Tag: GET

Thursday, May 26, 2016
Grand Enchantment Trail section hike Polvadera NM to Tijeras NM, starting here
Day 5
Start waypoint 1 mile past 35175 Ojo del Indio spring, Segment 35 mile 16.8
Stop waypoint mile 3.8 of Segment 36, near Tajique Campground
Miles walked [Segment 35] 27.1-16.8 + [Segment 36] 3.8 = 14.1

Still following the Crest Trail, sometimes we have to climb down and then back up, like here at Comanche Pass.

Here is another view looking down the pass from the heights.

To the east, we can see White Sands in the distance.

After a time the trail passes a huge open meadow, shown here with the Sandia Mountains in the background.

On the approach to Fourth of July Campground some large buildings came into view far down below, which appeared to be a summer camp.

Later, road signs confirmed it is a Baptist camp.

West of the town of Los Lunas a huge dark flat rectangle comes into view, here partially obscured by cloud shadow. (Later research reveals this is a huge solar array.)

A word about the trail… overgrown. Scrub oak and thorny plants often encroach into the Crest Trail and takes some getting used to pushing through for miles at a time.

The tread is often faint, and cattle trails confuse the true path.

However, I often grumble at this point on hikes, and then eventually my eves adjust and can pick out faint tread more easily, so don”t mind me.

Coming into Fourth of July Campground, we see what gives it its name.

A large stand of maple trees thrive here, and no where else in the state. All our other tree leaves turn yellow in the fall, but these turn brilliant red, which someone compared to fireworks at the Fourth of July. People come from miles around to visit the trees in color.

I pass by this campground and head down to Tajique Campground a few miles down the road, and see this.

Oh well, it is National Forest land across the road, so fair game for stealth camping by backpackers.
I need to stop here, causing a short hiking day, because the next 27 or so miles is a road walk along private land where camping is not allowed, so must be walked in one go. (There are unofficial routes that do stealth walking on private land, but having some idea of the feelings of the land grant families in this area, I would not dream of stepping foot on private property around here.)
I will not hitch, but accept a ride on NM 337 if offered. Which I do not expect.

[no audiobooks today]

 

Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Grand Enchantment Trail section hike Polvadera NM to Tijeras NM, starting here
Day 4
Start waypoint 35030 Segment 35 mile 2.3, a few miles from the summit of Manzano Peak
Stop waypoint 1 mile past 35175, Ojo del Indio spring, Segment 35 mile 16.8
Miles walked [Segment 35] 16.8 – 2.3 = 14.5

Approaching Manzano Peak, one can make out the thin green strip of vegetation along the Rio Grande far below.

At the top, we are rather high up.

Glorious panoramas stretch out in all directions.

More than my little cell camera can handle.

Later, I spy a remaining patch of snow, and see several more throughout the day.

The crest trail goes along the ridgeline of the Manzanos all day, full of impressive views.
The Trigo Fire causes some peaks to be naked in their majestic beauty.

And more views.

A good day of challenging hiking along the ridgeline.

[finished audiobook Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery]

 

Tuesday, May 23, 2016
Grand Enchantment Trail section-hike Polvadera NM to Tijeras NM, starting here
Day 3
Start waypoint north of 33470 Section 33 mile 39.6, a few miles south of US60
Stop waypoint 35030 Segment 35 mile 2.3, on Pine Shadow Trail a few miles from the summit of Manzano Peak
Miles walked [Segment 33] 42.5 – 39.6 + [Segment 34] 15.3 + [Segment 35] 2.3 = 20.5

In a few miles I reach US60, where a food cache was hidden under a tree. I had taken a photo when hiding to remember which tree.

Water bottles and goodies were included in the cache box to offer as a surprise treat for other hikers, known as “trail magic”.

I had tested when hiding the cache how far down US60 until a cell signal could be found, so I could signal Base Support of my continued health.

But after walking much further down the highway, more than a mile, I still not send a text, even with several bars.moral of the story: don’t rely on a signal meter to test for cell reception, but instead actually place a test call or text to see if it goes through!

The trail follows a rocky arroyo for several miles, enclosed enough to provide some shade.

Surrounding cliffs become tall and rugged.

When the arroyo joins another larger arroyo, pools of water were found, welcome since all seasonal springs along the route have dried up.

The arroyo passes under train trestles.

Leaving the wash, the route goes along a two-track road which climbs for a number of miles.

Formidable rocky mountain faces start to appear in the distance.
After going on a forest service road, one arrives at the trailhead for Pine Shadow Trail, going up Manzano Peak, the first actual man-made trail of this trip.

I find a rare flat spot a few miles down from the peak, to escape wind and exposure, and rest up for good climbs and scenic views expected tomorrow.

[completed audiobook The Wizard That Wasn’t, by Ben Rovik]