Thur, 9May - Mt Taylor

Wow,  best day so far.  Yesterday I enjoyed a zero mileage day to relax in Grants.  A bit run down, with lots of closed business's, but everyone was friendly.  But today was grand.  Hiking out of town you climb a really nice trail up to the top of a Mesa.  Then with views down into Grants and ahead toward the mountains it's easy and beautiful hiking.  

Then comes the climb up Mt Taylor at 11,301 feet.  I think I read its the highest point in northwestern New Mexico.  Well the climb and views are fantastic.  The top is a bald with views everywhere.  On the climb the ravines had chunks of snow in them and the tree belt had patches of snow three feet deep.  I am camping right at the summit but it sure is getting cold up here in the thin air.  Went from shorts and a T-shirt to wearing everything I own as soon as I made the summit.  It's clouding up so no sunset but still a wonderful spot.  After dinner the soft sound of snowflakes landing on my tent as a snow sqaul passed through.

Tue, 7May - Zuni Canyon into Grants NM

Almost stepped on a Rattle Snake this morning. He jumped back and angry rattled and good thing or I would have stepped on him. The hike through Zuni Canyon was very scenic even if it was a gravel road walk. Bands of reds and browns and lots of lava tunnels, flows, and splatters along the route. There were interpretive signs along the way for the Zuni Mtn Train route but you couldn't read them because they we're all shot up as well as all the road signs. Guess its the Wild West. Lots of depressed closed store fronts in Grants but the people are friendly. A $30 hotel on Route 66 for the night and meeting up with Pacer and Mike Meg for dinner.

Mon, 6 May - El Malpais and La Ventana Natural Arch

Fantastic day! Last night after dinner it looked stormy so I set up my tent for the first time on this trip. That's when I discovered the cactus in my camp - lol. Only a light sprinkle but of coarse when I started to break camp it started raining. I did what any good thru-hiker would do; rolled over an slept a few more hours! Started out again at 10:30am along the fantastic views from the Rim Trail. Jagged rock cliffs and views of the ocean of lava fields spread out below me.

Following the rim for four miles you come to a magnificent view of La Ventana Natural Rock Arch. Then the real fun begins! First a steep rock scramble with full backpack off the rim down to the tourist spot. Then a fantastic traverse of the Zuni Acoma route across the El Malpais lava fields. Eight miles of climbing, scrambling, skidding, cursing, stumbling, and falling over loose lava rocks, oceans of lava tubes, domes, fissures, caves, you name it. Up and down huge lava flows with cracks that you had to hop over that were 10-20 feet deep. No real trail but a rock cairn every 20-30 feet. And believe me you needed them. Made from the same lava rocks they blend in and this place is a maze. A very cool area but after 8 miles my feet were ready to be done with it. Passed a sign that said trail magic 3 miles ahead. I'm camping at 4 miles with no sign of it. Sad to have missed it and hope I have enough water since I had expected to get some there. A great day!

Sun, 5May - Bonine, Sand & Cebolle Canyons

Hiked through Bonine, Sand and Cebolia Canyons. Bonine had some scrambling and route finding. Backtracked 3-1/2 miles where I rejoined the main route so I could see the 1200ad pueblo stone house with 1400's additions and some nearby petroglyphs. Heading out to one of the windmills for water and I got caught in my first sand storm. Couldn't see a thing and tumble weeds were smashing against my legs. I just had to laugh when I got to the windmill in this wind and like magic the wind, and windmill, stopped dead. The water that was gushing as I approached was a trickle. Thankfully the wind returned in a few minutes and a had plenty of fresh water. On the road walk up to the Rim Narrows trail I watched a herd of elk cross the road. So did two girls in a little car; which they parked on the sandy shoulder and got stuck. Had to help push them out. Lol. Camping on the rim at the start of the Narrows.

Sat, 4May2013 - The nice folks at Thomas Mtn Ranch

Sun, 4Apr - Dazzle and I left Pie Town 3 hours apart. Just as I was leaving Beacon showed up! Tough to leave the Toaster House. I met Rockstar and her friend, who were giving a ride to Medicare Paster so she could slack pack and rest her feet. We talked a while along side the road. Tom, who I met in town also is having foot problems. Guess I'm doing ok this year. Met the Thomas's at Thomas Mtn Ranch to get water and they sucked me in for two hours talking. What a great couple. Never caught up with Dazzle because I turned off at Wild Horse Ranch to hike the purple route up Bonine Canyon. Great weather for hiking!

Wed, May 1st - Makgas Mountain Fire Lookout

Ice in my water bottle this morning. Saw a fresh dead cow, met a real cowboy herding cows. Got disoriented where the new CDT splits with the old. I thought i either missed or had to continue on th CDT to the next spring. I ended up hiking an extra couple miles on the new CDT to get water from a spring then go cross- country to regain the route up Makgas Mountain, 9700 feet. Not a bad thing i guess since the spring i missed was dry i hear. Snow on road at the fire lookout. Caretaker gave me a tour of the fire tower and let me stay in the loft of the hut. great sunset.

Fri, May 3 - Pie Town and the Toaster House

Met Dazzle on the hike into Pie Town. What a wonderful town. Everyone is so nice, happy, friendly, and seem to love it here. Dirt roads and a stop sign as the center of town. Nita took us on car tour of town last night. Today I toured the windmill museum and the Very Long Baseline Array antenna. Group of us having dinner at the Good Pie Cafe.