NM: Narrows Trail to Grants, 8 miles (with hitch)
The final day of my hike is past a glorious arch then across amazing and ancient lava fields before heading to Grants and home.
NM: Pie Town to Narrows Trail, 16 miles (with hitch)
I hitch most of the long, dusty road, but my walk continues on long dusty road ending in a miraculous campsite with a watering hole.
NM: Big Pond to Pie Town, 12 miles (with hitch)
It’s a short day since I hitch a ride for the last several miles of road, but ends with incredible generosity.
NM: Aragon Well to Martin Canyon, 24 miles
Three beautiful tanks offer water today as I climb up and over 9,000+ foot Mangas Mountain.
NM: Cox Trailhead to near Aragon Well, 18 miles
It’s a glorious day of sunshine and beautiful views, plus good water sources. I climb up and out of the Gila and back to grassland where I camp all alone.
NM: Gila Tank to Cox Canyon Trailhead, 18 miles
The landscape looks like prairie and I’m concerned about a snowstorm in this exposed landscape, but luck out with only a few squalls.
NM: Gila River to Gail Tank, 13 miles
I almost leave the trail with a couple of cowboys, but a miscommunication leaves me waiting, then moving on just as the sky lights up orange and yellow.
NM: Middle Fork, Gila River, 18 miles
The walk through the river surrounded by quirky towers continues before I climb above for an 11-mile hike to again return and camp on the Gila’s banks.
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.
