Tag: CDT

• CDT NM 2025 Day 17, Wednesday, April 23
• Start mile 414.5 Toaster House
• End mile 448.4 start Chain of Craters
• Miles walked: 33.9

The route takes 603 to York Ranch Road, and stays on that nearly all day. Here is a picture of the road, not terribly interesting, but if I have to look at it all day, so should you.

In about 15 miles is TLC Ranch, which provides water and camping to hikers. Most of this road is private land, so a camping opportunity is welcome.

The road is sand, gravel, or caliche, typically going through juniper pinon forest. In the afternoon I see a stepped mesa/ridge in the distance, characteristic of the Grants area.

A solar well provides water for the day.

Going by York Ranch, the day is intensely hot, with no shade opportunities.

Finally past York Ranch, I get to the first view of a lava flow.

I need to go along pavement for two miles at sunset to get to the beginning of the cairns at Chain of Craters.

Finished audiobook Witch of the Demon Seas, by Poul Anderson.

• CDT NM 2025 Day 16, Tuesday, April 22
• Start near mile 414.5, Toaster House
• End near mile 414.5, Toaster House
• Miles walked: ZERO

It is my day off. No news.

The Gatherin Place II was open today, and I enjoyed a burger there, and NM apple pie to go.

The seating is family-style at large tables, so you can chat with new acquaintances. Stop by the bakery next door and watch pies being made.

Hikers Waterboy,  Machete Chill,  Stitch, and Macarena came by Toaster House.

(The title is an inside joke for electronics geeks.)

Finished audiobook The Defenders, by Philip K Dick.

• CDT NM 2025 Day 15, Monday, April 21
• Start mile 389.9, on Segment 86
• End near mile 414.5, Toaster House
• Miles walked/hitched: 24.6

I continue on Segment 86, noticing a few places to improve the next time I am out here doing trail maintenance.

Past the gate is the end of my segment, and the end of the Gila National Forest.

The route follows wood posts on BLM and state trust land, with no visible tread.

Soon shrubs disappear, and the posts are far apart, but easy to find, contrasting with the low tan grasses.

After seven miles walking cross country on grassland, I reach US60. Instead of a 12 mile roadwalk on pavement, I hitch, and after 30 minutes and 12 vehicles I get a ride with former CDT hiker with trailname Grace, who is now a very active trail angel, and was at Trail Days in Silver City.

She brings me to the famous hiker hostel Toaster House, where I run into Mesa Man, recently arrived.

We go to the Pie-O-Neer and have the best meal ever, mixed berry pie, pulled pork tostada, and the cook brings out a slice of a new pie recipe she has been working on, gratis.

I have such good memories of Toaster House 12 years ago, meeting Nita, the wonderful person who started it. So many different rooms, things to discover, posters, notes, books, and curios.

The shoe wall out on the comfortable wide porch brings back memories.

Mesa Man’s brother and friend join us later. The water is off in the hostel because of a leak, but someone is expected to come by and fix it soon. Water is available at the nearby RV place, and I grab a hot shower there, and grab enough water to do trail laundry.

Good day.

Finished audiobook All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque.