Open Meadows

• Day:  32
• Start:  12 + 714
• End:  25 + 717
• Miles:  16
• Hours:  9
• High temp:  77
• Low temp:  45
• People met:  0

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Morning walk out of Ghost Ranch

Maps spread all over the table. Scout, Grim, Old School, Teresa (CDT Coalition) and I are figuring our last leg of New Mexico.  Snow is blocking the last 10 miles or so, but we pool our resources and make a reasonable plan. About 20 hikers all enjoyed a "all you can eat" breakfast in the dining hall.  This hiker community is just great, full of positive, likable people. 

So the way out is up pretty much all day, there are some flat spots. I hike to the top of a couple of mesas for a nice view. 

Looking south

I use my umbrella again as the sun is intense. I'm ringing wet by the time I've reached the top. There are healthy cacti in this section, so many I have to be extra careful to avoid the stickers. 

The trail goes through a holding pen for cows. Nothing unusual as I've passed many such pens. Today there are many bulls postering amoung themselves. They are kicking up dust and making a noisy racket. They are big animals, making me think of cartoons where the mad bull kicks up dust and has steam coming from his nostrils, then he charges like a locomotive. I'll just go around this mess, fences everywhere I can't. So I walk right down the road, I am eyed closely, but they all seem to move away from me, even the big black guy who is the most fearce looking. I step across the cattle guard and give a sigh of relief, then make a hasty hike out if there as one bull is in my side of the fence. 

I continue to climb and the world opens up to lush green meadows and aspens. 

The grass is filled with the happy color of dandelions. Everywhere I look there are wild iris popping up getting ready to bloom, literally thousands. I notice only about 3 that  have decided to bloom. What a brilliant purple show is coming in the next week or so. 

Happily I spot my water source, a full flowing spring. Cold and sweet very good water. 

One last open meadow to cross before I stop for the night.  I've got to get to a place that has trees, pine needles and a breeze to keep me dry tonight. This meadow is beautiful, but I can feel the moisture coming out of the ground already, my tent would be soaked in the morning.  

So here is the view from my bedroom window.

Ghost Ranch

• Day:  31
• Start:  671
• End:  685 + 12
• Miles:  26
• Hours:  10
• High temp:  89
• Low temp:  36
• People met:  too many to count

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Climbing a Mesa this morning 

 So nice to climb in the cool morning hours.  Once I summit  the Mesa it's almost downhill for the rest of the day. The forest on top has desert type conifers

A stream winding through a canyon 

I drop into a canyon with a nice little stream. The canyon winds its way just like the Gila. I am constantly crossing this stream, the good news is I don't get wet. 

The trail empties out into a brush covered valley with dramatic walls of multi colored rock. The air is so clear making everything especially bright. 

Soon I cross the Rio Chama on skull bridge. I tried to find out why it's called that, but there is no obvious reason. 

Skull bridge 

Rio Chama

Now the sun is bearing down and the next 11 miles on a dirt road is without shade. I deploy my crome dome umbrella and hike, thankful for the shade it provides. 

Old School

For most if this trip Old School and I have loosely hiked together. We are now just about ready to make a highway walk to Ghost Ranch. 

The Ranch is an oasis surrounded by beautiful mesas. This is the off season I guess because it's not very crowded here. Many use this place as a conference center or team building get away. There are bungalows, family quarters, camping and dorms. Among the many amenities are a library, museum, horses, and a nice dining hall. 

Check in 

Easterly view from my bungalow 

Sunrise across the grassy area between the road and the complex

Scout and Frodo are here along with Scout's sister and brother-in-law. They thoughtfully host an evening meal which draws about 20 thru hikers. We all enjoy a delightful time with positive feelings sharing our experiences.  Scout and Frodo have a natural ability to gather people together, they inspire kindness and happiness. The evening fellowship was blessed by a pre meal blessing in which we all joined hands during the prayers. Scout's remarkable sister made a delicious meal of stew, salad, and brownies. We all ate and drank with gusto, then did it again. I am thankful for Scout and Frodo's willingness to organize us for meals. The effect of their efforts continues throughout the hike as we all get to know one another. 

Dinner on the porch