- 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.