"This is my 5th and last attempt, unless something miraculous happens. I have hiked all the highest 192 peaks in New Mexico, minus the 2 peaks in the center of the Taos Pueblo. I am missing those 2 peaks not by will, but by the respectful way. For odd reasons, I have never been able to meet with the War Chief of Taos Pueblo before to personally ask, and I was determined to make it happen this year. Taos Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo both claim to be the oldest continuously inhabited cities in North America, both being inhabited for upward to 1000 years. The War Chief’s name is Carpio Bernal. His link to this title goes back to antiquity, before recorded time. He is responsible for protecting the Taos Pueblo land. We talked on the phone Tuesday morning and he was more than happy to meet with me. The 2 Taos Peaks and Blue Lake are considered “sacred land,” off limits to the public. I was not quite sure of the level of off-limits, so I was hoping. I brought a conditional $4000 cashier’s check for the preservation of the Taos Pueblo Land and $1000 cash for a guide to go with me, if necessary, $5000 total. (I list this price to convey an understanding of what the accomplishment meant to me.) I..." — Phil-Robinson • Aug 29, 2024

"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