Month: June 2017

Start Manzanos

GET 2017 Day 36, June 5, Monday.

Start Segment 33 mile 40.9 of 42.5, along CR115 a couple of miles from US60

End Segment 35 mile 3.9, after 15.6 miles on Segment 34, approaching Manzano Peak

Miles walked: 21.1

My cache buried near US60 was unearthed without problems. A few snacks included in the box start the morning right.

After crossing the highway, I begin down an arroyo, for almost 5 miles.

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The arroyo merges with a larger drainage, and continues under train trestles.

After diverting to a dirt road, the route quickly starts climbing past southernmost Manzanos.

The morning continues with several miles of climbing dirt roads.

As the route passes through juniper and pinon, I start looking for high mountains, since the trail will rise towards one of the highest peaks by end of day.

Pine Shadow Trail, near trailhead, begins near a picnic area with running spring. Since water sources will be scarce on the crest, I fill up with as much water as can be carried.

Crest Trail starts getting hard near a burn area, with many fallen logs to climb, and disappearing path in places.

Opportunistic thickets overgrow the path in spots, and slow down hiking.

Clouds make a sudden appearance, with thunderstorms and showers. A light show of electricity performs as I fall asleep on a high exposed ridge at 9500 feet.

Later in the night, as clouds disperse, lights from towns below become clear, from Socorro, Los Lunas, and even a vast sea of twinkling Albuquerque.