Scouts traveling from Denver to Philmont

I would appreciate any sightseeing ideas for a group of approximately 16 boys scouts ages 14-17 and 4 adult leaders traveling in early August from Denver to Philmont. They will have two full days to stop and sightsee on their way to Philmont. I have agreed to help with the research for their trip. My first thought is always to turn to the experts at Trip Advisor! Any suggestions? Thanks!

Scouts traveling from Denver to Philmont

It%26#39;s not that far from Denver to the Philmont Scout Camp with two days travel time, so I would suggest you take a jog from Pueblo over to La Junta, and the excellent reproduction of Bent%26#39;s Old Fort on the Santa Fe Trail. From the fort, you will be tracing the historic route southwest to Trinidad, and over Raton Pass.

Historic Cimarron, NM is also interesting. A stop in the 19th Century, St. James Hotel, will take you back in time to the old west, and bullet holes can still be seen in it%26#39;s ceilings. The owners are usually very happy to share the town%26#39;s history with visitors.

From Cimarron, drive west through Cimarron Canyon to Eagle Nest, and on to Taos and Taos Pueblo, the latter dating back before Coronado%26#39;s time. The Martinez House is one of the last remaining fortified homes in New Mexico, built to withstand attacks by Comanches, and Apaches. Kit Carson%26#39;s House and Museum are a short walk east from the Plaza, and he, and his wife are buried nearby in the cemetary. The origins of the Philmont Boy Scout Camp began from Kit Carson%26#39;s house south of Cimarron.

Return to Philmont from Taos. You will also enjoy some beautiful scenery enroute.

Scouts traveling from Denver to Philmont

As mentioned before, you can easily get from Denver to Philmont in less than a day. I would head into the Colorado mountains as Philmont will be a bit warmer and less alpine. Our troop is waiting to hear if we got in for 2010!!

Here%26#39;s a plan....

Day 1: Depart Denver to the southwest via US285. Head to Buena Vista CO. Along the way stop in Fairplay and see South Park City (a restored mining town, not a cartoon). Once in Buena Vista area, head south to Nathrop, then west toward St Elmo, there are a number of great campgrounds there, some take reservations. fs.fed.us/r2/…sal_chalk_camp.shtml

You may have time that day to fish as well as hike around the town of St Elmo.

Day 2: Head to Great Sand Dunes National Monument as early as your bugler can get the kids going! See the dunes early as the wind picks up later in the day. www.nps.gov/grsa If you can camp that night, you can either stay inside the park or in San Luis Lakes State Park nearby. This state park loves scouts and if you notify them ahead of time, they can have a nice evening program for you. http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/SanLuis/ Our troop is headed there in April or May!

From Sand Dunes head south to Alamosa, east to Fort Garland. See the fort there. Then south to Questa NM, east to Red River and on to Cimarron.

Hope they have a great trip!