CDT: 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.
CDT: 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.
CDT: 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 of oaks, juniper and ponderosa pine. The aroma is intoxicating. What a fantastic day. I woke with a gorgeous sunrise turning the distant mountains lilac and the sky orange sherbet. […]
CDT: 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 miles at the front-end and 14 at the back-end, but it was still a challenging and ultimately soul-feeding journey. Highway 90 to Highway 90, 20.5 miles I arrive in Lordsburg […]
CDT: 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.
CDT: 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.
CDT: 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.
CDT: 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.
CDT: 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.
CDT: 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.
