This was my 5th time on this trek and 6th philmont trek. You start off in Bent camp instead of Souix, an easy hike from Ponil turnaround. Take the trail if possible instead of the road. We had to take the road from souix as a bear was working the trail. The hike to Rich cabins is an easy hike and the program is good.
Rich cabins is no-trace camping so finding trees for bear bags can be interesting.
First real elevation climb, but keep a steady pace and you should do fine. Not as hard as the trip up from Bent to wilson mesa. Look for an overturned water tank that is covered by rust and you are at the trail head. We had plenty of time to spend on top. We thought this would be faster than going down the front side to baldy town.