Elevation: 7,136 ft
GPS coordinates: W 104 59 52.72  N 36 26 59.00

Temperatures: High  degrees - Low degrees

Upper Clark's Fork to Tooth Ridge

5.45 Miles

Total: 50.35 Miles

     The trail to Tooth ridge goes through  Shaefers camp and climbs to near the top of Shaefer peak before hugging the ridge line.  We paused for a quick break at Shaefers camp and off to our left we again saw a female deer dart out of the woods look at us and then run up the hill out of sight.  Several other crews were in this camp eating breakfast but I don't think they were able to catch site of the deer.  We paused only to check the map for possible trail heads.  The crew identified th route we were going to take and we were off up a steep grade.

     Once on the ridge the trail became very rocky for a while.  It was very important to watch each step as you went along.  This is one area where a sprained ankle is very likely to happen.   At 10:00 AM we arrived at the trail head to the Tooth of Time ridge.  There was a large clearing at the base of the trail with several campsites.  There were at least three crews resting here with packs off and some pack lines were unattended.  These crews must have been up on the ridge.  Our crew opted to hike to our campsite, set up camp and return later in the day to hike to the peak.  We found a nice campsite.  We picked sites for the tents hung the bear bags, etc. then there was time for lunch.

      At about 2:00 PM everyone was getting anxious to climb to the peak. Everyone grabbed a bottle of water and a camera and we headed for the peak.  It was about 3/4 of a mile back to the trail head.  We began the climb up to the peak.  After several switchbacks the trail became obscured with giant boulders.  It became boulder hopping up the final 1.4 mile of the peak.  At the peak one can see a beautiful panoramic 360 degree view.  We stayed and looked for a long time.  We took several pictures of the crew and played with the ladybugs.  There were hundreds of ladybugs on the peak.  The GPS unit reported 9020 feet.  Soon some dark clouds began to approach from the northwest.   We decided to head back in case it decided to down pour.  These rocks would become very slippery.

     Once back in camp it became overcast but it did not look as if it would rain.  The crew relaxed and thought of base camp and the trip home on the train.   The trip on the Train to Philmont seemed just a distant memory. Eve though the trip was only ten days ago. The crew played some more cards and chess.  Dinner time was at about 5:00 PM.   No rain tonight.

     The morning challenge was completed in record time.  The crew had voted to get up one half hour earlier to be the firstt crew out and back to Base Camp today.  We headed out of camp just before sun up.  Only one other of the three crews in camp were stirring. We hiked out quietly.  We hiked for about an hour and stopped for breakfast in the soft sun light just after dawn.  We were just about done with breakfast when a second crew came down the trail and passed us by.  So much for being first we thought.  We gathered up or packs and started off down the trail again.  After a short time we came upon the crew again, they had stooped to have breakfast.  We smiled as we hiked passed them for the last time.   We walked for several miles without a break to create some distance between us.   On the final stretch of the trail we heard the crew behind us picking up the pace.  As they grew closer we noticed they did not have their advisor's with them.  We did not allow them to pass without their advisors as part of the crew.  They had to back off and wait for the advisors.   We reached the "You made it" sign just after 9:00 AM the other crew was kind enough to take pictures of us and we took some for them.    We had made it !!!   It was only a short walk from the sign to the staging area.