Elevation: 8,078 ft
GPS coordinates: W 105 1 37  N 36 31 02 

Temperatures: High  degrees - Low degrees 

Harlan to Deer Lake

1.75 Miles

Total: 26.25 Miles

Dear Lake   

      The Hike to Deer Lake did not look very far on the map.  Most of the hike was on a 4 wheel drive Jeep trail.  Jeep trails are generally not designed for human hikers.  The ascent was very steep and the going was slow.  The crew was carrying extra water in the 2 - Gallon jugs which made it even more difficult.  With quite a few breather stops and one 20 minute pack off break we reached the camp with plenty of daylight left.

      The camp setup was becoming routine and each crew member knew what they need to do to get the camp set up properly.  Once the camp was all set up it was time for the Dinner meal.  After the meal most of the crew played cards or chess.  The view of the lake was nice but the water level was relatively low.  

     It was an early turn-in for all.  The noise level subsided shortly after 8:00 PM.  There were no clouds to speak of and very little chance of rain.

     The wake up time was agreed to be 5:30 AM with the hopes of being on the trail by 6:30 AM.  The challenge was met and we were on the trail by 6:15 AM just before sunrise.

     The hike took us to the northwest past Deer Meadow camp and down the back side of the steepest mountain we would encounter on this trek.  We were glad we were not hiking up this side.  The three mile to Ute Gulch from Deer Lake went by real quickly.  We stopped for about an hour at Ute Gulch to re-stock our food supply and water.  Ute Gulch had a supply of Oranges and Apples which was a nice change from the packaged trail snacks.  We listened to the story behind the need for the electric fence around the Ute Gulch Commissary.  Then we were told by a staff member that Sawmill camp was a two hour easy hike from Ute Gulch.  It turned out that it is almost impossible to do the five miles from Ute Gulch to Sawmill Camp in two hours.

    The hike was through some of the nicest terrain we had seen so far. The rock formations and the Aspen trees were breath taking.  We stopped at Lower Sawmill Camp for lunch under a large tree.  The temperature was warm and a nice breeze blew through the trees to cool us off.  When we resumed our hike towards Sawmill Camp we came upon 4 deer at the side of the trial.  Four three horned bucks were standing there to welcome us.  We were very quiet and watched them for a while.  Very Cool.  The last mile into Sawmill camp is a very steep uphill and none really enjoyed the climb.  The only pleasure was knowing we would return on this part of the trail tomorrow and it would be downhill.

     We arrived at Sawmill camp a little after 2:00 PM.  After the porch talk, and arrangements were made to do the 30.6 rifle program in the morning it was time to head to our campsite.  Our camp was number nine and was very level for a Philmont camp.  We were not too far from the showers and water.  Some took showers, and some should have.  Many washed their dirty laundry and some did not.  The showers water was heated by a wood burning stove.  The shower felt great and the sun was hot so the laundry would surely dry before dusk.  It didn't.  Since the rifle program was set for eight in the morning there was plenty of time to rest and play cards, etc. 

    Dinner was being prepared when it became cloudy and threatened to rain.  It only rained for a few minutes then stooped and dinner was a success.  I think it was the Tooth of Time chicken or Teriyaki Chicken and mashed potatoes.  A very nice meal and probably the favorite of most of the crew.  More cards and time to turn in.

    During the porch talk the staff members had told us where the best place to watch the sunrise in the morning.  Most of the crew was up before the sun and met by the water tower to watch the sunrise.  The sunrise was very nice.  We ate breakfast and prepared to go to the 30.6 rifle program. John instructed the crew on the methods used to load the ammo.  All the crew members created three rounds each and the staff threw in 2 more to make the total of five shots each.  

    Some of the crew finished early and had the energy and time to saw a few logs for the camp staff.  Always a nice gesture and they had fun doing it.  Brandon's birthday is today and the camp staff were nice enough to give him a container of cake frosting and several vanilla pudding cups.  It was time to go to the rifle range.  Another hike. We walked for what seemed miles to the secluded rifle range. The instructor explained rifle safety and the rules of the range.  He also explained that each member could shoot at a personal item of their own instead of aiming at the metal targets.  Robert shot at his wallet, Do and Chris at their hats.  Five rounds go by pretty quickly and most wished we had more rounds to shoot.  

    We returned back to camp at about 9:30 AM and began to break camp.  At lunch time we cooked another Dinner for lunch because Websters Park was a dry camp and we wanted to conserve water.  We were ready to leave Sawmill Camp at a little after 1:00 PM.  The first few miles were downhill and the crew's pace was quite fast.  When we reached the trail fork to Websters Park Camp it turned sharply to the right and straight up a hill.  This was probably the steepest grade we had tackled so far.  Good thing it only lasted for about 3/4 of a mile then it leveled off and the rest of the trail was relatively level.