NM Los Indios to Ojo Frio, New Mexico
The trail winds through pinyon before a steep decent to desert, dotted with enormous volcanic vents and mesas.
NM: Ranger Tank to Los Indios, New Mexico
The trail continues on dusty road through wheatgrass and pinyon ending at a stunning canyon, golden in Autumn colors with a piped spring.
NM: Mount Taylor to Ranger Tank, New Mexico
After Mount Taylor, there’s a 24-mile dry stretch. I watch the eclipse from a mountain with an Hispanic rancher.
NM: Grants to Mount Taylor, New Mexico
The start of the trail from desert is steep, but then levels off into ponderosa pine and aspen before beginning the ascent of 11,000-foot Mount Taylor.
NM: Pre-hike, Albuquerque
Before hiking a CDT section, I visit Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta, Old Town, and to see old friends.
Appalachian Trail: Gorham to Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire
The Wildcats are considered some of the hardest hiking in New Hampshire with sketchy rock climbs.
Appalachian Trail, Grafton Notch, Maine to Gorham, New Hampshire
The short section that straddles Maine and New Hampshire is considered one of the hardest with bouldering and dangerously steep descents.
Appalachian Trail: East Andover to Grafton Notch, Maine
It’s incredibly steep up and down on rock with a glorious reward of open balds above treeline.
Appalachian Trail: Rangeley to East Andover, Maine
The trail hits dangerous rotting boards over deep bogs plus an alpine climb of Beamis and Old Blue Mountains.
Appalachian Trail: Stratton to Rangeley, Maine
Two 4,000-footers– Spaulding and Saddleback Mountains – are on trail as well as a 3-mile alpine exposure.
