Saturday, April 26, 2025 Summits: Isolation Start/Finish: Rocky Branch North TH Miles: 11.2 Elevation gain/loss: 3670′ It was raining the entire time. And I needed to wear snow shoes for about half of the miles. I took both bushwhacks, and both were fairly hard to follow. The water crossing wasn’t too bad – I was … Continue reading Isolation – April
Friday, April 25, 2025 Summits: Jackson Start/Finish: Crawford Notch Miles: 4.7 Elevation gain/loss: 2350′ It was a rainy day, but fairly warm, and it mostly stopped raining by halfway through. The snow line was around 2800′ and I didn’t need to use my rock spikes until the descent. Overall, a short, smooth hike. Continue reading Jackson – April
Thursday, April 17, 2025 Miles: 15.5 miles Gain/Loss: 325′ I was up at 5:50am, and out by 6:30am. I enjoyed the quiet road walking in the morning cool. There was so little vehicle traffic, I enjoyed an impromptu dance party on the yellow line! I made it to the gas station/Subway combo by the highway … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 13
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Miles: 30.0 miles Gain/Loss: 942’/1555′ I was up at 6:15am, and hiking by 6:45am, trying to slow down a little bit. Early on, I had my final climb and enjoyed variation in my terrain quite a bit. I saw a large herd of mule deer early on in the beautiful canyon … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 12
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Miles: 43.0 miles Gain/Loss: 1900’/2654′ I was awake at 5:10am and out hiking on the dirt road by 5:40am, with a huge full moon still shining overhead. I was able to connect with a few friends as I walked, and that helped pass the time. The road was endless and identical, … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 11
Monday, April 14, 2025 Miles: 36.2 miles Gain/Loss: 4970’/5079′ I was awake at 5:45am and hiking by 6:20am. I had a short climb first thing in the morning to intersect with the official CDT route, joining it after many miles on the Gila River alternate. Following the trail was a bit easier after rejoining the … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 10
Sunday, April 13, 2025 Miles: 34.6 miles Gain/Loss: 4281’/3789′ I was up at 5:45am, packed up my cowboy camp, and was hiking by 6:20am. I left the dry rocks of the Middle Fork of the Gila River very early on, walking past the pond that comprises the headwaters at this point in the season. I … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 9
Saturday, April 12, 2025 Miles: 31.1 miles Gain/Loss: 2854’/1171′ I was up at 6am and out by 6:35am. Early on, I met two hikers and their anxious, barking and lunging German Shepherd. They didn’t leash the dog or do anything to help other than to insist their dog was friendly and I should just approach … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 8
Friday, April 11, 2025 Miles: 29.3 miles Gain/Loss: 2451’/1677′ I was up at 545am and out by 6:20am. I quickly found myself at the Gila River. The first few miles were beyond terrible bushwhacking, full of prickers, scratches, and blood. There was no decernible trail to follow, not even deer herd paths. It was very … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 7
Thursday, April 10, 2025 Miles: 30.1 miles Gain/Loss: 4324’/5026′ I was up at 7am, showered one more time, and headed out by 7:30am. I stopped on my way out of town for a fancy coffee drink at the Javalina Coffee House, and then kept walking to follow the Gila River alternate. I started out on … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 6
