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…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 591.0 A quiet day in Magdalena and I’m not complaining. Strolled down to the cafe and had a breakfast burrito smothered with green chili sauce. Checked out the maps and updated water report for the next section and made some headway on new book. Watched enough CNN to realize that I haven’t really missed anything. I wished the mother of my children and beautiful wife a Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow. Beardoh and Sweet Pea got…
Daily Miles: 7.0, Total Miles: 591.0 I woke up too early this morning – I guess anxious to get to town, maybe hunger. Hit the road with my headlamp to guide me but didn’t need it long. A beautiful, colorful sunrise coming into Magdalena – the sky looked like it was on fire. I got to the Magdalena Cafe just as they were opening up. Then to Wells Fargo just as they were opening up. Another good thing I got…
Daily Miles: 24.2, Total Miles: 584.0 I nearly walked to Mt Withington Lookout before turning down Potato Trail that led me to Potato Canyon. The forest was burnt most of the way down which no doubt contributed to the severe erosion in the creek. I mostly stayed in the wash which eventually had some flowing water. Potato Wash eventually joined Big Rosa Canyon and I had lunch and refilled water at the Cooney Windmill and tank. A pipe gushing fresh…
Daily Miles: 20.8, Total Miles: 559.8 First order of business today was another climb, this time to Blue Mountain at over 10,000 ft. Great 360-degree views of where I’ve been and where I’m going. Worked my way down to Water Canyon to Pothole Spring and filled up for a long dry spell. Now that I’ve lost all my elevation there was nowhere to go but up. I followed Indian Creek up a wash then switchbacked up to Grassy Lookout at…
