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
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Miles: 24.5 miles Gain/Loss: 1801’/2769′ I was up at 5:25am and out by 6am. There was maybe 5 gallons of water at the cache once I got there, but I’d already carried enough water to get to the next source. Though I did take half a liter and was glad of … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 5
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Miles: 30.6 miles Gain/Loss: 5151’/3652′ I was up at 5:45am and on trail by 6:20am. Very early on, I lost the trail, misjudged a step, and got my first cactus spine to the toe. It was quite unpleasant. I quickly began climbing up out of the desert towards some 8000′-9000′ mountains. … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 4
Monday, April 7, 2025 Miles: 30.7 miles Gain/Loss: 1621’/1329′ I was up at 5:45am and out hiking by 6:20am. I saw a few birds in the morning, including a hawk and a black bird. I got off track by 0.2mi once on the way towards town. I also saw a praying mantis egg sack about … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 3
Sunday, April 6, 2025 Miles: 34.7 Gain/Loss: 2142’/2339′ I was awake at 5:30am, and headed out by 6:10am. I heard coyotes before sunrise. I couldn’t find a great spot to pitch my tent last night, so I just made do with where I stopped but that meant my tent wasn’t taut. The ground was very sandy … Continue reading NM CDT 2025: Day 2
Transcending Mountains 