After finally finding the correct trail, my day is dozens of river crossings, as the Gila meanders back and forth between canyon walls. The route easy to follow with cairns and visible tread, but requires high effort ascending and descending to the river, and slogging through water.
The water comes up no higher than my knees, and the temperature is comfortable.
Miles walked: 6.4 Walnut Creek Alt + 1.8 Gomez Pk + 2.2 CDT + 1.2 Gila Alternate + 14.6 – 2.4 Gila River Alternate = 23.8 miles
Departing Silver City early, I regret not being able to explore its buildings and thriving downtown more fully.
North of Silver City is a roadwalk again, more than 4 miles. A silly puppy comes out to greet me, but I wish its human was more careful about cars on the road.
More road walk was optional, but I choose to divert through Gomez Peak trail system.
A word about alternates: CDT has several alternate routes, so you can choose your own adventure, more so than other national scenic trails. Today will offer more alternate choices than anywhere else on the trail.
Courtesy FarOut app
Along Bear Creek and later Sycamore Creek there are still pools of water that can be filtered.
The route passes by some rock towers, that might be hoodoos in Utah.
Then the route goes on slickrock, marked by cairns.
Four day hikers with 8 dogs tell me about a hermit that lives near the trail, who makes beer. I do not see him.
The trail goes through a really brushy area where it is difficult to find the route, and then makes a steep climb. I meet Friendly in a rare flat area.
End mile 0.7 of Walnut Creek Alternate starting at mile 156.3
Miles walked: 14.5
The route into Silver City requires a 11.6 mile hike along Highway 180. Not ideal, but best done first thing in the cool of the morning.
My lodging is at Stonehouse Inn, an AirBnB with hiker amenities: shared kitchen, laundry, close to downtown, optional outdoor shower, Cody the dog to pet, and a lurking cat.
No other hikers were at Stonehouse with me, and I saw none while walking in Silver City.
Adobe Springs has a nice shady outdoor eating area, and provides the inevitable image of a hamburger that seems to be included in all my hiking journals.
Food Basket provided resupply, then I walk back to my lodging to repackage, and relax a bit.
