morning I attended this service, the sermon was in English (though the rest of the service was in Spanish) and, while the music had a Mariachi flavor it wasn't a full band -- very worthwhile nonetheless, and we met a Scouter and his son their way to Philmont.(Phone: 505-982-5619 for information).
Use Tour Guides
Be sure to ask and arrange in advance for guides at the museums, pueblos, and historic sites you will visit. On-site guides can help your Scouts really understand what they are seeing. Guides are often able to tailor talks to the Scouts' interests and put information in a context they can relate to. Hispanic or Native American guides, or retired long-time New Mexican residents, can add the perspective of culture, family history, and personal experiences. College-age guides also relate well and can keep the Scouts' attention. The few extra dollars you spend on guide fees and tips will be well worth it.Ride the Trail
If you didn't get the trail ride itinerary you wanted at Philmont or if you have serious equestrians in your group, you may want to consider a trail ride provided by an outfitter or guest ranch. There are many opportunities for horse trips in northern New Mexico with great scenery. You can arrange anything from a short or all-day ride to an overnight camping excursion. Be sure to check on the skill level expected. Ask whether you will be in the Rio Grande Valley, mesa (plateau) areas, high plains, foothills, mountains, or high-country to know what to expect as to terrain and weather. In July 2002, when the high country forests were closed due to fires, I took a couple of very interesting trail rides with great scenery exploring the canyons and foothills on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. See New Mexico Trail Rides and Horseback Adventures.For longer family trips, I have known people who firmly believe that a guest ranch (dude ranch) makes the best of all possible family vacations. You might start your web search with NM Dude Ranches.
Raft the Rivers
The New Mexico peak season for white water rafting is May and June so unless your guys are out of school early and have an early Philmont start date you will miss the highest water. Depending on when and where you go, you can face challenging class four rapids in the Taos Box or have a relaxed scenic voyage in the lower Rio Grande Gorge. Ask about expected conditions for the time you will be going. See: Los Rios River Runners, and Rio Grande River Tours."This trip was fabulous and educational."
Paul, Asst. Scoutmaster,
Troop 51
"The best part of the tour was walking around town and going in stores near the place where the people were selling bracelets and jewelry on the side of the street."
James, Troop 51
"All day long on the prairie I ride,
Not even a dog to trot by my side."
Cowboy song
"The Box is considered the third most difficult one-day raft trip in any river in the United States."
Michael Frary