6/10 – 12, Sunday – Tuesday, hiking days 30 & 31, Segment 19A, Pie Town to NM 117
~~ county road and state highway: that’s the story of this segment. It was, of course, easy hiking, but a bit boring, and for the first time during this hike, we were bothered somewhat by bugs. We were visited by flies of all sizes, gnats, and mosquitoes.
Because of the bugs and the similarity of scenery along the way, we hiked faster and took shorter rest periods. At the end of three days we had covered this entire segment and a good share of the next. The best thing we can say about hiking this segment is that the hiking gave us the opportunity to spend a lot of time remembering the wonderful time we had with the people in Pie Town, thinking about a few days off the trail, and looking forward to The El Malpais.
During the third day of hiking, while moving along in a driving rain, we were visited by yet another trail angel, a rancher passing through who gave us a ride for a few miles to a picnic area on NM 117. That was a very nice gesture, and we accepted the offer.
Perhaps it’s the right time to say that we’re very much interested in experiencing ALL of the CDT (the official CDT, that is) but we don’t actually feel compelled to walk every step. We’re simply not compulsive about it in that way. We’ve promised ourselves that we’ll not ever ask for a ride, but when offered one, we’ll accept it if it seems right to do so.
Now we were ready for eight days off the trail. Trail angel Arnold brought Audrey (my most devoted trail angel) down from home in Conifer, and took Pem back to Boulder to spend the time with his wife and baby daughter. Audrey and I attended the Rotary International Convention in Salt Lake City during this time.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Trekker's Log, June 6-7, 2007
6/6 & 6/7, Wednesday & Thursday, hiking days 28 & 29, Segment 18, Valle Tio Vences Campground to Pie Town: Mangas Mountain
If you look in the dictionary for a definition of “Trail Angel,” and find a picture, that picture will surely be of one Nita Larronde of Pie Town. On June 3rd we drove over from Datil to Pie Town, planning to hike Segment 18 from north to south. We had actually come off Segments 16 and 17 two days ahead of schedule, and were planning to stay at Nita’s house in town for three nights instead of just one. We had laundry to do, web log entries to submit, and other things we wanted to do.
We found the key to Nita’s trailside house as directed, and made ourselves at home. Nita arrived back from a trip to California on Monday afternoon and greeted us with hugs and a warm “Aloha!” She made sure we were comfortable, told us a few things about the house, and left for her home in the country. We learned that her house in town is there just for hikers!
On Wednesday Nita rode with us to Valle Tio Vences Campground, then took our vehicle back to Pie Town. We got acquainted and had a good visit as we rode along together.
Pem and I saw one CDT sign on the edge of the Forestry Service land through which we would start our hike of this segment. We soon figured out that this entire segment is on roads, so the hiking was fairly easy. We hiked the 29 miles in two days instead of the scheduled three, and saw the next CDT sign when we got back to Nita’s house.
All said and done, we stayed at Nita’s trailside house in Pie Town a total of six nights. What a wonderful time we had getting acquainted with a group of other great people in that village! Most notable among them are Kathy of the Pie-O-Neer Café, Michael Rawl of the Daily Pie Café, Nita’s husband Don Kearney, Tucker McHugh, Uncle River, and Mikka. There were other friendly faces, but these are the people with whom we really felt a kinship. We had dinner at Nita’s country home one evening, and Nita and Don hosted a community pot luck dinner another night. Sixteen new friends attended that dinner.
If you look in the dictionary for a definition of “Trail Angel,” and find a picture, that picture will surely be of one Nita Larronde of Pie Town. On June 3rd we drove over from Datil to Pie Town, planning to hike Segment 18 from north to south. We had actually come off Segments 16 and 17 two days ahead of schedule, and were planning to stay at Nita’s house in town for three nights instead of just one. We had laundry to do, web log entries to submit, and other things we wanted to do.
We found the key to Nita’s trailside house as directed, and made ourselves at home. Nita arrived back from a trip to California on Monday afternoon and greeted us with hugs and a warm “Aloha!” She made sure we were comfortable, told us a few things about the house, and left for her home in the country. We learned that her house in town is there just for hikers!
On Wednesday Nita rode with us to Valle Tio Vences Campground, then took our vehicle back to Pie Town. We got acquainted and had a good visit as we rode along together.
Pem and I saw one CDT sign on the edge of the Forestry Service land through which we would start our hike of this segment. We soon figured out that this entire segment is on roads, so the hiking was fairly easy. We hiked the 29 miles in two days instead of the scheduled three, and saw the next CDT sign when we got back to Nita’s house.
All said and done, we stayed at Nita’s trailside house in Pie Town a total of six nights. What a wonderful time we had getting acquainted with a group of other great people in that village! Most notable among them are Kathy of the Pie-O-Neer Café, Michael Rawl of the Daily Pie Café, Nita’s husband Don Kearney, Tucker McHugh, Uncle River, and Mikka. There were other friendly faces, but these are the people with whom we really felt a kinship. We had dinner at Nita’s country home one evening, and Nita and Don hosted a community pot luck dinner another night. Sixteen new friends attended that dinner.
Trekker's Log, May 29 - June 2, 2007
5/29 – 6/2/07, Tuesday – Saturday, hiking days 23 – 27, Segments 16 & 17, Coyote Peak Stock Tank to NM 12: Tularosa Mountains and NM 12 to Valle Tio Vence Campground
Trail angels Jon and Julie came out from Las Cruces to help us with a re-supply. We also took a bit of a tour of the area while putting out three water caches for the days to follow. Then the four of us had lunch in Datil before Jon and Julie left us at Coyote Peak Stock Tank and took our vehicle to the Campground.
At the end of the re-supply day, we managed to hike to the top of the trail near the top of the rise above Coyote Peak Stock Tank. This strenuous hike was a harbinger of the entire route on Segment 16, which has a total elevation gain of more than 7800 feet.
On the second day in this segment, we hiked for more than four hours on well-marked trail, but suddenly there was no more sign of trail. ~~ no cairns, so signs, so slash marks on trees. We hiked for another four or more hours on a direct route to our water cache. When we reached our water we did find signs and the trail going in the direction from which we had just come. We had been near the trail for most of the day, but only really on the trail for about half the time.
Day three was more of the same. We hiked several more miles, some of it on the trail, but most of it on a direct route to our next water cache. When we reached the water cache we discovered that someone else had needed our water more than they thought we did, and had taken half of it. However, Pem had seen a stock tank near that place when we were putting out the water, so we were able to go there and get the water we needed.
Well, we may have set a new record, at least for old Mat, of miles hiked in a day. We found ourselves on a road early in the morning, and were able to make very good time. This was definitely a “vicinity hike,” in which we were confident that we were very near the trail at all times, but were never certain when we were actually on the trail.
We finished Segment 16, only to realize that we had plenty of daylight left, we would be walking on a road all of Segment 17, and the Valle Tio Vences Campground was only 12 miles away. We finished Segment 17 in time for dinner in Datil followed by an overnight in the motel there.
Trail angels Jon and Julie came out from Las Cruces to help us with a re-supply. We also took a bit of a tour of the area while putting out three water caches for the days to follow. Then the four of us had lunch in Datil before Jon and Julie left us at Coyote Peak Stock Tank and took our vehicle to the Campground.
At the end of the re-supply day, we managed to hike to the top of the trail near the top of the rise above Coyote Peak Stock Tank. This strenuous hike was a harbinger of the entire route on Segment 16, which has a total elevation gain of more than 7800 feet.
On the second day in this segment, we hiked for more than four hours on well-marked trail, but suddenly there was no more sign of trail. ~~ no cairns, so signs, so slash marks on trees. We hiked for another four or more hours on a direct route to our water cache. When we reached our water we did find signs and the trail going in the direction from which we had just come. We had been near the trail for most of the day, but only really on the trail for about half the time.
Day three was more of the same. We hiked several more miles, some of it on the trail, but most of it on a direct route to our next water cache. When we reached the water cache we discovered that someone else had needed our water more than they thought we did, and had taken half of it. However, Pem had seen a stock tank near that place when we were putting out the water, so we were able to go there and get the water we needed.
Well, we may have set a new record, at least for old Mat, of miles hiked in a day. We found ourselves on a road early in the morning, and were able to make very good time. This was definitely a “vicinity hike,” in which we were confident that we were very near the trail at all times, but were never certain when we were actually on the trail.
We finished Segment 16, only to realize that we had plenty of daylight left, we would be walking on a road all of Segment 17, and the Valle Tio Vences Campground was only 12 miles away. We finished Segment 17 in time for dinner in Datil followed by an overnight in the motel there.
Trekker's Log, May 26-28, 2007
5/26 – 28/07, Saturday – Monday, hiking days 20 – 22
Segment 15, NM 163 to Coyote Peak Stock Tank
We were taken to the trailhead by Sheriff’s Deputy Stan Thompson, since the highway leading to the trailhead was on one of Stan’s regular patrol routes. Stan was very gracious to help us out in this way. The first assistance he gave us was a case of helping with an “emergency.” This time he helped us just out of the goodness of his heart.
During this three-day segment we learned a lot about trail-finding, about being resourceful when things don’t go right, about depending on our GPS and guidebook, and about the rare but glaring misprint in a publication. We also began to use what we had learned previously on this Challenge hike.
The trail was well-marked, for about the first quarter mile, to a fence line. At the end of the fence line, we found no more trail signs for many miles. We were on our own, studying the guidebook as we went along, looking for the roads, mountains, and streams described in it. On the second day of the hike, we climbed a fence because we knew we were in a direct line with the saddle on the side of Pelona Mountain and the terrain on the other side of the fence looked more negotiable on the way. Suddenly we saw a CDT sign, and we were on fairly new trail that took us to the saddle by way of three or four nice, easy switchbacks.
Once on the saddle, we found a cairn, then two other cairns. One cairn led to nothing; the other had a definite path beside it. We chose the cairn beside the path. About five miles later we discovered that we had been hiking on an animal trail and were well off course. We finally realized that we were on a segment of the CDT that has not been constructed. We bush-whacked back and forth, following the general direction of the trail as described in the guidebook, and got reasonably close to Coyote Peak Stock Tank at the end of the third day of hiking, but without ever seeing another trail sign.
As stated, we read and re-read the guidebook entry for this segment, finally figuring out that there was a one-digit error in the printed coordinates for the Coyote Peak Stock Tank. Before we figured that out, the GPS was telling us to go in exactly the wrong direction! On the morning of the fourth day, I woke up realizing that there must have been a misprint, for most of the coordinates included W108, but the one for Coyote Peak Stock Tank included W107. When the 108 was entered in the GPS, we learned that we were just about one mile from our destination!
So, all is well that ends well, and our hike of this segment ended on a bright note. When we got to Coyote Peak Stock Tank and looked back, there WAS a sign, and a trail leading in the direction from which we had come. As stated earlier, we learned a lot about getting to where we wanted to go without trail sign and sometimes without trail. This segment is definitely part of the 60% of the New Mexico CDT that is not yet fully constructed or marked! The topo map had not really helped us. The guidebook was, indeed, helpful in spite of the one typo. We would not have reached the end of this segment without the guidebook, the GPS, and what we had learned earlier about trail-finding.
Segment 15, NM 163 to Coyote Peak Stock Tank
We were taken to the trailhead by Sheriff’s Deputy Stan Thompson, since the highway leading to the trailhead was on one of Stan’s regular patrol routes. Stan was very gracious to help us out in this way. The first assistance he gave us was a case of helping with an “emergency.” This time he helped us just out of the goodness of his heart.
During this three-day segment we learned a lot about trail-finding, about being resourceful when things don’t go right, about depending on our GPS and guidebook, and about the rare but glaring misprint in a publication. We also began to use what we had learned previously on this Challenge hike.
The trail was well-marked, for about the first quarter mile, to a fence line. At the end of the fence line, we found no more trail signs for many miles. We were on our own, studying the guidebook as we went along, looking for the roads, mountains, and streams described in it. On the second day of the hike, we climbed a fence because we knew we were in a direct line with the saddle on the side of Pelona Mountain and the terrain on the other side of the fence looked more negotiable on the way. Suddenly we saw a CDT sign, and we were on fairly new trail that took us to the saddle by way of three or four nice, easy switchbacks.
Once on the saddle, we found a cairn, then two other cairns. One cairn led to nothing; the other had a definite path beside it. We chose the cairn beside the path. About five miles later we discovered that we had been hiking on an animal trail and were well off course. We finally realized that we were on a segment of the CDT that has not been constructed. We bush-whacked back and forth, following the general direction of the trail as described in the guidebook, and got reasonably close to Coyote Peak Stock Tank at the end of the third day of hiking, but without ever seeing another trail sign.
As stated, we read and re-read the guidebook entry for this segment, finally figuring out that there was a one-digit error in the printed coordinates for the Coyote Peak Stock Tank. Before we figured that out, the GPS was telling us to go in exactly the wrong direction! On the morning of the fourth day, I woke up realizing that there must have been a misprint, for most of the coordinates included W108, but the one for Coyote Peak Stock Tank included W107. When the 108 was entered in the GPS, we learned that we were just about one mile from our destination!
So, all is well that ends well, and our hike of this segment ended on a bright note. When we got to Coyote Peak Stock Tank and looked back, there WAS a sign, and a trail leading in the direction from which we had come. As stated earlier, we learned a lot about getting to where we wanted to go without trail sign and sometimes without trail. This segment is definitely part of the 60% of the New Mexico CDT that is not yet fully constructed or marked! The topo map had not really helped us. The guidebook was, indeed, helpful in spite of the one typo. We would not have reached the end of this segment without the guidebook, the GPS, and what we had learned earlier about trail-finding.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Trekker's Log, May 23-25, 2007
5/23 – 25, rest and celebration days in Truth or Consequences
I’ve already stated that Richard Epstein is a real trail angel. He demonstrated that over and over during the time we were in Truth or Consequences. We were treated royally as we took our rest at Firewater Lodge, and thanks to Richard and the other members of the Rotary Club of Truth or Consequences, the celebration there was wonderful, with more than 40 people attending.
The Rotary Club changed the time and place of their regular meeting from Tuesday noon to Thursday evening just to accommodate us! The meeting was held at the Geronimo Hot Springs Museum. A potluck dinner was provided, with great food and great Rotary fellowship. Two of Congressman Pearce’s staff members were there, along with many, many community volunteers, in spite of the fact that it was awards night at the high school.
A second highlight of our time in Truth or Consequences was having dinner with Stan and Pat Thompson one night. Stan helped us out again on Saturday morning, taking us to the trailhead of Segment 15 while on one of his regular patrol routes. The Thompsons really endeared themselves to Pem and me, and are probably on our list of life-long friends.
The third major highlight in this city of hot springs was spending time with Richard Epstein, his friend Carl, and his girl friend Rebecca. On the night after the potluck dinner and celebration, Pem and I were invited to have leftovers with the three of them. In that gesture we were made to feel like family, or at least old friends, by those good people. We keep adding names to our list of probable life-long friends.
I’ve already stated that Richard Epstein is a real trail angel. He demonstrated that over and over during the time we were in Truth or Consequences. We were treated royally as we took our rest at Firewater Lodge, and thanks to Richard and the other members of the Rotary Club of Truth or Consequences, the celebration there was wonderful, with more than 40 people attending.
The Rotary Club changed the time and place of their regular meeting from Tuesday noon to Thursday evening just to accommodate us! The meeting was held at the Geronimo Hot Springs Museum. A potluck dinner was provided, with great food and great Rotary fellowship. Two of Congressman Pearce’s staff members were there, along with many, many community volunteers, in spite of the fact that it was awards night at the high school.
A second highlight of our time in Truth or Consequences was having dinner with Stan and Pat Thompson one night. Stan helped us out again on Saturday morning, taking us to the trailhead of Segment 15 while on one of his regular patrol routes. The Thompsons really endeared themselves to Pem and me, and are probably on our list of life-long friends.
The third major highlight in this city of hot springs was spending time with Richard Epstein, his friend Carl, and his girl friend Rebecca. On the night after the potluck dinner and celebration, Pem and I were invited to have leftovers with the three of them. In that gesture we were made to feel like family, or at least old friends, by those good people. We keep adding names to our list of probable life-long friends.
Trekker's log, May 21-22, 2007
5/21 & 22/07, Monday & Tuesday, hiking days 18 & 19, Segment 14, NM 59 to NM 163: Wahoo Peak We met at noon at the south trailhead of this segment. Richard Epstein was riding with Joseph. We left Joseph’s truck there, and rode together in our Yukon around to the north trailhead. Richard then took our Yukon back to the south trailhead, and took Joseph’s truck to Truth or Consequences. It was good to have Joseph back with us! We had long discussions of what had happened to Pem and me as we hiked, and how we can avoid such predicaments being repeated as we progress up the trail. We hiked about six-and-a-half miles to a nice camp site, where we spent the first of what we thought would be two nights on this three-day hiking segment.
The hiking went very well the next day. About the time we would have set up camp, Joseph announced that as nearly as he could figure, we were only about an hour away from the trailhead! We hiked on. When we got to our rig, we decided that a bed and a bath in a hot springs tub was preferable to a tent and sleeping bag, so we drove back to Truth or Consequences for the night. We called Richard Epstein as soon as we were within cell phone range, and asked if he had space available at his establishment for the night. He did, so we had dinner on the way to his place, then stayed over with him, at Firewater Lodge, one of the hot springs resorts in Truth or Consequences.
We realized that it was a record hiking day for at least one of us, old Mat. We had hiked more than 19 miles on the second day of what was scheduled to be a three-day hike. The wonderful dinner at Los Arcos and the bath in the hot springs tub were certainly welcome ends to the two days.
Star Volunteer Richard Epstein, with Joseph Gendron and Pem Sherpa
Wahoo Peak in the distance, our destination
On the Trail
Typical stock tank, "excellent water source"
The hiking went very well the next day. About the time we would have set up camp, Joseph announced that as nearly as he could figure, we were only about an hour away from the trailhead! We hiked on. When we got to our rig, we decided that a bed and a bath in a hot springs tub was preferable to a tent and sleeping bag, so we drove back to Truth or Consequences for the night. We called Richard Epstein as soon as we were within cell phone range, and asked if he had space available at his establishment for the night. He did, so we had dinner on the way to his place, then stayed over with him, at Firewater Lodge, one of the hot springs resorts in Truth or Consequences.
We realized that it was a record hiking day for at least one of us, old Mat. We had hiked more than 19 miles on the second day of what was scheduled to be a three-day hike. The wonderful dinner at Los Arcos and the bath in the hot springs tub were certainly welcome ends to the two days.
Star Volunteer Richard Epstein, with Joseph Gendron and Pem Sherpa
Wahoo Peak in the distance, our destination
On the Trail
Typical stock tank, "excellent water source"
A few steps on the road at the end of the segment, the longest day at more than 19 miles.
Trekker's Log, May 17-19, 2007
5/17 – 19/07, Thursday – Saturday, hiking days 15 – 17, Reeds Peak to Diamond Peak.
We left Reeds Peak shortly after noon on Thursday, with a half-day head start towards Diamond Peak. We stopped at Squeaky Spring to make sure we had a full supply of water, then continued on to what we thought was Reeds Meadow. (It should be noted here that whereas we had been told that the cistern at the top of Reeds Peak would probably be full, it was, in fact, empty. Something in the collection system off the roof of the main building must have broken loose, for in spite of the wonderful rains that had fallen, no water had been collected.) We hiked in rain a good part of the afternoon, and after we reached what we thought was Reeds Meadow, Pem built us a good fire, so that we were able to enjoy our evening meal and get into our tents and sleeping bags fairly warm and dry. Just as we got to where we camped, we saw a flock of turkeys running into the woods at the other end of the meadow. Friday morning we awakened to the sound of turkeys gobbling. Pem did not know what that sound was, and thought maybe it was wild dogs barking at each other, but from growing up on a farm, where we used to raise domestic turkeys, I knew the unmistakable sound that turkeys make. It provided some nostalgic moments for me, for sure. So we continued to hike towards Diamond Peak. We found a sign that seemed to say Diamond Peak was 3 miles away, but that seemed too close, unless we had walked quite a bit farther than we thought. ~~ or did it say that Diamond Peak was 8 miles away? That seemed much too far, given the miles we were certain we had already covered. Then trail sign stopped; there were no cairns, no CDT emblems, no trail marks on any trees. Also, the hiking was becoming difficult, for dozens of trees had fallen across the trail. We found a trail. We followed it for a long while, then realized that we must be on an animal path. We decided to bush-whack across to where the trail must be. We ended that day in the middle of nowhere. We had gone from a half-day ahead to a day-and-a-half behind. On Saturday, we continued our struggle. We found a trail that we were sure would lead to the back side of Diamond Peak, based on our reading of the map Joseph had given us. Finally, about 4:00 in the afternoon, we came to a junction of trails. The sign told us the trails that met there, and we were able to find the junction on our map. The sign stated that Diamond Peak was 4 miles up the trail, and that the Me Own Fire Base was 8 miles down the trail. Now we had to study hard what to do. We were about three full days behind schedule with food for one day. We did not have time, or food, to get to where we were supposed to find our vehicle on Monday. At the same time, our satellite phone’s battery went dead, so we had no way of communicating our difficulty. We were stuck. Escape was our choice. We hiked down the trail towards Me Own Fire Base, which was an adventure in and of itself. On the way we saw our first bear. It was about 120 yards away from us, and while we were fumbling for our cameras, it ran off into the bushes. Also, the trail crossed a creek (we think Diamond Creek) a couple of dozen times. Because of the rains that had been falling, the stream was full of water. At first we tried to find stepping stones or find logs to throw across the stream, but after awhile we just splashed through each "ford" of the stream, no longer caring about our wet feet. We reached the fire base just at sundown, had our supper, and went to bed. We figured that in the morning we’d walk to a phone, make connections with our support team, and get ready for Monday. As it turned out, things weren’t quite that simple. Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny. For the first time in six days, we were confident that there would be no rain. (We hadn’t minded the rain, for we were prepared for it; it was nice to walk in the solitude of a downpour, and we had come to experience all that the Trail had to offer. We did NOT expect 60-some cool, sunny days. Moreover, the rain was filling the streams with water, so even though our food was running low, water was not an issue.) Our plan was to hike to a phone, let Audrey know what had happened, find out if our rig had been moved yet, and talk to Joseph about where to meet him on Monday noon. It turned out that there were no phones, for even though we were on a good Forest Service road, we were still in the wilderness. As we approached the first of two or three campgrounds shown on our map, we realized that these were going to be primitive campgrounds with no phones, not even "comfort stations." As we approached the first such place, we saw a couple setting up camp there. Long story short, we begged for a ride to the nearest phone, they allowed as how the nearest phone was 24 miles away in Mimbres, and they had no intention of leaving their camp site to assist us in any way. We begged to borrow their pickup, offering to leave all our stuff with them and return the truck with a fresh tank of gas; that request was also flat-out rejected. We realized that if we were going to walk 24 miles, we’d better get back on the road and hope for a passing motorist that would give us a ride somewhere; indeed, anywhere where there was a phone. As we walked back up to the road, I remembered it was Sunday, and realized I hadn’t done any worshipping of any kind on this Sunday morning. ~~ hadn’t even noticed the beauty of the remarkable wilderness through which we were hiking. In that moment, I just said, sort of to myself, "Dear God, we need out of this place." We were by then back on the road, and while we were having a drink of water and adjusting our gear, within minutes, a Sheriff’s Deputy came down the road. Wow! Did I say "Thank you, Lord!?" Sheriff’s Deputy Stan Thompson did, indeed, become one of the many, many trail angels that we met. He first agreed to take us to Mimbres to a phone, apologizing for the fact that we’d have to ride in the back of the Ford Bronco that was his vehicle. Then in conversation, he asked, "Do you people have a vehicle?" I replied that we did have one, which was supposed to be waiting for us by Monday noon at the trailhead on NM 59 north of Lookout Mountain. Stan asked, "Is it a brown Yukon?" I replied, "No, it’s a gray Yukon." He came back, "Yes, probably gray. ~~ Colorado plates?" "Yes!" "It’s there now; why don’t I just take you to it?" Suddenly all was well in our world. Sheriff’s Deputy Stan Thompson, based in Truth or Consequences, took us to our rig. We drove from there to Truth or Consequences, called Audrey who called Moni, and called Joseph Gendron, who was going to meet us at that trailhead the next day. So we failed to cover Segment 11, 12, and 13, leaving them for further make-up hiking in October. We stayed over in Truth or Consequences, did our laundry, and talked with another real trail angel, Rotarian Richard Epstein, who brought Joseph to our meeting place the next day.
Campsite at Reeds Meadow
Is that Diamond Peak?
Where is that Trail?
Hikers clearly off trail, two days late, low on food
Storm approaching
Storm behind us
Me Own Fire Base Camp site
We left Reeds Peak shortly after noon on Thursday, with a half-day head start towards Diamond Peak. We stopped at Squeaky Spring to make sure we had a full supply of water, then continued on to what we thought was Reeds Meadow. (It should be noted here that whereas we had been told that the cistern at the top of Reeds Peak would probably be full, it was, in fact, empty. Something in the collection system off the roof of the main building must have broken loose, for in spite of the wonderful rains that had fallen, no water had been collected.) We hiked in rain a good part of the afternoon, and after we reached what we thought was Reeds Meadow, Pem built us a good fire, so that we were able to enjoy our evening meal and get into our tents and sleeping bags fairly warm and dry. Just as we got to where we camped, we saw a flock of turkeys running into the woods at the other end of the meadow. Friday morning we awakened to the sound of turkeys gobbling. Pem did not know what that sound was, and thought maybe it was wild dogs barking at each other, but from growing up on a farm, where we used to raise domestic turkeys, I knew the unmistakable sound that turkeys make. It provided some nostalgic moments for me, for sure. So we continued to hike towards Diamond Peak. We found a sign that seemed to say Diamond Peak was 3 miles away, but that seemed too close, unless we had walked quite a bit farther than we thought. ~~ or did it say that Diamond Peak was 8 miles away? That seemed much too far, given the miles we were certain we had already covered. Then trail sign stopped; there were no cairns, no CDT emblems, no trail marks on any trees. Also, the hiking was becoming difficult, for dozens of trees had fallen across the trail. We found a trail. We followed it for a long while, then realized that we must be on an animal path. We decided to bush-whack across to where the trail must be. We ended that day in the middle of nowhere. We had gone from a half-day ahead to a day-and-a-half behind. On Saturday, we continued our struggle. We found a trail that we were sure would lead to the back side of Diamond Peak, based on our reading of the map Joseph had given us. Finally, about 4:00 in the afternoon, we came to a junction of trails. The sign told us the trails that met there, and we were able to find the junction on our map. The sign stated that Diamond Peak was 4 miles up the trail, and that the Me Own Fire Base was 8 miles down the trail. Now we had to study hard what to do. We were about three full days behind schedule with food for one day. We did not have time, or food, to get to where we were supposed to find our vehicle on Monday. At the same time, our satellite phone’s battery went dead, so we had no way of communicating our difficulty. We were stuck. Escape was our choice. We hiked down the trail towards Me Own Fire Base, which was an adventure in and of itself. On the way we saw our first bear. It was about 120 yards away from us, and while we were fumbling for our cameras, it ran off into the bushes. Also, the trail crossed a creek (we think Diamond Creek) a couple of dozen times. Because of the rains that had been falling, the stream was full of water. At first we tried to find stepping stones or find logs to throw across the stream, but after awhile we just splashed through each "ford" of the stream, no longer caring about our wet feet. We reached the fire base just at sundown, had our supper, and went to bed. We figured that in the morning we’d walk to a phone, make connections with our support team, and get ready for Monday. As it turned out, things weren’t quite that simple. Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny. For the first time in six days, we were confident that there would be no rain. (We hadn’t minded the rain, for we were prepared for it; it was nice to walk in the solitude of a downpour, and we had come to experience all that the Trail had to offer. We did NOT expect 60-some cool, sunny days. Moreover, the rain was filling the streams with water, so even though our food was running low, water was not an issue.) Our plan was to hike to a phone, let Audrey know what had happened, find out if our rig had been moved yet, and talk to Joseph about where to meet him on Monday noon. It turned out that there were no phones, for even though we were on a good Forest Service road, we were still in the wilderness. As we approached the first of two or three campgrounds shown on our map, we realized that these were going to be primitive campgrounds with no phones, not even "comfort stations." As we approached the first such place, we saw a couple setting up camp there. Long story short, we begged for a ride to the nearest phone, they allowed as how the nearest phone was 24 miles away in Mimbres, and they had no intention of leaving their camp site to assist us in any way. We begged to borrow their pickup, offering to leave all our stuff with them and return the truck with a fresh tank of gas; that request was also flat-out rejected. We realized that if we were going to walk 24 miles, we’d better get back on the road and hope for a passing motorist that would give us a ride somewhere; indeed, anywhere where there was a phone. As we walked back up to the road, I remembered it was Sunday, and realized I hadn’t done any worshipping of any kind on this Sunday morning. ~~ hadn’t even noticed the beauty of the remarkable wilderness through which we were hiking. In that moment, I just said, sort of to myself, "Dear God, we need out of this place." We were by then back on the road, and while we were having a drink of water and adjusting our gear, within minutes, a Sheriff’s Deputy came down the road. Wow! Did I say "Thank you, Lord!?" Sheriff’s Deputy Stan Thompson did, indeed, become one of the many, many trail angels that we met. He first agreed to take us to Mimbres to a phone, apologizing for the fact that we’d have to ride in the back of the Ford Bronco that was his vehicle. Then in conversation, he asked, "Do you people have a vehicle?" I replied that we did have one, which was supposed to be waiting for us by Monday noon at the trailhead on NM 59 north of Lookout Mountain. Stan asked, "Is it a brown Yukon?" I replied, "No, it’s a gray Yukon." He came back, "Yes, probably gray. ~~ Colorado plates?" "Yes!" "It’s there now; why don’t I just take you to it?" Suddenly all was well in our world. Sheriff’s Deputy Stan Thompson, based in Truth or Consequences, took us to our rig. We drove from there to Truth or Consequences, called Audrey who called Moni, and called Joseph Gendron, who was going to meet us at that trailhead the next day. So we failed to cover Segment 11, 12, and 13, leaving them for further make-up hiking in October. We stayed over in Truth or Consequences, did our laundry, and talked with another real trail angel, Rotarian Richard Epstein, who brought Joseph to our meeting place the next day.
Campsite at Reeds Meadow
Is that Diamond Peak?
Where is that Trail?
Hikers clearly off trail, two days late, low on food
Storm approaching
Storm behind us
Me Own Fire Base Camp site
Rescuer Deputy Thompson with Pem and Mat
Trekker's Log, May 16-17, 2007
5/16 & 17, Wednesday & Thursday, hiking days 14 & 15, Segment 10, Rocky Canyon to Reeds Peak
Joseph was good enough to hike the first couple of hours of this segment with us. Then he was on his way home to help celebrate his wife’s birthday. For the first time, it seemed, Pem and I were on our own. We did very well, hiking about 11 miles towards Reeds Peak. We found a very nice camp site trailside, and enjoyed the evening. The next day, we got to Reeds Peak before noon, and went up to the summit to view the now-abandoned lookout tower. We went up the stairs as far as we could, but at the landing just before the cabin, the planks had been removed. We took that as a signal that we were not to go further, took a few photos, and climbed back down. We were a half-day ahead of our schedule!
Joseph, Mat and Pem
Joseph and Mat taking a breather
"Natural Arch"
Work Building at the summit of Reeds Peak
Joseph was good enough to hike the first couple of hours of this segment with us. Then he was on his way home to help celebrate his wife’s birthday. For the first time, it seemed, Pem and I were on our own. We did very well, hiking about 11 miles towards Reeds Peak. We found a very nice camp site trailside, and enjoyed the evening. The next day, we got to Reeds Peak before noon, and went up to the summit to view the now-abandoned lookout tower. We went up the stairs as far as we could, but at the landing just before the cabin, the planks had been removed. We took that as a signal that we were not to go further, took a few photos, and climbed back down. We were a half-day ahead of our schedule!
Joseph, Mat and Pem
Joseph and Mat taking a breather
"Natural Arch"
Work Building at the summit of Reeds Peak
Mat on the lookout tower... Planks were missing from the last landing so our hikers were unable to reach the cabin up top.
View from the tower
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Trekker's Log, May 14-15, 2007
5/14 & 15, Monday & Tuesday, hiking days 12 & 13, Segment 9, NM 35 to Forest Road 150: Rocky Canyon
The hiking on this segment was moderate to strenuous, and once again we had Joseph with us to make sure we were on the right track. We hiked this segment from north to south, then went back to Rocky Canyon to camp, before beginning the next segment.
Joseph with Pem
The hikers found this sign to be rather funny, out in the wilderness with no pavement to be found for many miles.
The hiking on this segment was moderate to strenuous, and once again we had Joseph with us to make sure we were on the right track. We hiked this segment from north to south, then went back to Rocky Canyon to camp, before beginning the next segment.
Joseph with Pem
The hikers found this sign to be rather funny, out in the wilderness with no pavement to be found for many miles.
Trekker's Log, May 10-13, 2007
5/10 – 13/07, Rotary District 5520 Conference, Taos
This was a good time for a time out from the Trail. Pem and I drove up to Taos while Audrey drove down from Conifer, bring Pem’s wife, Moni, and their baby daughter, Pelzom, with her. It was a great reunion for Audrey and me as well as for Pem and his family.
We had several good contacts with possible supporters of the Rotary CDT Challenge at the Conference Trade Show. One contact has already led to a contribution by an El Paso Rotarian! We look forward to visiting further with the dozen or so other people who showed an interest, when the hiking has ended for this year, and we can begin to follow up on all the great conversations we’ve had.
At luncheon on Saturday, at what appeared to be the largest single gathering of the conference, we received an extremely gracious and complete introduction from the podium by the Chair of the Conference, Past District Governor Bob DeLaHunt of the Rotary Club of Chama Valley. He made us feel like celebrities while he described our project as worthy and described us as local heroes. The audience responded accordingly! We are very grateful to Bob for the wonderful statements he made about us, and particularly what he said about the Rotary CDT Challenge.
This was a good time for a time out from the Trail. Pem and I drove up to Taos while Audrey drove down from Conifer, bring Pem’s wife, Moni, and their baby daughter, Pelzom, with her. It was a great reunion for Audrey and me as well as for Pem and his family.
We had several good contacts with possible supporters of the Rotary CDT Challenge at the Conference Trade Show. One contact has already led to a contribution by an El Paso Rotarian! We look forward to visiting further with the dozen or so other people who showed an interest, when the hiking has ended for this year, and we can begin to follow up on all the great conversations we’ve had.
At luncheon on Saturday, at what appeared to be the largest single gathering of the conference, we received an extremely gracious and complete introduction from the podium by the Chair of the Conference, Past District Governor Bob DeLaHunt of the Rotary Club of Chama Valley. He made us feel like celebrities while he described our project as worthy and described us as local heroes. The audience responded accordingly! We are very grateful to Bob for the wonderful statements he made about us, and particularly what he said about the Rotary CDT Challenge.
Trekker's Log, May 8-9, 2007
5/8 & 9/07, Tuesday and Wednesday, rest and celebration days in Silver City
On Tuesday we had the privilege of attending the regular weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Silver City. We were treated as honored guests, for which we were humbly grateful. We also got to meet several people who are, indeed, very interested in hiking in general, and specifically interested in the Continental Divide Trail. One local Rotarian, Kathy Eaton, hiked across the entire United States in 2006. She stated that she wants to hike with us next year, during the Colorado part of the Rotary CDT Challenge. We will surely welcome her!
At the end of the meeting, we were introduced more formally by President Ray Davis, who reiterated the invitation for all to attend the community celebration the next evening at Copper Creek Ranch. He also invited Pem to speak briefly. Pem answered a few questions, and drew enthusiastic applause from the group.
On Wednesday, 32 or more people gathered at Copper Creek Ranch for a picnic dinner, sponsored by the Rotary Club. After dinner, we showed our slide show and video presentation to a good response. Included in the group were at least a dozen girls scouts with their parents and leaders. It could very well be that the Girls Scouts organization will Lead the Way in adopting a segment of the Trail in the Silver City area.
On Tuesday we had the privilege of attending the regular weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Silver City. We were treated as honored guests, for which we were humbly grateful. We also got to meet several people who are, indeed, very interested in hiking in general, and specifically interested in the Continental Divide Trail. One local Rotarian, Kathy Eaton, hiked across the entire United States in 2006. She stated that she wants to hike with us next year, during the Colorado part of the Rotary CDT Challenge. We will surely welcome her!
At the end of the meeting, we were introduced more formally by President Ray Davis, who reiterated the invitation for all to attend the community celebration the next evening at Copper Creek Ranch. He also invited Pem to speak briefly. Pem answered a few questions, and drew enthusiastic applause from the group.
On Wednesday, 32 or more people gathered at Copper Creek Ranch for a picnic dinner, sponsored by the Rotary Club. After dinner, we showed our slide show and video presentation to a good response. Included in the group were at least a dozen girls scouts with their parents and leaders. It could very well be that the Girls Scouts organization will Lead the Way in adopting a segment of the Trail in the Silver City area.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Trekker's Log, May 5-7, 2007
5/5 - 7/07, Saturday, Sunday and Sunday, hiking days 9 - 11, Segment 8, NM 15 to FR 152, with Nate, Gene, Jon & Julie, FR 152 to NM 35: Twin Sisters, with Joseph Gendron
State Representative Nate Cote of Las Cruces and Gene Marciniak, New Mexico Department of Health officer of Alamogordo, joined us for the first part of this hike. It became a good lesson in following directions and in teamwork.
First, we had a great deal of difficulty trying to figure out the location of the trailhead at the FR 152 end of the first section of the segment. Yours truly would not accept any of the likely trailheads which the others pointed out, so we amended the hike. The four of us would hike halfway from the Arastra Site to FR 152 on the first day, then Pem and I would hike the rest of the way on the second day while Nate and Gene hiked back to the vehicles and came around on the roads to find us at the end of the segment. In the meantime, Challenge Core Group members Jon and Julie were planning to come back for the second day, hike out to meet Nate and Gene, and hike back with them.
So the four of us, Nate, Gene, Pem and I, hiked out. We hiked about half the roughly 14 miles to a nice camp site near Twin Sisters the first day. The next morning, we got a good lesson in being prepared for the weather. It had been hot the day before, but this day dawned COLD! It had snowed during the night, so we had to shake snow off our tents before putting them away. The temperature was at or near freezing, and there we stood, in shorts and sweatshirts, not in long pants and jackets. We shivered through a quick breakfast before Nate and Gene headed back for the Arastra Site while Pem and I went on towards the FR 152 trailhead.
Jon and Julie connected with Nate and Gene just fine. They walked back to the Arastra Site together, enjoying the warming weather and getting acquainted. They got into the vehicle and came to get Pem and me. Meanwhile, Pem and I reached the trailhead at FR 152 without incident. For Pem, the trailhead was as expected. For me, it was on the wrong side of the road! It was the trailhead the others had decided was the correct one; it was the one I had argued against. Now Pem and I had a new discussion. We decided to hike towards the vehicle that would be coming for us. Pem started out in one direction, while I wanted to go in the other. We placed a quick non-monetary wager. Pem won. I began to realize that when Pem and I had divergent opinions about any of this, Pem was going to be right. My inherent sense of place, location, and direction was failing me. Pem’s instincts, based on his years of wilderness trekking, were almost always going to be correct.
The six of us celebrated the Trail at a very nice café back in Silver City. Then Pem and I returned to the Silver City KOA Kampground, which was our "base camp" for much of the time we were in the Silver City area.
This is probably a good time to mention the Silver City KOA. I had stayed there several years ago when we had a three-day Rotary Trek northeast of Silver City. While we were there at that time, the KOA had been our base camp, and one evening, the Rotary Club of Silver City gave us a very nice picnic at the KOA. Owners Jim and Jackie Blurton are terrific supporters of the Continental Divide Trail Alliance, and of the Continental Divide Trail itself. Pem and I, along with other members of our Core Group, stayed there a total of eight nights during the series of day hikes and over-night hikes that helped us to cover all the miles of the CDT from Lordsburg through Silver City and on to Rocky Canyon. This KOA is highly recommended to anyone hiking the CDT, and Jim and Jackie Blurton will prove to be most gracious hosts. They were, indeed, extremely accomodating to us, offering every assistance they could think of in order to make our stay there not only comfortable, but enjoyable as well. Our hats are off to you, Jim and Jackie!
Joseph was back with us on Monday. We finished Segment 8 of the Trail, looking forward to several days away from the trail.
Good Morning, Sunshine... er, Snowfall!
State Representative Nate Cote of Las Cruces and Gene Marciniak, New Mexico Department of Health officer of Alamogordo, joined us for the first part of this hike. It became a good lesson in following directions and in teamwork.
First, we had a great deal of difficulty trying to figure out the location of the trailhead at the FR 152 end of the first section of the segment. Yours truly would not accept any of the likely trailheads which the others pointed out, so we amended the hike. The four of us would hike halfway from the Arastra Site to FR 152 on the first day, then Pem and I would hike the rest of the way on the second day while Nate and Gene hiked back to the vehicles and came around on the roads to find us at the end of the segment. In the meantime, Challenge Core Group members Jon and Julie were planning to come back for the second day, hike out to meet Nate and Gene, and hike back with them.
So the four of us, Nate, Gene, Pem and I, hiked out. We hiked about half the roughly 14 miles to a nice camp site near Twin Sisters the first day. The next morning, we got a good lesson in being prepared for the weather. It had been hot the day before, but this day dawned COLD! It had snowed during the night, so we had to shake snow off our tents before putting them away. The temperature was at or near freezing, and there we stood, in shorts and sweatshirts, not in long pants and jackets. We shivered through a quick breakfast before Nate and Gene headed back for the Arastra Site while Pem and I went on towards the FR 152 trailhead.
Jon and Julie connected with Nate and Gene just fine. They walked back to the Arastra Site together, enjoying the warming weather and getting acquainted. They got into the vehicle and came to get Pem and me. Meanwhile, Pem and I reached the trailhead at FR 152 without incident. For Pem, the trailhead was as expected. For me, it was on the wrong side of the road! It was the trailhead the others had decided was the correct one; it was the one I had argued against. Now Pem and I had a new discussion. We decided to hike towards the vehicle that would be coming for us. Pem started out in one direction, while I wanted to go in the other. We placed a quick non-monetary wager. Pem won. I began to realize that when Pem and I had divergent opinions about any of this, Pem was going to be right. My inherent sense of place, location, and direction was failing me. Pem’s instincts, based on his years of wilderness trekking, were almost always going to be correct.
The six of us celebrated the Trail at a very nice café back in Silver City. Then Pem and I returned to the Silver City KOA Kampground, which was our "base camp" for much of the time we were in the Silver City area.
This is probably a good time to mention the Silver City KOA. I had stayed there several years ago when we had a three-day Rotary Trek northeast of Silver City. While we were there at that time, the KOA had been our base camp, and one evening, the Rotary Club of Silver City gave us a very nice picnic at the KOA. Owners Jim and Jackie Blurton are terrific supporters of the Continental Divide Trail Alliance, and of the Continental Divide Trail itself. Pem and I, along with other members of our Core Group, stayed there a total of eight nights during the series of day hikes and over-night hikes that helped us to cover all the miles of the CDT from Lordsburg through Silver City and on to Rocky Canyon. This KOA is highly recommended to anyone hiking the CDT, and Jim and Jackie Blurton will prove to be most gracious hosts. They were, indeed, extremely accomodating to us, offering every assistance they could think of in order to make our stay there not only comfortable, but enjoyable as well. Our hats are off to you, Jim and Jackie!
Joseph was back with us on Monday. We finished Segment 8 of the Trail, looking forward to several days away from the trail.
Good Morning, Sunshine... er, Snowfall!
Trekker's Log, May 2-4, 2007
5/2-4/07, Wednesday - Friday, hiking days 6 – 8, Segment 4, Lordsburg to NM 90, via Engineer Canyon.
This is the NEW Segment 4, totally different from the guidebook’s Segment 4, which was "Separ to NM 90: Separ Road." It is a good example of taking the Trail off roads and putting it in the wilderness, where it was intended by Congress.
We hiked this approximately 20-mile segment in three days, one of them a very short day. Again we were blessed with Joseph Gendron’s presence, for without him, we would not have been able to hike this segment. Though the route is designated, there is as yet very little actual trail, and there are virtually no trail signs of any kind, nor any indication anywhere of where the trailheads are. We hiked a lot in washes between mountains on Forest Service land, and across open land (I wanted to call it prairie) on BLM land. On the first day, we hiked from Engineer Canyon towards Lordsburg, and ended up at a very nice, level, gravel campsite, high on a bench of the mountains overlooking Lordsburg. The plant life was varied, much of it photo-worthy. We saw several javelinas towards sunset. I really enjoyed observing the night settle in on the day, and watching the full moon take over and dominate the night.
For some reason, I was up very early the next morning, and was able to observe the reverse, the night separating from the day as dawn approached. At about 4:30, while it was still dark, suddenly there was the most awful, very loud, frightened animal call that I have ever heard. It woke up both Joseph and Pem, and it raised the hair on the back of my neck, sending chills up and down my spine. It didn’t really scare me, for I recognized the sound as one of fear, not one of threat, but it surely did startle me. It kept on for several minutes, then began to originate from a little distance. It continued and it continued to come from farther away until it was barely audible before it stopped. Joseph and Pem had, indeed heard it. Joseph explained that a coyote had probably gotten very close to our camp site before getting the smell of humans. When it did, it sounded the alarm! I tried, but I couldn’t really replicate the sound. What an experience, to be in the presence of an obviously frightened animal in the wilderness!
We were in Lordsburg in time for a late breakfast, and had the good fortune of meeting Mayor Smith and several Lordsburg police officers. Joseph introduced us all around, and Mayor Smith promised that when we come back in October for the make-up hiking southeast of Lordsburg, he would put together a community celebration for us. What a great guy he is turning out to be!
That hiking day was short, but the driving days during this segment were rather lengthy. We were doing the unusual in making all of the hiking we were doing into day hikes and a couple of hikes which involved one night of camping; that led to quite a bit of very slow driving, moving the two vehicles through the wilderness to the trailheads, always making sure that one of the rigs was at the end of the next hike.
On the third day of this hike, from NM 90 back to Engineer Canyon, I suddenly realized that Joseph Gendron was completing the third full segment of hiking with us, which should qualify him for a promotion from guest hiker to a more honored and responsible position. So, with all the pomp and circumstance of the authority vested within myself as a Past District Governor of Rotary International (and with all the humility of recognition that this authority does NOT extend beyond myself) I issued the verbal proclamation that Joseph Gendron, trail builder and volunteer guide for most of this Challenge hike up to now, is declared an official member of the Rotary CDT Challenge Core Group. Joseph accepted!
This is the NEW Segment 4, totally different from the guidebook’s Segment 4, which was "Separ to NM 90: Separ Road." It is a good example of taking the Trail off roads and putting it in the wilderness, where it was intended by Congress.
We hiked this approximately 20-mile segment in three days, one of them a very short day. Again we were blessed with Joseph Gendron’s presence, for without him, we would not have been able to hike this segment. Though the route is designated, there is as yet very little actual trail, and there are virtually no trail signs of any kind, nor any indication anywhere of where the trailheads are. We hiked a lot in washes between mountains on Forest Service land, and across open land (I wanted to call it prairie) on BLM land. On the first day, we hiked from Engineer Canyon towards Lordsburg, and ended up at a very nice, level, gravel campsite, high on a bench of the mountains overlooking Lordsburg. The plant life was varied, much of it photo-worthy. We saw several javelinas towards sunset. I really enjoyed observing the night settle in on the day, and watching the full moon take over and dominate the night.
For some reason, I was up very early the next morning, and was able to observe the reverse, the night separating from the day as dawn approached. At about 4:30, while it was still dark, suddenly there was the most awful, very loud, frightened animal call that I have ever heard. It woke up both Joseph and Pem, and it raised the hair on the back of my neck, sending chills up and down my spine. It didn’t really scare me, for I recognized the sound as one of fear, not one of threat, but it surely did startle me. It kept on for several minutes, then began to originate from a little distance. It continued and it continued to come from farther away until it was barely audible before it stopped. Joseph and Pem had, indeed heard it. Joseph explained that a coyote had probably gotten very close to our camp site before getting the smell of humans. When it did, it sounded the alarm! I tried, but I couldn’t really replicate the sound. What an experience, to be in the presence of an obviously frightened animal in the wilderness!
We were in Lordsburg in time for a late breakfast, and had the good fortune of meeting Mayor Smith and several Lordsburg police officers. Joseph introduced us all around, and Mayor Smith promised that when we come back in October for the make-up hiking southeast of Lordsburg, he would put together a community celebration for us. What a great guy he is turning out to be!
That hiking day was short, but the driving days during this segment were rather lengthy. We were doing the unusual in making all of the hiking we were doing into day hikes and a couple of hikes which involved one night of camping; that led to quite a bit of very slow driving, moving the two vehicles through the wilderness to the trailheads, always making sure that one of the rigs was at the end of the next hike.
On the third day of this hike, from NM 90 back to Engineer Canyon, I suddenly realized that Joseph Gendron was completing the third full segment of hiking with us, which should qualify him for a promotion from guest hiker to a more honored and responsible position. So, with all the pomp and circumstance of the authority vested within myself as a Past District Governor of Rotary International (and with all the humility of recognition that this authority does NOT extend beyond myself) I issued the verbal proclamation that Joseph Gendron, trail builder and volunteer guide for most of this Challenge hike up to now, is declared an official member of the Rotary CDT Challenge Core Group. Joseph accepted!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Trekker's Log, 4-30 & 5-1-07
4/30 & 5/1, Monday & Tuesday, hiking days 4 & 5, Segment 5, NM 90 to Silver City
This is the segment of the CDT that goes through the Burro Mountains and over Burro Peak. According to the guidebook, "As unsung as their namesake, the Burro Mountains occupy a minor place in most people’s consciousness. Today their main cachet is the presence of the Continental Divide and the Continental Divide Trail."
The guidebook, six years from publication and admittedly out of date, states that "alternatives to a road CDT route are being explored, but for now…" Well, the alternatives have been explored, the trail has been laid out and constructed, and these two days of hiking were a real highlight of the trek up to now, at least for Pem and me. (Actually, it would be a disappointment if, six years later, the guidebook did still represent an accurate description of the trail.)
Joseph Gendron was with us for these two days. We are learning much from Joseph, and his presence with us is highly beneficial. On Monday, we were also joined by David Warnack and Joe Trujillo of the Forestry Service. As we hiked along, David and Joe explained a lot about how the trail had been brought off the road and up into the mountains.
There was also a big surprise, in that David remembered me from five years ago when he helped us with a three-day Rotary Trek north of Silver City. I recognized him as looking familiar to me, but until he mentioned that he knew me from somewhere, I could not figure out the connection.
I have to say that this segment of the Trail is now a showcase for trail design and construction. What good fortune it was for us that we were able to hike with the individual primarily responsible for its location and building! It is unfortunate that the guidebook includes statements such as "as unsung as their namesake," "true, they’re sure-enough mountains, but except for local ranchers, hunters, 4WD drivers—and CDT hikers—the Big Burros are largely ignored by the public," and "the Burros have their charms, to be sure, but who would go to the dry, undistinguished Burros when the vast Gila Wilderness, with 600 miles of trails, as well as hot springs, beautiful rivers, and magnificent peaks, is nearby?" All of these statements were true six or more years ago. I wonder when an updated guidebook will be created, for the one we are using is SO out of date. ~~ AND out of print now. I’m also prompted to wonder about the worth of a revised guidebook, for a lot of work has been done in recent years, and is being done today, to take the Trail off roads and make it as Congress designated, "a non-motorized hiking trail within 50 miles of the actual Great Divide." With the technology available today, it would be great if there were a dynamic guidebook available, such that hikers could, from month to month, or at least from year to year, learn all about the current route of the CDT. Who will step forward to take on this tremendous challenge? ~~ and how would CDT hikers know that it was available?
During the weekend and these two days, we saw several hikers walking on the road between the Separ Road junction and Silver City. We guessed that these hikers did not know that the Trail has been totally re-routed from Lordsburg north to NM 90, mostly off road. We guessed that if they had studied the guidebook, they had decided not to backtrack a few miles to this segment’s trailhead, or did not even know that the new trail was there for them to use. What a shame! These people missed a great hike on the new Trail through the Burro Mountains and over Burro Peak.
Well, we saw no burros. We did see deer, and bear sign, and several birds. The awesome engineering of the trail, the sounds of nature, the smells of the juniper and other plant life, and particularly the presence of Joseph, David, and Joe, all contributed to making the hike through this segment a real joy, and a highlight of the hiking part of the Rotary CDT Challenge.
This is the segment of the CDT that goes through the Burro Mountains and over Burro Peak. According to the guidebook, "As unsung as their namesake, the Burro Mountains occupy a minor place in most people’s consciousness. Today their main cachet is the presence of the Continental Divide and the Continental Divide Trail."
The guidebook, six years from publication and admittedly out of date, states that "alternatives to a road CDT route are being explored, but for now…" Well, the alternatives have been explored, the trail has been laid out and constructed, and these two days of hiking were a real highlight of the trek up to now, at least for Pem and me. (Actually, it would be a disappointment if, six years later, the guidebook did still represent an accurate description of the trail.)
Joseph Gendron was with us for these two days. We are learning much from Joseph, and his presence with us is highly beneficial. On Monday, we were also joined by David Warnack and Joe Trujillo of the Forestry Service. As we hiked along, David and Joe explained a lot about how the trail had been brought off the road and up into the mountains.
There was also a big surprise, in that David remembered me from five years ago when he helped us with a three-day Rotary Trek north of Silver City. I recognized him as looking familiar to me, but until he mentioned that he knew me from somewhere, I could not figure out the connection.
I have to say that this segment of the Trail is now a showcase for trail design and construction. What good fortune it was for us that we were able to hike with the individual primarily responsible for its location and building! It is unfortunate that the guidebook includes statements such as "as unsung as their namesake," "true, they’re sure-enough mountains, but except for local ranchers, hunters, 4WD drivers—and CDT hikers—the Big Burros are largely ignored by the public," and "the Burros have their charms, to be sure, but who would go to the dry, undistinguished Burros when the vast Gila Wilderness, with 600 miles of trails, as well as hot springs, beautiful rivers, and magnificent peaks, is nearby?" All of these statements were true six or more years ago. I wonder when an updated guidebook will be created, for the one we are using is SO out of date. ~~ AND out of print now. I’m also prompted to wonder about the worth of a revised guidebook, for a lot of work has been done in recent years, and is being done today, to take the Trail off roads and make it as Congress designated, "a non-motorized hiking trail within 50 miles of the actual Great Divide." With the technology available today, it would be great if there were a dynamic guidebook available, such that hikers could, from month to month, or at least from year to year, learn all about the current route of the CDT. Who will step forward to take on this tremendous challenge? ~~ and how would CDT hikers know that it was available?
During the weekend and these two days, we saw several hikers walking on the road between the Separ Road junction and Silver City. We guessed that these hikers did not know that the Trail has been totally re-routed from Lordsburg north to NM 90, mostly off road. We guessed that if they had studied the guidebook, they had decided not to backtrack a few miles to this segment’s trailhead, or did not even know that the new trail was there for them to use. What a shame! These people missed a great hike on the new Trail through the Burro Mountains and over Burro Peak.
Well, we saw no burros. We did see deer, and bear sign, and several birds. The awesome engineering of the trail, the sounds of nature, the smells of the juniper and other plant life, and particularly the presence of Joseph, David, and Joe, all contributed to making the hike through this segment a real joy, and a highlight of the hiking part of the Rotary CDT Challenge.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
And now, a word from our sponsors.
Thank you, Backpacker's Pantry, for nourishing our trekkers.
Thank You, GoLite, for easing their load.
Thank you, Vasque, for protecting their feet.
Thank You, GoLite, for easing their load.
Thank you, Vasque, for protecting their feet.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Trekker's log, 4-29-07
4/29/07, Sunday, hiking day 3, Segment 7, FR 506 (Little Walnut Road) to NM 15: Pinos Altos
The hiking group today included Jon and Julie and Joseph, in addition to Mat and Pem. The day was cool, with a mix of low-hanging clouds, fog, drizzle, rain, and glimpses of an old and abandoned monastery as we walked along. For yours truly, it was, indeed, a worshipful experience. The feeling was often one of being closed in by nature, and being close to God as a result.
The group actually hiked from the Arastra Site at the north end of the trail back to Little Walnut Road. It was a great hike! Each of us was often lost in his or her own thoughts, and all of us were often laughing and enjoying the experience all together.
It is understandable that on this day we met no other hikers. Anyone wanting a pleasant day hike on a Sunday would have opted out because of the weather. On the other hand, we were there, as we are every day, to experience the trail and to experience all that the trail has to offer.
What a wonderful experience we had on a quiet, rainy, foggy Sunday! Julie was the example for the way each of us felt: wet and uncomfortable on the outside, bubbling with enthusiasm and grateful for the experience on the inside.
The hiking group today included Jon and Julie and Joseph, in addition to Mat and Pem. The day was cool, with a mix of low-hanging clouds, fog, drizzle, rain, and glimpses of an old and abandoned monastery as we walked along. For yours truly, it was, indeed, a worshipful experience. The feeling was often one of being closed in by nature, and being close to God as a result.
The group actually hiked from the Arastra Site at the north end of the trail back to Little Walnut Road. It was a great hike! Each of us was often lost in his or her own thoughts, and all of us were often laughing and enjoying the experience all together.
It is understandable that on this day we met no other hikers. Anyone wanting a pleasant day hike on a Sunday would have opted out because of the weather. On the other hand, we were there, as we are every day, to experience the trail and to experience all that the trail has to offer.
What a wonderful experience we had on a quiet, rainy, foggy Sunday! Julie was the example for the way each of us felt: wet and uncomfortable on the outside, bubbling with enthusiasm and grateful for the experience on the inside.
Trekker's Log 4-28-07
4/28/07, Saturday, hiking day 2, Segment 6, Silver City to Forest Road 506
(Little Walnut Road)
Six of us took this hike, a very pleasant day hike. All of us were part of the Challenge Core Group, Jon and Julie, Pem, Suzanne, Audrey and Mat. This is a great hiking segment for young hikers, and it’s close to town.
The disappointment was that though this was a Saturday, we saw no hikers other than those in our own group. This segment is a wonderful, easy hike, with good trail all the way along and a lot to see. It seemed sad that no one else was out there to enjoy it with us.
(Little Walnut Road)
Six of us took this hike, a very pleasant day hike. All of us were part of the Challenge Core Group, Jon and Julie, Pem, Suzanne, Audrey and Mat. This is a great hiking segment for young hikers, and it’s close to town.
The disappointment was that though this was a Saturday, we saw no hikers other than those in our own group. This segment is a wonderful, easy hike, with good trail all the way along and a lot to see. It seemed sad that no one else was out there to enjoy it with us.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Trekker's Log, 4-27-07
4/27/07, first rest day, and travel day.
This is the story of Mat’s Incident, and I’ll just relate it in first-person. …Mat
As stated in the last entry, the hiking group was exhausted at the end of the first day on the trail, and I had had a big problem that I didn’t really know about. ~~ and as I stated earlier, the group made what turned out to be the best possible decision.
What happened was this: With Audrey driving, and Pem and Joseph riding along in the back, I was trying to go to sleep, but passed out. Audrey didn’t know I was trying to go to sleep, and when she got no response to a question she asked, she glanced at me to discover that I was staring at the dashboard of the car, eyes wide open, and NOT responsive. The rig was stopped, and my three companions did what they could to bring me around, and after a minute or two I was, indeed, responsive again and asking what had happened. Our trip back to Columbus continued without any repetition of that incident.
At the campground, the group made two decisions, just a bit over my protests, but I began to realize that no one was going to hike tomorrow, so that they could be sure I would not try to hike tomorrow. Audrey was adamant that I was going to get checked out by a doctor in Silver City, and Joseph helped the group to decide to move the Challenge hiking off the desert until later, and to continue it in the Silver City area.
After breakfast, we all went over to Silver City, most of the group to the KOA Kampground, while Audrey and I went to the Gila Medical Center. Since the Emergency Room serves as the outpatient clinic at this facility, Audrey and I spent five hours there, for each emergency took priority over out-patient cases. (That, of course, is as it should be.) I submitted to several different tests, including an EKG, and at the end of the five hours, the doctor in charge, the physician’s assistant and the nurse who spent a lot of time with me, Audrey, and I were all satisfied that what had happened to me was an isolated incident, not related to any physical condition that might prevent me from continuing the Challenge, and not likely to recur. The diagnosis was heat exhaustion combined with dehydration, the prognosis highly positive. All the tests showed normal physical condition, and I was declared fit to continue.
But Hey! The pine tree telegraph must be the fastest means of communication, for I began to hear all kinds of different versions of what had happened. These misunderstandings need to be overcome. I am convinced that what happened to me was, indeed, the result of my own lack of preparation. The hike was NOT longer than it should have been, it was just longer than I mistakenly thought it would be. There was NO missing water cache, I simply failed to carry enough water. Anyway, I learned several good lessons from this, and will apply those lessons all along in the days and weeks that will follow.
So, down the trail we go.
Uncle Sam collects the mail at the Silver City KOA!
This is the story of Mat’s Incident, and I’ll just relate it in first-person. …Mat
As stated in the last entry, the hiking group was exhausted at the end of the first day on the trail, and I had had a big problem that I didn’t really know about. ~~ and as I stated earlier, the group made what turned out to be the best possible decision.
What happened was this: With Audrey driving, and Pem and Joseph riding along in the back, I was trying to go to sleep, but passed out. Audrey didn’t know I was trying to go to sleep, and when she got no response to a question she asked, she glanced at me to discover that I was staring at the dashboard of the car, eyes wide open, and NOT responsive. The rig was stopped, and my three companions did what they could to bring me around, and after a minute or two I was, indeed, responsive again and asking what had happened. Our trip back to Columbus continued without any repetition of that incident.
At the campground, the group made two decisions, just a bit over my protests, but I began to realize that no one was going to hike tomorrow, so that they could be sure I would not try to hike tomorrow. Audrey was adamant that I was going to get checked out by a doctor in Silver City, and Joseph helped the group to decide to move the Challenge hiking off the desert until later, and to continue it in the Silver City area.
After breakfast, we all went over to Silver City, most of the group to the KOA Kampground, while Audrey and I went to the Gila Medical Center. Since the Emergency Room serves as the outpatient clinic at this facility, Audrey and I spent five hours there, for each emergency took priority over out-patient cases. (That, of course, is as it should be.) I submitted to several different tests, including an EKG, and at the end of the five hours, the doctor in charge, the physician’s assistant and the nurse who spent a lot of time with me, Audrey, and I were all satisfied that what had happened to me was an isolated incident, not related to any physical condition that might prevent me from continuing the Challenge, and not likely to recur. The diagnosis was heat exhaustion combined with dehydration, the prognosis highly positive. All the tests showed normal physical condition, and I was declared fit to continue.
But Hey! The pine tree telegraph must be the fastest means of communication, for I began to hear all kinds of different versions of what had happened. These misunderstandings need to be overcome. I am convinced that what happened to me was, indeed, the result of my own lack of preparation. The hike was NOT longer than it should have been, it was just longer than I mistakenly thought it would be. There was NO missing water cache, I simply failed to carry enough water. Anyway, I learned several good lessons from this, and will apply those lessons all along in the days and weeks that will follow.
So, down the trail we go.
Uncle Sam collects the mail at the Silver City KOA!
Trekker's Log, 4-26-07
4/26/07, first day of hiking, Mexico Border to trailhead at Sheridan Canyon.
Several people hiked together on this first day of hiking. Writer John Fayhee walked with us for at least 100 yards while photographing the beginning of the hike. His article in the Sunday Silver City Sun-News was a wonderful article, thorough and complete in coverage of what the Rotary CDT Challenge is all about.
Challenge team member Julie Mercurio provided the shuttle service, and had the cars waiting for us at the end of the day. Hikers included Audrey Matson and Suzanne Barkley, team members from Conifer, Colorado, team member Jon Mercurio of Las Cruces, Pem Sherpa and Mat Matson, celebration group team members, and celebrity hiker (official team member not yet) Joseph Gendron of Silver City. The group endured the 88-degree heat of the desert while hiking into the Big Hatchet Mountains on the way to the top of Sheridan Canyon. The water supply ran low, and the hikers were exhausted by the time they reached the bottom of the canyon near sunset. At the end of the day, the hike had logged 13 miles, several more miles than most of the hikers had expected.
The hike started out on the newly designated official trail through BLM land. That meant that we were looking for the trail signs and the windmill landmark as we went along, but instead of being on carved-out tread, we were walking across grassy desert, sometimes with a few bushes and sometimes with some brambles to negotiate. The worst of the brambles, according to Jon, is aptly named the "Spanish Dagger!"
Heading into the mountains on a two-track tread which became less evident, then disappeared into the kind of trail most people expect, we were suddenly surprised as we crossed an old two-track road of some kind, to meet an empty school bus with only the driver, then a pickup truck with a driver who yelled at us that she was having the time of her life, and a tractor with a front-end loader and backhoe carrying some soil, trash, and a plant. We never figured out where that set of three rigs came from or where they were going!
The group arrived back at Pancho Villa State Park just in time to get some pizza at the local super market. The evening ended with the group discussing at length just what should be the plan for the next day, particularly given what had happened to Mat. As it turned out, the group made what later seemed to be exactly the right decision.
Several people hiked together on this first day of hiking. Writer John Fayhee walked with us for at least 100 yards while photographing the beginning of the hike. His article in the Sunday Silver City Sun-News was a wonderful article, thorough and complete in coverage of what the Rotary CDT Challenge is all about.
Challenge team member Julie Mercurio provided the shuttle service, and had the cars waiting for us at the end of the day. Hikers included Audrey Matson and Suzanne Barkley, team members from Conifer, Colorado, team member Jon Mercurio of Las Cruces, Pem Sherpa and Mat Matson, celebration group team members, and celebrity hiker (official team member not yet) Joseph Gendron of Silver City. The group endured the 88-degree heat of the desert while hiking into the Big Hatchet Mountains on the way to the top of Sheridan Canyon. The water supply ran low, and the hikers were exhausted by the time they reached the bottom of the canyon near sunset. At the end of the day, the hike had logged 13 miles, several more miles than most of the hikers had expected.
The hike started out on the newly designated official trail through BLM land. That meant that we were looking for the trail signs and the windmill landmark as we went along, but instead of being on carved-out tread, we were walking across grassy desert, sometimes with a few bushes and sometimes with some brambles to negotiate. The worst of the brambles, according to Jon, is aptly named the "Spanish Dagger!"
Heading into the mountains on a two-track tread which became less evident, then disappeared into the kind of trail most people expect, we were suddenly surprised as we crossed an old two-track road of some kind, to meet an empty school bus with only the driver, then a pickup truck with a driver who yelled at us that she was having the time of her life, and a tractor with a front-end loader and backhoe carrying some soil, trash, and a plant. We never figured out where that set of three rigs came from or where they were going!
The group arrived back at Pancho Villa State Park just in time to get some pizza at the local super market. The evening ended with the group discussing at length just what should be the plan for the next day, particularly given what had happened to Mat. As it turned out, the group made what later seemed to be exactly the right decision.
Trekker's Log, 4-19 through 4-25
4/19/07 – 4/25/07, on the way to the southern portal of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
We had a good trip to the southern end of the CDT. It started with our Rotary District Conference in Colorado Springs. After leaving there on Sunday noon, we arrived in Santa Fe in time to have dinner with our trail angel, Marcia DeChadenedes and her husband, and Jessica Terrell, Trails Coordinator with New Mexico State Parks.
On Monday, Pem and I were guests at the Rotary Club of Albuquerque. We were called forward for an introduction from the podium, and a club banner exchange.
Tuesday morning found Audrey, Pem and I at the Rotary Club of Santa Fe Centro, where our presentation was the program. After a long, no-stops-allowed trip to Truth or Consequences, Audrey driving at the limit and carefully, our presentation was the program at the Rotary Club meeting there as well. Banners were also exchanged with both of these clubs. That evening we were with our dear friends, Jon and Julie, in Las Cruces.
We had the privilege of sharing breakfast with Nate Cote on Wednesday morning. Nate is a CDTA Trail Volunteer who is in the New Mexico State Legislature. He was instrumental in getting a Memorial passed in the Legislature urging funding for the completion of the CDT in New Mexico. That is the first, and only, such legislative resolution in any of the states containing the Trail. At noon, Pem and I attended the Rotary Club of Las Cruces, where we had a podium introduction again, and had several members wanting to visit with us after the meeting. That evening found us at The Pink Store in Palomas, Mexico, for a kickoff of the hiking part of the Challenge. Rotarians from Deming and several people from Columbus, New Mexico shared that time with us. There were seventeen people gathered, and yes, the celebration did include photos beside or under the statue of Generals Pancho Villa and "Black Jack" Pershing shaking hands after a treaty signing. (Pink Store Photos LINK)
We camped at Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus that night, anxious for an end to talking the talk, and a beginning to walking the walk the next morning.
We had a good trip to the southern end of the CDT. It started with our Rotary District Conference in Colorado Springs. After leaving there on Sunday noon, we arrived in Santa Fe in time to have dinner with our trail angel, Marcia DeChadenedes and her husband, and Jessica Terrell, Trails Coordinator with New Mexico State Parks.
On Monday, Pem and I were guests at the Rotary Club of Albuquerque. We were called forward for an introduction from the podium, and a club banner exchange.
Tuesday morning found Audrey, Pem and I at the Rotary Club of Santa Fe Centro, where our presentation was the program. After a long, no-stops-allowed trip to Truth or Consequences, Audrey driving at the limit and carefully, our presentation was the program at the Rotary Club meeting there as well. Banners were also exchanged with both of these clubs. That evening we were with our dear friends, Jon and Julie, in Las Cruces.
We had the privilege of sharing breakfast with Nate Cote on Wednesday morning. Nate is a CDTA Trail Volunteer who is in the New Mexico State Legislature. He was instrumental in getting a Memorial passed in the Legislature urging funding for the completion of the CDT in New Mexico. That is the first, and only, such legislative resolution in any of the states containing the Trail. At noon, Pem and I attended the Rotary Club of Las Cruces, where we had a podium introduction again, and had several members wanting to visit with us after the meeting. That evening found us at The Pink Store in Palomas, Mexico, for a kickoff of the hiking part of the Challenge. Rotarians from Deming and several people from Columbus, New Mexico shared that time with us. There were seventeen people gathered, and yes, the celebration did include photos beside or under the statue of Generals Pancho Villa and "Black Jack" Pershing shaking hands after a treaty signing. (Pink Store Photos LINK)
We camped at Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus that night, anxious for an end to talking the talk, and a beginning to walking the walk the next morning.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
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