Mount Phillips (New Mexico) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Phillips |
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Mount Phillips (tallest mountain, at center) seen from Baldy Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 11,742 ft (3,579 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 2,901 ft (884 m) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Phillips
Location in New Mexico
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| Parent range | Cimarron Range, Sangre de Cristo Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Garcia Peak (NM) |
Mount Phillips is a tall mountain in New Mexico. It was once called Clear Creek Mountain. In 1960, it was renamed to honor Waite Phillips. He was a kind person who gave this land to the Boy Scouts of America.
The mountain is in Colfax County. It is about 11 miles (18 km) south of Baldy Mountain. Mount Phillips is part of the Cimarron Range. This range is a smaller part of the larger Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Exploring Philmont Scout Ranch
Mount Phillips is the second highest peak at Boy Scouts of America's Philmont Scout Ranch. This ranch is a huge outdoor adventure camp. The mountain is in the central part of the ranch, on its western edge.
It's fairly easy to hike to Mount Phillips from a nearby peak called Comanche Peak. However, climbing up from Clear Creek is much steeper. The summit of Mount Phillips is 11,742 feet (3,579 m) high!
There are four trail camps close to the summit. These are Mount Phillips, Comanche Peak, Thunder Ridge, and Red Hills Camps. Most of these camps do not have water. The closest camp with water is Clear Creek staff camp.
What is Mount Phillips Made Of?
Mount Phillips is mostly made of a type of rock called pink gneiss. You can see small pieces of this rock on the trails. The very top of the mountain has a flagpole. This flagpole marks the true summit.
You might also see a few crosses near the top. These crosses were put there by different groups and mean a lot to them. The top of the mountain has few trees. This means you get amazing views to the north, east, and west!
Looking south, the view isn't as open because the ground slopes gently. But from a slightly lower spot, called the southern false summit, you can get a great view of the Angel Fire Ski Area.
