Month: April 2025

• CDT NM 2025 Day 18, Thursday, April 24
• Start mile 448.4 beginning Chain of Craters
• End mile 473.5
• Miles walked: 25.1

The route goes on top of a lava flow, with crevasses, caves, collapsed domes, and otherworldly swirling shapes, that I fear the camera cannot fully capture. The flow sustains thriving vegetation with the smallest bits of soil.

Hiking on the lava requires intense concentration, following cairns and keeping upright under strange footing.

I was hoping the route would go by more lava flows today, but instead we go through range and forest, and past some cinder cones.

But at least we remain free of dirt road the entire day. Hoping for more lava tomorrow.

Finished audiobook The First Sir Percy: An Adventure of the Laughing Cavalier, by Baroness Emma Orczy.

• CDT NM 2025 Day 17, Wednesday, April 23
• Start mile 414.5 Toaster House
• End mile 448.4 start Chain of Craters
• Miles walked: 33.9

The route takes 603 to York Ranch Road, and stays on that nearly all day. Here is a picture of the road, not terribly interesting, but if I have to look at it all day, so should you.

In about 15 miles is TLC Ranch, which provides water and camping to hikers. Most of this road is private land, so a camping opportunity is welcome.

The road is sand, gravel, or caliche, typically going through juniper pinon forest. In the afternoon I see a stepped mesa/ridge in the distance, characteristic of the Grants area.

A solar well provides water for the day.

Going by York Ranch, the day is intensely hot, with no shade opportunities.

Three hikers are behind me about a half mile back. Then I see them pass by in a pickup truck, taking a right turn to parts unknown.

Finally past York Ranch, I get to the first view of a lava flow.

I need to go along pavement for two miles at sunset to get to the beginning of the cairns at Chain of Craters.

Finished audiobook Witch of the Demon Seas, by Poul Anderson.

• CDT NM 2025 Day 16, Tuesday, April 22
• Start near mile 414.5, Toaster House
• End near mile 414.5, Toaster House
• Miles walked: ZERO

It is my day off. No news.

The Gatherin Place II was open today, and I enjoyed a burger there, and NM apple pie to go.

The seating is family-style at large tables, so you can chat with new acquaintances. Stop by the bakery next door and watch pies being made.

Hikers Waterboy,  Machete Chill,  Stitch, and Macarena came by Toaster House.

(The title is an inside joke for electronics geeks.)

Finished audiobook The Defenders, by Philip K Dick.