General Information

In the summer of 2002, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) accepted the gift of the Double H Ranch from the Bob Torstenson Estate. In May of 2002, Mr. Torstenson had passed away from an aggressive form of stomach cancer. In the fall of that year, the RMEF approached Philmont Scout Ranch about providing a youth program on the Double H Ranch, one of Mr. Torstenson's wishes. In the fall of 2003, an agreement was signed and a partnership was formed. The Double H Ranch has now been renamed to the Torstenson Wildlife Center and crews will have a chance to experience the dream of Mr. Torstenson. For more information about Mr. Torstenson and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, go to www.rmef.org

Location and Terrain

The Double H High Adventure Base, is a partnership between the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Boy Scouts of America, and is operated by Philmont Scout Ranch. The Double H is located southwest of Albuquerque, surround by the Cibola National Forest. With no established trail system, the Double H is a rugged southwestern experience covering over 100,000 acres and elevations over 7,000 feet.

History

The Double H has a unique history of ancient Indians who chiseled writings into canyon walls...Spanish conquistadors who explored the Southwest long before the first colonists arrived on the Atlantic cost...Miners searched the area for the riches of the earth, and cattle grazed on the green grass.

Wildlife

The Double H is abundant with wildlife-deer, elk, coyote, antelope, mountain ion, buffalo, wild turkey, bear, and others. Its hills and canyons teem with birds, trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses.

Beauty

The Double H is rich in natural beauty. It is a southwestern area where the Plains of San Augustine meet the Galinas Mountains. The western ponderosa forest meets up with pinion juniper forest of the eastern part of the Ranch, giving two different hiking experiences.

Program

The Double H gives you an experience unlike any High Adventure. You will have a chance to hike cross country utilizing Leave No Trace Principles. Along the way, your Wilderness Guide will be providing programs for your crew like astronomy, challenge/team events, geo-caching, and much more. At the Martin Camp, you will have a chance to shoot state of the art black powder and participant in a western dinner. All in all, a recipe for a great adventure full of fun and the outdoors.

Fellowship

The Double H means camping with your unit as well as meeting and sharing experiences with other crews from all over America and from other countries. This is an opportunity for fellowship and understanding unequalled anywhere in America.

Staff

The Double H, as part of Philmont Scout Ranch, has the finest staff in America. Each man and woman on the seasonal staff is carefully selected and trained. Scouting spirit, knowledge of camping skills, keen interest in their respective program specialties, and a love for the Double H make the staff dedicated to seeing that you have a rewarding and memorable experience.

Map to the Double H

Directions

The Double H is surrounded by rich history of the southwest. It is located between Datil and Magdalena, New Mexico. This area of New Mexico is full of mining history and outlaws.

As you travel south on Interstate 25 you come to one of the larger towns in the area, Socorro. Socorro is home of New Mexico Tech University and the operations center of the Very Large Array. As you head west on Highway 60, you can see Baldy Mountain south of the Highway. As you continue, you approach the village of Magdalena. Once a mining and livestock town, Magdalena is a jumping off point to some of the most remote areas of New Mexico.

As you crest out of Magdalena, you will come to the Plains of San Augustine. This dry sea bed is home of the VLA (Very Large Array). These Satellite dishes, the size of a baseball diamond, are part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. To the north of the highway, in the distance, you will see the G alinas Mountains, your home for the next week. The entrance to the Double H is to your right/north side of the road.