Jim (trail-name Sagebrush) codes audio software for Windows, Linux, Android, and embedded systems. When not working at sagebrush.com, he enjoys backpacking, which this blog is about.
I continue on Segment 86, noticing a few places to improve the next time I am out here doing trail maintenance.
Past the gate is the end of my segment, and the end of the Gila National Forest.
The route follows wood posts on BLM and state trust land, with no visible tread.
Soon shrubs disappear, and the posts are far apart, but easy to find, contrasting with the low tan grasses.
After seven miles walking cross country on grassland, I reach US60. Instead of a 12 mile roadwalk on pavement, I hitch, and after 30 minutes and 12 vehicles I get a ride with former CDT hiker with trailname Grace, who is now a very active trail angel, and was at Trail Days in Silver City.
She brings me to the famous hiker hostel Toaster House, where I run into Mesa Man, recently arrived.
We go to the Pie-O-Neer and have the best meal ever, mixed berry pie, pulled pork tostada, and the cook brings out a slice of a new pie recipe she has been working on, gratis.
I have such good memories of Toaster House 12 years ago, meeting Nita, the wonderful person who started it. So many different rooms, things to discover, posters, notes, books, and curios.
The shoe wall out on the comfortable wide porch brings back memories.
Mesa Man’s brother and friend join us later. The water is off in the hostel because of a leak, but someone is expected to come by and fix it soon. Water is available at the nearby RV place, and I grab a hot shower there, and grab enough water to do trail laundry.
Snow remained in shady spots, a reminder of the crazy day yesterday.
I hiked on top of mesas for much of the day, in ponderosa forest. Trees were scorched from some recent burn, and I could still smell traces of wood smoke. This appears to be a healthy burn, just scorching the trees and removing undergrowth, necessary for the life cycle in ponderosa woods.
Lower in elevation, the forest was mixed juniper and pinon.
I got water at Cassidera Springs, the only sure source for today.
In the afternoon I reach Segment 86!
People can adopt a section of the CDT, and go out and do maintenance on their segment; a couple of times a year. I had already worked on my 12-mile segment once this Spring.
Considering that most hikers skip my segment and do the Pie Town Alternate, the tread is looking pretty good on the southern end. I expected the path to be more overgrown with grass.
The Colorado/New Mexico border is at mile 777.2, so my trip is already half over!
