Larry Goldsmith's 1998 Philmont Journal
July 11, 1998: Day 8 - Comanche Peak to Sawmill
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We arose at 6 and had breakfast in camp before hitting the trail. During breakfast a mule deer walked right near where Denis and I were sitting. We got on the trail at 7:50. On the way down the trail there were some beautiful views out towards Cimarron and Tooth Ridge before we got to Thunder Ridge Camp. |
| On the way between Thunder Ridge and Sawmill there were more beautiful views back towards Phillips and Comanche Peak. As much of the trail between Thunder Ridge and Sawmill is new, the maps were not accurate. We even found a new section of unopened trail that we followed for about 300 to 400 yards before it deadended. When we backtracked, we made sure to place a big X of logs across the trail at that point to prevent others from making the same mistake. |  View back to Phillips and Comanche  Which way do we go? |
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We arrived at Sawmill at 10:35 and checked in to get a camp site. We then set up camp and had lunch before going down to program at 12:45. The program at Sawmill is 30-06 ammo reloading and rifle shooting. We were each able to reload 3 shells and then take those shells over to the range and fire them. Dave Thomas sacrificed a t-shirt as a target and had placed it on one of the metal silhouettes so the shell caused major damage to the shirt. |
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| After program we headed back to camp and there was time to do laundry over at the shower house. Taking showers was out as the water was heated by a wood stove that we would be required to light, wait for the water to warm, and then watch the fire until it was dead out. Unfortunately, another crew in camp was not consciencious about the rules and when we arrived there was still a fire smoultering in the the stove. I spent awhile putting it out. |
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The staff cabin at Sawmill has a beautiful view down through the valley and out to Cimarron and the Great Plains. During Advisors' Coffee, there was a rainbow out over the Plains. A spectacular way to end the day.
