Re: Sanger Lumber Company & Converse Basin Exploration

To be clear.

I was only writing what the BSA Rangers of Philmont Scout Ranch were saying. Based on my knowledge for sometime (but not in 1981), I figure the railroad was not the D&RGW as they reported but was a logging railroad and probably narrow gauge. As for the giant trees said to be once in the area, there was only one that I personally saw. I am by no means very knowledgeable about trees or species. I am a carpenter and as such I know there are more than a handful of types of trees. However, comparing the tree I stood next to and the ones in the Sequioa National Park that I stood next too, they were of comparable size and type. I don’t doubt they are not the same species, but would guess them to be cousins perhaps as this is the only conclusion I can think of. I too would not believe had I not touched it myself. You could not even see the top as it was to high and with other foliage, to big to get to an open enough area to see it all. The base of the tree in NM was about 14’ diameter, enough that it took 10 people with their arms out to come close to ringing it, but we failed.

Now, this weirdo challenges someone to please set me straight since I have clearly offended people much smarter than I with my ignorance. The general location is in the northern part of the Scout Ranch. I will see if I can locate my old Philmont maps and pinpoint it better. Good luck. Personally I agree my claim is a head scratcher and as such would love to see a good explanation, that goes beyond the encyclopedia.

Phil