CDT Day 25: Grants to Mt Taylor

Daily Miles: 22.1, Total Miles: 421.7

So nice to leave Grants! Probably ten pounds lighter even after wolfing down a big breakfast this morning before hitting the road.

A few miles walking down old Route 66 – kind of sad seeing the boarded-up businesses. Grants used to be a mining town, mostly uranium, but before that, I was told by a local, known for growing carrots. Now the major business in town is correctional facilities and I walked by one on the way to the CDT TH. I exchanged waves with some guy pumping weights in a yard close to the road.

After entering Cibola National Forest, the trail immediately started climbing with good views of Mt Taylor.

I decided to take an alternative trail to go over the top of the peak at 11,300 ft. Arrived about 7:15pm after a 5,000 ft climb and so glad I did – 360-degree views and a beautiful sunset!

I camped just below the summit in a stand of trees – going to be nippy tonight.