- CDT NM 2025 Day 27, Saturday May 3
- Start mile 682.6 near Mesa View Trail
- End mile 703.3
- Miles walked: 19.8 (using Ghost Ranch Alt)
I take Rim Vista Trail down from the edge, admiring the rock-work used to build the trail.
I also admire how old trail is closed with interlaced logs.
At the bottom I can see cliffs that would be familiar to anyone who visited Ghost Ranch before, including Chimney Rock,
On Ghost Ranch property, I try to follow the Alternate route, but it is tricky. Here I cross a bridge over an arroyo…
… and then see a Bridge Closed sign on the other side.
Chimney Rock comes into better view.
Finally getting to the Visitor Center, the friendly staff give me my food box I mailed here, and I repackage food on the porch.
Spokes and Mama Troll show up while I am working, and then Southern Comfort, who is staying the night. The rest of us will press on today, after snacks and perhaps exploring Ghost Ranch a bit.
Nearby is an Anthropology Museum, and I browse the displays.
I particularly like how they show this vase was reassembled.
They also have a dinosaur museum, with a display of researching fossils.
And I appreciate the dinosaurs.
Ghost Ranch has so much more to see, including art exhibits and interesting architecture, but I must move on. A hogan can be explored on Box Canyon Trail.
The route takes us into a box canyon, with no visible exit. Many fine cliffs are on display.
A trail, hard to find, is used to climb out of the box.
Just as soon as we are on Forest Service land, the cliffs lose their color. I guess the USFS did not have budget for paint.
A long green lizard dashes over several boulders, before stopping on this rock that has green lichen. He hopes I cannot see him on the green rock.
Climbing up, we can see Chimney Rock from the back side.
Continuing to climb, the route goes up a final rim, so I am about back to the elevation I started with this morning.
After climbing gradually, I am at 9.2k, facing a cold night.
A grove of aspens are all scarred, likely from elk rubbing antlers.
This area reminds me of Scottish highlands, except higher.
Finished audiobook The Great GatsBy, by F Scott Fitzgerald.