- NNML 2026 Day 6, June 23, Tuesday
- Start S2 20.6 Rito Penas Negras
- End S2 46.8 on CDT / NNML
- Miles walked: 26.2
I see rail fences sometimes in this ranger district. What is that about?
After following 2-track and a bit of cross-country, the route joins Penas Negras Trail 32,which soon enters the San Pedro Parks Wilderness.
(As a reminder, parks are high mountain meadows. San Pedro Parks are on a sort of mesa, 4 miles by 8 miles, about 10k elevation.) I do not remember hiking in such dry Parks, though I do tend to visit earlier in the year. Typically I have to dodge around boggy areas, but not today. Some of the normally lush grass has bits of brown.
I am having to climb over a few blowdowns, but not too bad. My usual water sources are dry. When the route joins the CDT, I take a chance and head off-route towards Rio de las Vacas for a half-mile, and do find my one water source for the day.
Along the CDT, heading out of the Parks, is a region with a lot of blowdown, all cleared from the trail.
Descending, colorful sandstone cliffs of a canyon that leads into the Chama River can be glimpsed.
Finished audiobook Propaganda, by Edward Bernays.
Finished audiobook The Syndic, by C M Kornbluth.