Only 150-Miles To Go!

I arrived in Mimbres, New Mexico last night, and I am taking a well-deserved day off here in town. Ever since Grants, I have been pushing 20 or more miles a day, and that has made me pretty tired and sore, especially on my feet. Despite some of the aches and pains, there have been many rewarding moments.

I just finished hiking through the Gila Wilderness, namely down the Middle Fork of the Gila River, and the scenery was absolutely incredible. Beautiful maroonish-pink rock spires towered over the Gila River, sprouting from the large imposing cliffs that defined the narrow, winding canyon. I could not help but stare up at the rocks overhead, while I hiked through stands of ponderosa pines, cottonwoods, and cedars. Views of the cliffs were abundant as trees and the understory were denuded of their leaves. The Gila River, a shallow river darkened by volcanic rock, slime, and detritus, flowed subtly and calmly through most of the canyon. I forded the cold river over a hundred times! Nonetheless, I felt like I had entered into a lost Eden.

After leaving the Gila River Canyon, I arrived at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, where I enjoyed a cool, informative tour from a National Parks Service ranger. Although a small cliff dwelling by Mesa Verde standards, this former home to Mogollon Indians between 1270 and 1300 provided a snapshot into the culture and history of the original inhabitants here in New Mexico. I definitely recommend visiting this place.

I have also run into some of the friendliest people out here in New Mexico. Hunters have been generous, sharing their food and water with me and the rest of my companions, which has been a godsend, since water sources are few and far between - I went 39-miles between water sources! Trail angels have also been abundant here, inviting me into their homes, and feeding me home-cooked meals. I cannot say enough about the hospitality of the people here in New Mexico, especially people like John and Anzie north of Pie Town, Kathy and Nita in Pie Town, and Julie here in Mimbres. It's kind folks like them that make this nation truly great.

My shoes are about trashed, which has caused a lot of pain on the pads of my feet. I have had this pain before, and it only comes with shoes which have lost a lot of their cushioning. I figure I have only 8 more days of hiking in them, so I will just man up and deal with the pain.

I continue to hike this trail with 15 other people, and reports from those who keep track of going-ons of the CDT say that a group this size is completely unprecedented. A lot of us hiking in this critical mass wonder if there has ever been another group this large to finish any of the long distance trails like the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails. Anyway, it is pretty cool being with everyone, and I enjoy the variety of my company.

I am behind on my trail journals and flickr photos, and I expect it to be that way until I finish. Southern New Mexico, especially where I traveled, has very limited internet access, not to mention technology. I met a woman here in Mimbres who said that she has never seen an iPhone. Crazy! However, sometimes I wonder if that is not such a bad thing.

I will be stopping briefly in Deming, and then I only have another 50-some-odd miles to the border. It should be fun!