MRT Day 33: Maple Canyon & Into New Mexico

Daily Miles: 13.9, Total Miles: 472.5

The day started off easy enough following the Little Blue and then joined later by the Blue River. A couple piles of bear scat early on.

After about two miles, I turned east onto Baseline Trail and the real work began. A 2,500 ft climb on a rugged, rocky and brushy trail with Maple Canyon and Maple Peak to the south and Hobo Canyon to the north. This is one way to see impressive views of almost the entire Blue Range Primitive Area!

On the slow descent to the AZ/NM state line, I passed three bone dry stock ponds. I was eventually rewarded with piped water flowing into full troughs at Charlie Moore Springs straddling the state line. I interrupted three turkeys having a drink. I had a nice break quenching my thirst and congratulating myself on the official end of the MRT.

Not really my finish line, however, because tomorrow I will walk on to Alma, NM for a meal at the Alma Grill and await my pickup by my No. 1 Trail Angel, Mrs. Haze.