Jim, Sagebrush – Page 4 – Sagebrush Trails

Descent

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.

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.

Near Taylor

CDT NM 2025 Day 21, Sunday April 27
Start CDT mile 530.5, in heights after trailhead north of town
End mile 555.6
Miles walked: 25.1

A view of Grants rewards an early morning climb.

Someone added a bell to a cairn post, as the route continues on a mesa.

An alternate trail goes to the summit of Mt Taylor, but I stay on the red line.

The route goes on some bewildering ups and downs today, with trees hiding the shape of the terrain. We are often at an elevation to have aspens, too early to leaf out.

Thick forest with Ponderosa suggests a history of fire suppression, but I am just guessing.

I meet a hiker, Kangaroo, the first I have seen for days.

Gradually we are losing elevation. I see an elk grazing on green grass. We haven’t seen grass actually green much on this trip.

Gradually w

I meet someone filling a water cache at the end of the day: Thanks for helping us hikers! It is several miles until the next good water.

Finished audiobook Star Ship, by Poul Anderson.

Through Grants

CDT NM 2025 Day 20, Saturday April 26
Start Bonita Zuni Alternate mile 4
End CDT mile 530.5 in heights after trailhead north of town
Miles walked: 27.5

Continuing on Bonita Canyon, the route gets to Zuni Canyon and follows it east for several miles.

Zuni Canyon is narrower, with higher walls. The south-facing wall has less vegetation, and the geology is more visible.

The north-facing wall has more vegetation, with trees managing to grow on extremely steep slopes.

Zuni Canyon Road starts as a gravel road, and transitions to pavement on the approach to Grants.

Exiting the canyon walls brings us into the suburbs of Grants.

Twelve years ago when going through Grants I stopped at the Mining Museum. Now I see a History Museum that happens to be open, and notice there is a Historic Airways Museum to explore someday.

Did you know Grants was involved in growing carrots? I did not.

I knew about nearby Bluewater Canyon, but not Bluewater Dam, likely used to provide water for carrots.

Here is the first telephone switchboard for the city.

After the museum I appreciate the nearby park.

I stop at Smiths Grocery for food resupply and snacks, and then hike on. I have only been on trail for 3 nights since Toaster House, and am not ready to spend another night in town yet. Maybe at the next town, Cuba.

The road out of town passes by a prison.