One week off the trail and still feeling somewhat fatigued. Finally got up early enough to go for a walk this morning before it gets too hot. I can really feel the peroneal tendon under my ankle that I damaged before I started the hike. Probably didn’t help the recovery process by going on a long, sometimes punishing hike. I also swam some laps yesterday but was going so slow I felt like I was swimming in place. It did…
Daily miles: 22.0, Total Miles: 760.0 I always get a bit antsy at the end of the hike and today was no exception. I was on the trail by 4am guided by my headlamp. Even had to wait for the Subway at Tijeras to open up because I was too early. Then it was up, up and up into the Sandia Mountains. At least 5,000 ft of total elevation gain, finishing at 10,00 ft Sandia Peak at about 2pm. Great…
Daily Miles: 28.5, Total Miles: 738.0 An overcast and chilly morning on the road walk into the small community of Tanique. While Beardoh, Sweet Pea and I were gorging on pastries and microwaved chimichangas, our sad entertainment across the street was a loud argument between a couple. The guy was getting kicked out of the trailer and the cops were called to the scene. A combination of walks and a short hitch got me back on the trail at Southern…
Daily Miles: 23.0, Total Miles: 709.5 I followed the Crest Trail high up in the Manzano Mountains almost all day. I met Beardoh and Sweet Pea at Spruce Spring and we hiked together for most of the day. We all agreed the hiking today was much tougher than expected (almost always is!) with a lot of elevation gain, blowdowns in the burnt sections, and a long stretch of faint and overgrown trail. The GPS got a workout. We got much…
Daily Miles: 24.0, Total Miles: 686.5 Kevin and Ruth from Turner Inn picked me up and took me to the TH. Actually no real trail – followed an arroyo for about four miles and crossed under a high railroad trestle. I walked on a dirt road up Sand Canyon into Cibola National Forest. I ran into Beardoh and Sweet Pea having lunch at Priest Shadow Spring, entering Manzano Mountain Wilderness and started climbing in earnest. Beardoh and Sweet Pea found…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 662.5 I felt better this morning after a good night’s rest, although some hunger pangs. Headed to Alpine Alley, a nearby cafe and had some eggs, bacon, a waffle and some good coffee. Much better now! I washed my clothes and cleaned my gear – getting ready for the final 100-mile push. The owner of the Inn is taking me to the trailhead tomorrow since he’s heading that way anyways. That’s great – I wanted…
Daily Miles: 17.4, Total Miles: 662.5 After getting water at Agua de Los Torres Windmill, another day walking dirt roads, cow paths, washes and cross-country. Stopped at Thompson Ranch HQ’s – no one at the house but I didn’t think they would mind me filling up water bottles. I saw several antelope on this leg. Got out to US 60 and despite sparse traffic, got a ride in 20 minutes by a local who lives in a small community beyond…
Daily Miles: 25.1, Total Miles: 645.1 Everything worked well with Soccoro Taxi and I was on the trail, actually dropped off in an arroyo, by 8am. I followed an aqueduct road down to the Rio Grande River crossing which was only knee deep. I followed washes and dirt roads along the boundary of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Had lunch and got water at the Stapleton Windmill and tank – full of water and big koi. I continued a gradual…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 620.0 I slept remarkably well considering the nearby freeway noise and train whistles. Walked about four miles down the frontage road to almost Lemitar before a nice, young gentleman on his way to work picked me up and took me into Socorro, dropping me off at Walmart. I was so excited they had a smaller gas canister – first time ever at a Walmart! Now that I was in town, I had a big breakfast…
Daily Miles: 29.0, Total Miles: 620.0 I met my 4th GET hiker as I was leaving Magdalena. One Gallon was outside the library after cowboy camping nearby. He plans to leave later today. I walked north out of town on dirt roads then cut east cross-country through flatlands. Then dipped into La Jencia Wash and got water at an electric-powered well. The tank was busy with windblown cows and calves. The warm afternoon was spent trudging through the soft sands…
