"Attempt #4 - July 24th to September 12th 2023 Monday July 24, 2023 the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper did a whole page article about my New Mexico Peakbagging. I had been looking for a time to go to Taos to meet with the Taos Pueblo War Chief and Pueblo Governor to see if I could hike Pueblo Peak West, 12,305 and Pueblo Peak East, 12,160. I was hoping that they would accept a donation of $3000 for the preservation of the Taos Pueblo land and I brought another $1000 to see if I could pay for a “guide” to go with me. My money is small scale, so I wasn’t expecting too much. I drove to Taos on Thursday, July 27, 2023 with 2 newspaper articles and the cash. The War Chief was occupied so I left the articles with the secretary and she planned to give it to the War Chief and later the Governor. She said she would get back to me. After I made numerous calls over the next month, I heard my request was going to Tribal Counsel. I was excited about it because requests don’t typically go this far. They never really got back to me, I didn’t want to push hard and by September 12th I understood my request was either not heard or the answer was, ”No.” These are the only 2 peaks, of the highes..." — Phil-Robinson • Jul 27, 2023

"This was one of my hardest trips ever! It is much easier for me to hike peaks than not hike peaks!! I left Taos very disappointed that I was not able to hike Pueblo Peak West, 12,305 and Pueblo Peak East, 12,160 respectfully. It made it even a bit more difficult when a distant acquaintance snuck on recently, and 3 other people have done the same. I could have had the peaks 3 times over if I did that. My goal was to hike all the highest New Mexico peaks (184) as respectfully as possible. I made my goal lacking these 2 peaks because to get them I would have had to sacrifice another part of my goal. Let me tell you I made my best effort to get permission and it was more difficult leaving not hiking the peaks than if I had hiked the peaks. I went to Taos Wednesday September 28, 2022, and was going to try to meet with the Taos Pueblo Warchief right away, but they said maybe noon the next day. I had a white friend years ago that had a Taos Pueblo friend and was able to go to Blue Lakes as his guest. The 2 Pueblo Peaks are sacred unless one has enough money to go with guides big horn sheep hunting. I don’t have that kind of money, but I brought along $3000. to make a donation for pres..." — Phil-Robinson • Sep 29, 2022

"Pueblo Peak, elevation 12,305 and Pueblo Peak West, elevation 12,160 are in the middle of Taos Indian Reservation land. These are 2 of 6 peaks that I need. I preplanned 2 GPS routes to the top. The total hike would have been about 8 miles and it would have had an elevation gain of about 4100 feet. I noticed that some other people snuck on the land and someone suggested that I do that, but I wanted to do the peaks with permission. You can end up in jail for hiking the peaks but that is not my reason. I would like to respectfully hike the peaks with permission. This is my second attempt to seek to legitimately hike the peaks. I drove to Taos on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 and stayed at a lodge close to the Taos Indian Reservation. I had a friend that years ago was able to hike on Taos Reservation land because he had a friend go with him. It was my plan to try to hire a guide and new found friend to go with me. Over the 2 days I was in Taos I tried about a dozen leads, but to no avail. One lady working in a business, said that her brother had lots of Taos Indian Reservation friends and maybe one of them I could hire as a guide. I planned to pay her $100, the brother $300 and the guide $1..." — Phil-Robinson • Jun 17, 2021

"I went to Taos, New Mexico with my wife from Thursday July 3rd through July 6th 2014 to try to hire a guide to hike Pueblo Peak, elevation 12305 and Pueblo Peak West, elevation 12160. We rented a beautiful Spanish style house within walking distance of the Taos Plaza. I would have had these peaks years ago but I did not want to sneak on Taos land to get them. I had a friend, who had a friend that was a Taos Pueblo member and he was able to go with him pretty much anywhere as a guest. My goal of going to Taos was to find a Taos Pueblo member that I might be able to hire as a guide, and a new friend, to do the two peaks. While my wife stayed in the Taos Plaza area I went into the pueblo and other locations to see if I could hire someone. Even though I tried, I was not able to find someone to hire as a guide or give me permission, so sadly I was not able to hike the 2 peaks this weekend. We did enjoy wonderful dinners together and saw a fun 4th of July parade in Arroyo Seco. I am counting this peak as an attempt, because all 4 days were a gallant attempt to get the two peaks. I had to turn back to the Albuquerque area not accomplishing the peaks. If I had found someone, I would be log..." — Phil-Robinson • Jun 5, 2014