First Tree

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.

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A few power poles appear in places, then fade away.

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The trail points toward this ridge that we will climb.

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In places the pipeline road becomes loose sand, awkward to hike on.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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At the tank one can see more low basin below, previously hidden by ridges.

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More basin tomorrow.

Author: Jim, Sagebrush

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.