August 2018 – Sagebrush Trails

Datil Well 2018

This could be my third trail project with NMVFO at Datil Well BLM Campground, between the VLA and Pie Town. Ranchers used the Magdadena Stock Driveway in the 19th and 20th centuries to move cattle and sheep between Springerville, AZ and the railroad at Magdalena, NM. Wells were drilled every 10 miles or so to provide water for the animals, and Datil Well is the site of one of those wells. A tiny museum/visitor center is at the main campground near the camp hosts, well worth a visit.

We stayed at the group campground August 24-26, 2018. Some used campers, and the rest of us were in tents. Friday night we dined at the nearby Eagle Guest Ranch. Rain fell before dinner and during the first night.

We cut a large span of new trail in grassy soil, with few rocks and obstacles to slow us down. Continue reading “Datil Well 2018”

PCT 2018

PCT 2018 Trail Journal Table of Contents

California

Oregon

Washington

Enter Washington
Green Tunnel Vision
Trout Lake
Goat Rocks Wilderness July 25
White Pass
Urich Cabin
A Day of Gear
Snoqualmie Pass July 30
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Bonus Alpine Lakes August 1
Stevens Pass
Glacier Peak Wilderness
Alpine Challenge
Bannock Lake Fire Detour August 5
Holden Village and Stehekin
Rainy Pass
Harts Pass
Manning Park August 9

All PCT Posts by Tag

But what’s the difference between a live hero and a dead moron? …One dumb decision.
Queen Margo, The Magicians S3-E2, “Heroes and Morons”

(PDF download of trip journal)

Manning Park

PCT 2018 Day 109, August 9, Thursday Start campsite near Rock Pass, mile 2635.4 End Manning Park resort, mile 2658.9

Miles walked: 23.5

The trail goes to Rocky Pass, but with more switchbacks than appears here.Haze obscures some views.

We have not shown a lake in a blog post for a while, so here you go.

Bible, the young guy and not the older gentleman already mentioned in this blog, was returning from the monument. He refers to the older Bible as the Old Testament.

Later I meet Goofy, who is flipping. I meet Brazil Nut. When I gave her my trail name, she remembered where in Montana we met before, what color shirt I was wearing, the fact that I was recording trail names of all southbounders, and that I told her about a water source. What a memory!

She reached the border, with a very fast hike, 66 days, not quite the women’s record, and has now completed a triple crown. She is hiking back to Harts Pass to find a ride, instead of continuing on to Canada this year.

I reach the monument at the border with Canada around noon.