Day 13, Monday June 29, 2015
Start Just past 08-001WT A&M Reservoir, mile 1662.5
End near 08-234WT farm tank (pond), mile 1685.9
Most of the day is on pipeline road, that is, road to support a buried pipeline. Most pipelines are rather hidden, and do not have above-ground parts like this new natural gas pipeline.
A few power poles appear in places, then fade away.
The trail points toward this ridge that we will climb.
In places the pipeline road becomes loose sand, awkward to hike on.
Gradually I climb, not steep but long, only 1200 feet elevation gain.
Finally the first tree near the trail appears, the first tree in days.
In celebration, I take a long siesta under First Tree.
At higher elevation are more cattle, and some creeks and tanks do not look like good water sources in their presence, until I have to dramatically lower my standards.
On a ridge are signs of hydrocarbon drilling.
At the end of the day I fill and filter at this tank. Luckily the cows are hanging out at an adjacent tank, so I do not intrude on their meeting.
At the tank one can see more low basin below, previously hidden by ridges.
More basin tomorrow.