CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Members of local Scouts BSA Troop 5170 have returned home to Pickaway County following a grueling, 12-day high-adventure expedition through the wilderness of Cimarron, New Mexico.
The troop, which is chartered at Trinity Lutheran Church in Circleville, completed “Trek 12-11” at the renowned Philmont Scout Ranch. The trek spanned over 120 miles of high-altitude hiking, taking the crew deep into remote backcountry trails and testing their endurance, leadership, and outdoor skills.
Traversing the Wild West
The expedition began at Philmont Base Camp, situated at an elevation of 6,700 feet, before the team pushed deeper into the mountains. A major milestone of the trip came when the Scouts summited Baldy Mountain, reaching a peak elevation of 12,441 feet above sea level.
Along the trail, the crew participated in a variety of frontier activities at backcountry camps, including black-powder rifle shooting, gold panning, and homesteading demonstrations. The Scouts also completed wilderness service projects, aiding in trail clearing and working on a backcountry railroad spur track.
To prepare for the physical demands of high-altitude backpacking, Troop 5170 spent the preceding year conducting long-distance conditioning hikes and overnight shakedown trips carrying full gear packs.
Train Rides and Deep-Dish Pizza
The journey itself was part of the adventure. The troop boarded an Amtrak train in Portsmouth, traveling through Chicago aboard the Southwest Chief line into Raton, New Mexico.
Following the completion of their trek, the crew celebrated with a historic dinner in Cimarron at the St. James Hotel—a 19th-century landmark famed for hosting iconic Wild West figures such as Wyatt Earp and Annie Oakley. On their return trip, the Scouts spent time exploring Chicago and celebrated their trek with authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza.
“A Philmont trek is far more than a hike — it is a leadership crucible and a team-building experience that shapes young people for life,” said Scoutmaster Trevor Siders, who served as an adult advisor on the expedition.
How to Get Involved
Following their return, Troop 5170 is inviting local youth interested in outdoor adventure and leadership to join the organization.
- Meeting Location: Noecker Hall at Trinity Lutheran Church (Second floor; enter near the parking lot at Pickaway St. and Mound St.)
- Meeting Time: Mondays from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
- More Information: Interested families can find details or request information online via the Troop 5170 BeAScout Portal.
