- NNML 2026 Day 5, June 22, Monday
- Start S1 mile 77.6 near La Cueva
- End S2 mile 20.6, Rito Penas Negras, dry
- Miles walked: 21.4
The store for my resupply would not open until 8:30, so I stopped at a nearby picnic area and rinsed out my clothes. T
The store is under new ownership as Paisleys, and the staff seem really nice and let me charge electronics, and they had plenty of basics for backpacking food.
After a short roadwalk to the trailhead, one passes a bunch of “No trespassing” signs, which the guidebook assures us are bogus.
The route follows the Rio San Antonio for a while, flowing nicely.
As I climb along 2-track, ponderosa forest is replaced by fir and spruce.
The route follows along the Rio San Antonio for some miles. Beaver dam analogs have been installed along the river to push water out onto the banks, wetting the meadow.
We are getting more open meadows, as we get closer to San Pedro Parks.
I meet Kate and Josh from St Louis, and we chat about elevation, horse feed, manure, and farriers.
An unusual sign.
I follow the Rio Cebolla in a long straight valley for some miles. They are also using beaver dam analogs here to improve the meadow.
After a maze of 2-tracks and climbing, aspens appear among fir and spruce.
I was really hoping for water at my destination, a crossing with Rio Perchas, but no joy.
Finished audiobook The Shame of Motley, by Rafael Sabatini.