Mount Phillips (New Mexico)

Mount Phillips is a prominent peak located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. It is the second highest peak in the Philmont Scout Ranch, a large Boy Scouts of America wilderness area. Its elevation is 11,741 feet (3,579 meters).

The mountain is a popular destination for backpacking and hiking, especially for scouts participating in treks at Philmont. Trails to the summit are challenging, involving significant elevation gain and exposure to alpine conditions. Hikers are advised to be prepared for rapidly changing weather and potential hazards.

Mount Phillips is named after Waite Phillips, a wealthy oilman and philanthropist who donated much of the land that constitutes Philmont Scout Ranch to the Boy Scouts of America in 1938. The mountain is a prominent landmark within the ranch and a symbolic challenge for those who attempt to climb it. The summit offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The mountain's geological composition is primarily metamorphic and sedimentary rock. The ecosystem around Mount Phillips supports a variety of alpine flora and fauna.