57-Miles to Mexico!

This hike is just about over.  Where did the last 5-months go?  Good heavens!  I am shocked that I only have 57-miles left on this trail.  A part of me wants this journey to end, but a huge part of me wishes that I could continue further.  I love this whole being outside thing, but on the other hand, I really look forward to home-cooked food again.  Oh well, more about that stuff after I finish.

I just finished a segment that went through the Black Range, which included a climb up Hillsboro Peak, which stands about 10,000-feet above sea level.  A fire tower and open cabin sit atop of the peak, and 15 of us hikers camped out at the top.  Unfortunately, So Far did not join the rest of the group on top, as he was too bust thrashing around in the woods doing navigation by deduction.  However, he found his way on the trail again, and hiked ahead of everyone, managing to hike 100-miles in 2 1/2 days!  The guy is a freak.

The hike continued in lower desert areas of southern New Mexico.  In two days I saw two small rattlesnakes on the trail.  The freaky thing was that I did many cross-country miles through desert and dry brush, which seemed to be prime rattlesnake terrain, but nothing ever happened.  I guess the snakes like the flat roads and paths more.

I am currently in Deming, a town of about 20,000-people, which sits about 30 some odd miles north of the Mexico border.  Apparently, when the railroad came through here, the town was called the "New Chicago," as it was expected that this town would boom from the rail traffic.  Ummmmm... that did not happen.  Nonetheless, it is a town that provides a lot of services and cheap motels for the weary hiker. 

Anyway, I will be leaving here tomorrow, and I will be hiking over the Florida Mountains, which according to Jim Wolf, presents a formidable challenge, and a fitting ending for a southbound journey.  I am looking forward to the hike, and with such little time left out here, I will milk the experience for all it's worth.

Today, I attended a Continental Divide Trail Association event in Hachita that celebrated the completion of the southern terminus at Crazy Cook Monument.  It was an awesome event, as I got to meet some of the key players in establishing and protecting the trail here in Mexico.  I had a good conversation with the Executive Director of the CDTA, Steve Dudley, and I was able to share some concerns that we thru-hikers have about the trail.  He was extremely receptive with what I had to share.  Thanks Steve!

I will report about the ending on Tuesday.  Until then, happy trails!