CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL
New Mexico
The Land of Enchantment covers 820 miles of desert and ancestral homeland as well as more than a few mountains.
NM: Gila Cliff Dwellings to Gila Middle Fork, 13 miles
It’s one of the most extraordinary days on trail making 65 river crossings under towering cliffs of ancient lava.
NM: Sapillo Creek to Gila Hot Springs, 17 miles
The first day in the Gila River is beautiful and wild with big wind and 55 river crossings. It ends with two new friends.
The Trail Will Provide
Hiking has a way of making us more resilient, not so much manifested as strength and persistence, but in developing trust and embracing the unknown.
NM: Walnut Creek (Silver City) to Sapillo Creek (Gila), 22 miles
I take a day off to explore quirky, artsy Silver City, then head up to the Gila through a hard section filled with blowdown and finally a long descent to a pristine creek.
NM: Red Rock Road to Hwy 180 (Silver City) 18 miles
It’s easy walking now, all down hill, to the highway. I have a spectacular sunrise and views towards the Gila before hitching the highway to Silver City.
NM: Hwy 90 to Ridge near Red Rock Road, 20.5 miles
On day two of my section hike, I climb up into the Little Burro Mountains. It is heavenly up there, filled with pinyon, two kinds
NM: Lordsburg to Highway 90, 20.5 miles
This is the beginning of a LASH or Long Ass Section Hike of the Continental Divide Trail in New Mexico. I hitched the roads (3
Like a Cowgirl
Sometimes making a “dumb” mistake can open us up to new new pathways. It’s all in your perspective.
NM: Deadman Peaks to Cuba, New Mexico
The final twenty miles included climbing up on several mesas made of different types of rock and all with amazing views including the last night’s sunset show.
NM: Ojo Frio to Deadman Peaks, New Mexico
This is one of the most interesting and varied sections with whimsical hoodoos, massive dry washes, views for miles from ridges and two good water sources.
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.
