CDT JOY: Scholarships – The Trek

Day 112: 27.8 miles

Highlights: Off-trail water

At night, the wind whipped the trees. My tent stakes were secure enough in the loose sand with stones on top.

I woke up around 6am and had a muddy breakfast before packing my things. It was about 50 degrees outside and it was nice to start out in just my hiking clothes and raincoat.

The sun was rising as I began walking and I saw rain clouds in the distance reflecting cold purple tones on the landscape around me.

Today I walked across one mesa and then climbed 2000 feet to the top of another mesa. We needed to be careful with the water, as some of the sources were seasonal and off-piste. Today we drink water from a big tire, a cow and a cement water tank.

Midnight with Viennese sausages

During lunch we saw comments about the magic of the trails, but in the container there was only a can of Viennese sausages and some crackers. We opened the can to share, but it was difficult to eat them all.

At the last water source, I cooked beans and rice for dinner and then carried 3 liters of water for a dry camp and 25 mile water haul.

Free Samples, Whiskers, Midnight and walked a few miles into the dusk and night before camping in some trees. The cowboy boys camped and I pitched my tent with the vestibule open.

Day 113: 29.0 miles

Highlights: Mount Taylor Summit

This morning it was over 25 degrees colder than the day before. It was 34F when we woke up with the ground and equipment covered in frost. I wasn’t prepared and although I woke up cold, I wasn’t awake enough to put on extra layers.

I started walking in my Tumble On wool tunic that I bought at Chama and my rain gear. The rain gear provided a nice break from the cold morning wind.

The trail started on a dirt road and I cruised at over three miles per hour. We did 10 miles before 10am and took a break in the sun. My right side hurt a little, so I took the time to stretch it.

Our next lunch break was at the Mt Taylor Alternate junction. I really love crackers with babybell cheese and salami for lunch. While we were eating, some members of the group, including me, were undecided about which path to take. The alternative was about 3 more miles and an additional 1,000 feet of elevation gain, but it represented the last chance to hike above 10,000 feet and the last major climb on the trail.

I liked the idea of ​​hitting this peak while I was here and in a position to do it, but the idea of ​​three miles less sounded great too. My body has been pretty sore from these long water carries and big days of hiking on compacted dirt.

In the end, most of us climbed Mount Taylor. The climb was gradual and mostly followed a dirt road. We took photos at the summit and I quickly descended as the wind picked up and my hands went numb.

Midnight and me on the summit of Mount Taylor

I camped a few miles further on on a grassy knoll surrounded by trees. I ate peanut butter sriracha chicken ramen in the dark and went to sleep.

Day 114: 19 miles

Highlights: Progress towards grants. Taco town.

During the night it was almost freezing and I felt cold with all my layers. I know a few more nights like this and my body will adjust, but even a hand warmer in my sleeping bag wasn’t enough.

In the morning I decided to walk around in my purple wool pants, my Tumble On wool tunic, and my Enlightened Equipment vest. The combination was comfortable until 10am, when the sun fully came out.

Today’s trail was pretty much all downhill to a highway and then about 8 miles of walking through town to get to the hotels.
On the way we passed a prison with a sign not to pick up hitchhikers.

Do not pick up hitchhikers sign

On the outskirts of town there was a restaurant called Taco Village and we made a stop. I had a Navajo taco and a small burger. This morning and yesterday, Midnight kept joking about getting burgers for trail magic, so when I saw a burger on the menu at a taqueria, I just needed to live the «y» life and get a taco and a burger.

The food was excellent and from there Midnight and Whiskers headed to the post office, while I headed to the Super 8. At the post office, Midnight picked up a car package from our trail angel and friend Sage, who sent her hand warmers and gifts for the trail. It was a great pleasure!

Thanks for the Trail Magic Sage!!

In the evening I did laundry and had dinner, then restocked at Walmart. I went to bed around 11pm.

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