This section of trail has been gorgeous, and as a result, the hiking miles seem to fly by. Well, I’m sure the audiobook I’m listening to helps a little, too. But it seems as if everywhere I look there is another epic view. If only I could take pictures with my eyes.
We left the hostel around 7:30 and walked the mile back to the trail (too bad Mary wasn’t here to give us a ride again). We decided to take the Walnut Creek Alternate out of Silver City, not realizing it was another road walk. But it wasn’t very long and the cars weren’t too annoying, probably because temps were cool and we were fresh and feeling good after the zero.
On the way out of town, we passed a school. Kids were just arriving for the day and two teachers were outside looking over them. The teachers wanted to know if we were going to Colorado. We said that we are going to Colorado but that our ultimate goal is to go to Canada. Their jaws dropped. Apparently, they haven’t heard of the CDT; I think this is a little strange because the trail literally goes through the town they live in, but that’s ok. They were very nice and very encouraging. Shortly after talking with them, we came upon some sidewalk art that made me smile.
Little things like this can make a world of difference sometimes - it always makes me happy
Besides annoying vehicles, the other issue with road walks is the lack of places to take care of business. I was really struggling there for a while and things were getting pretty serious, but I didn’t think the people living along the road would appreciate a hiker using their property as a bathroom. Just as I thought I’d have to make do with the ditch, we made it to the Gomez Peak Trailhead where we found an unlocked pit toilet. I didn’t waste any time getting inside.
From the Walnut Creek Alternate, we hopped on the Gila River Alternate, which is what we are on now. It is a little shorter than the actual CDT, it’s prettier, and there is more water. So far I’m not disappointed.
To make things even better, my feet and back seem to have finally toughened up because I felt fantastic today. My new shoes are great, too. I passed some of the hikers we met at the hostel and only felt a little guilty about not stopping to chat. I said hi, of course, but I was on a roll and kept going. Nick was a little behind me because his Achilles is still bothering him. (Don’t worry, I’m making him do exercises.)
The first water source on the Gila Alternate was beautiful - it was the first time all trail that we were able to get water from an actual stream! It was cold and mostly clear and so much better than cattle tanks.
finally, a natural water source on-trail
We ended up having a nice lunch break at the stream with quite a few of the people we met at the hostel. At first, I wasn’t quite ready to socialize, but I managed ok. I typically associate towns as the time to socialize and the trail as the time to be alone. But adjustments can always be made, of course. Even so, I was the first one to get up and start hiking again.
this was the perfect place to take a lunch break
Bodie, Cody, Lush, Hannah, and OCD. Pony is behind them in distance, going to get water
We ended the day at elevation and as a result, I probably stopped every 10 steps or so to take a picture. I took so many pictures that Nick caught up to and passed me, but I was so enamored with the views that I didn’t care. (Not that I should ever care, but… )
We’re camping up here, too. Nick had to get a little creative with the tent placement but it’s perfect. Everyone else went ahead a mile to the next water, mostly because there is a sign on the trail telling hikers that the water is better and that there was a huge campsite one mile ahead. Even though the water probably IS better, the thought of camping with a lot of people doesn’t appeal to me at all. We made a great call - it feels like we are the only ones on this mountain.
Along the trail:
Camp:
