Month: April 2025

• CDT NM 2025 Day 24, Wednesday April 30
• Start mile 613.1 near spring
• End mile 628.5 Cuba
• Miles walked: 15.4

The route climbs up and down more cliffs, on a well-constructed path with steps, sometimes carved out of sandstone. We also hike along the edge of cliffs and enjoy the geology.

A roadwalk on pavement for a few miles brings me to the town of Cuba around 12:30. Though it is too early to check into a motel room, I can do laundry, which is where I meet Southern Comfort

After getting a few groceries for the short jump to the next resupply, I check into Frontier Motel around 2PM. A shower and clean clothes are delightful.

I had stayed at Cuban Lodge 12 years ago, and wanted to try a different spot. Stitch, Darby, Machete, and Chill are sharing a room at the same motel, and we agree to go out to dinner together later.

Until then, I have not had lunch yet, and stop at nearby El Bruno’s for chips and salsa.

There is a place nearby operating out of a gas station, called Chaco’s Grill, that serves some of the best and cheapest grub in town, where all the locals go. Chill recommended the fry bread, and I concur.

Our hiker mob also goes to El Bruno’s for dinner, quite excellent. Watch out for the red chile, it is potent.

Finished audiobook The Ethical Engineer, by Harry Harrison, a sequel to Deathworld.

• CDT NM 2025 Day 23, Tuesday April 29
• Start mile 586.2 down from mesa
• End mile 613.1 near spring
• Miles walked: 26.9

I start the day crossing a deep river channel, dry. Could this be the Rio Puerco?

All day the route follows cairns past strange shapes formed out of sandstone and shale.

I pass the camp for Stitch and Machete.

A pileup of tumbleweeds blocks the route. Tiny tumbleweed sprouts are thick in the tread.

I pass castles, towers, cathedrals, and moats formed out of stone.

For the first time on this trip I see sagebrush, a narrow-leaf variety.

The route follows along the edge of cliffs, traverses slickrock, and makes an intricate path through the sandstone maze.

Finished audiobook The War of the Worlds, by H G Wells.

• CDT NM 2025 Day 22, Monday April 28
• Start mile 555.6
• End mile 586.2 down from mesa
• Miles walked: 30.6

For several miles I walk along dirt road, meh. More green grass is appearing as I journey northbound.

Near the Los Indios Spring, which involves a challenging scramble down, a trail angel has left a water cache. There’s enough water left for one or two hikers, after I get my allotment.

After going from Cibola National Forest to BLM, the route transitions from road to well-designed footpath. At a viewpoint one can observe that we have been hiking on top of a mesa, with cool landforms below.

I meet Brian, a southbound flip-flopping thru-hiker. He says he met several hikers today.

The route descends from the mesa, with breathtaking views, more than my camera can capture.

Down below I meet Creed, who is hiking with her dog Creed…

… and two horses!

I am afraid this journal might start getting filled with photos of landforms.

In the deep river channel I can see water flowing.

Later I discover that the water is an optical illusion. Clay from a previous water event had dried smooth enough to reflect the sun, making it look like water.

Clouds think about rain, but don’t bother.

New Mexico can suddenly change geology and ecosystems, perhaps more than any other state on the CDT.

Finished audiobook South Sea Tales, by Jack London.