May 23, 2013
Ghost Ranch
I haven't been able to post much since I am subject to the computer capabilities of the small motels along our route. And we usually only stay in motels when they are close to the CDNST. Many nights we are sleeping on the trail or car camping. I suspect my postings will continue to be sporadic as we move forward. To see our progress, please refer to the Where Are They Now tab. We are carrying a DeLorme In Reach tracking device that we activate when we are hiking. Note that we typically drive north and walk south so the blue arrow (where we stop) will be south of the the most northern spot we have walked. If you click on any circle it will tell you when we were at that location.
We are currently resting at a magical high desert retreat called Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. This 21,000 acre ranch is nestled in a valley surrounded on three sides by sandstone mesas and rocks with formations like chimneys. The landscape artist, Georgia O'Keeffe, purchased property here in 1934 and many of her well-known works were painted in this area.
Weather: The weather has become warmer. It has been in the 80"s when we have been in the high desert, cooler when we have climbed into the mountains. It continues to be dry.
Impressions:
* Since my last posting we have eaten delicious pie in, of course, Pietown!
* We have camped at the Thomas Ranch where loose burros followed our every move - especially around dinner time!
* We walked over the top of Mt. Taylor (11,301 feet). Approaching the summit we saw elk running in a pack of wild horses - Wow!
* We have hiked up, down and around multicolored desert sandstone mesas and hoodoos.
* A few days ago we climbed up to cold, marshy meadows that span the top of the San Padres Park Wilderness. The wet meadows, created from recent snow melt, are between 10,000 and 10,500 feet. This meant that we had cold, wet feet for a few miles as we splashed through soggy meadows.
* We had Beacon, a through-hiker, riding/camping with us for a few days as he worked through a foot injury. He was great company and provided us with a wealth of trail information since he is hiking the CDNST for the second time. He has also completed the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail!
* We have met over 50 through-hikers that are attempting to hike the trail from the south. Hikers from the north usually start around June 15. This is reportedly a banner year for hikers on the trail.
Our condition: Mike's ankle injury seems to be a thing of the past and blisters have become calluses. We both feel fit and strong but experience a variety of minor aches and pains. I have developed a strange lump under my left knee that seems to be connected to occasional bouts of pain up the front of my lower leg and lack of knee flexibility. Nonetheless, we march on.
Coming up: We have about 80 miles left to finish hiking the trail in New Mexico! After that, we will take a pit stop at home in CO and then head north to Wyoming.
Total Miles to Date: 597
We are currently resting at a magical high desert retreat called Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. This 21,000 acre ranch is nestled in a valley surrounded on three sides by sandstone mesas and rocks with formations like chimneys. The landscape artist, Georgia O'Keeffe, purchased property here in 1934 and many of her well-known works were painted in this area.
Weather: The weather has become warmer. It has been in the 80"s when we have been in the high desert, cooler when we have climbed into the mountains. It continues to be dry.
Impressions:
* Since my last posting we have eaten delicious pie in, of course, Pietown!
* We have camped at the Thomas Ranch where loose burros followed our every move - especially around dinner time!
* We walked over the top of Mt. Taylor (11,301 feet). Approaching the summit we saw elk running in a pack of wild horses - Wow!
* We have hiked up, down and around multicolored desert sandstone mesas and hoodoos.
* A few days ago we climbed up to cold, marshy meadows that span the top of the San Padres Park Wilderness. The wet meadows, created from recent snow melt, are between 10,000 and 10,500 feet. This meant that we had cold, wet feet for a few miles as we splashed through soggy meadows.
* We had Beacon, a through-hiker, riding/camping with us for a few days as he worked through a foot injury. He was great company and provided us with a wealth of trail information since he is hiking the CDNST for the second time. He has also completed the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail!
* We have met over 50 through-hikers that are attempting to hike the trail from the south. Hikers from the north usually start around June 15. This is reportedly a banner year for hikers on the trail.
Our condition: Mike's ankle injury seems to be a thing of the past and blisters have become calluses. We both feel fit and strong but experience a variety of minor aches and pains. I have developed a strange lump under my left knee that seems to be connected to occasional bouts of pain up the front of my lower leg and lack of knee flexibility. Nonetheless, we march on.
Coming up: We have about 80 miles left to finish hiking the trail in New Mexico! After that, we will take a pit stop at home in CO and then head north to Wyoming.
Total Miles to Date: 597
View from Welcome Center at Ghost Ranch. Ghost Ranch is a 21,000 acre retreat nestled among sandstone cliffs and not far from Lake Abiquiu.
North of Ghost Ranch
North of Ghost Ranch. Cerro Pedernal in the distance - made familiar through popular painting by Georgia O'Keefe.
Trail goes through Pie Town which consists of two pie restaurants (including Pie -O- Neer) , a park, a small RV camping site and a few houses. That's it!
The Toaster House in Pie Town where hikers are welcome to stay for free. Door is always open and hikers come and go.
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In NM anything can be used as yard art - toasters, toilets, etc. It isn't trash, it is yard art!
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Loose burros checking out our stuff as we car camped at Thomas Ranch
Seeing wild horses was amazing, but elk running with wild horses - even more amazing!
Hiking on the mesas south of Cuba
Mike coming off of a mesa
Passing hoodoo as we walked down off a mesa
Shade from clouds made traversing mesas very pleasant
