Start: Gila Alternate 5.4
Stop: Gila Alternate 22.3
Today’s Miles: 16.9
Total CDT miles: 170.3
Today was a long, long day. I slept ok enough, and woke to the sounds of so many different birds singing. I felt a little like Snow White was about to start singing, too. It was cold outside, so I snuggled in my sleeping bag a little longer and waited until I knew for sure Pebbles was up and moving. We packed and started hiking by 7:30am.
We passed several water spots, all natural water but just pools surrounded by rocks, nothing was actually “flowing.” It was a easy few miles in the cool morning air, before all the big climbs and stifling heat came. After such a wonderful morning of easy walking, the trail became overgrown with lots of downed tree logs to clamber over and scrape up my legs. Ugh.
I do have to say, as hot as it was and annoying as it was to lose trail and have to use the app to find it again for what felt like all of eternity, the views were gorgeous and we were surrounded by more trees! Even though it’s more difficult, the trees and climbs do make me happy. That flat, desert shrub brush will never be more beautiful than being surrounded by a forest of trees of any kind! I feel like they’re our gentle, silent giants, and I just love them.
Speaking of, we had our lunch in a pine bed forest. We still had had lots of miles to make after lunch, though, so that fact sort of ruined the peacefulness of our lunch spot. Right after eating, we climbed up and over a very steep saddle. The views were great, and I’d know because I kept having to stop every 5 1/2 seconds to catch my breath. I was just complaining to myself that there’s no way this trail was made for horses and cattle, like the PCT, because of its steep grade-and I be damned if two men on horseback didn’t come walking along. Hmmmph.
We stopped to get water from a tank with a spigot, right at a corral and parking area. This must be where the horse owners drive in and park when they take the horses out walking. We sat for a good thirty minutes, shoes and socks off. My feet are so sore today, but the blisters don’t seem as bad, so I’m happy with the new shoes. Eventually, I shoved my tortured feet back into them and we started hiking again. With 2.5 miles left to get to camp, around 5pm, I stopped to rest my feet again. I’m kind of irritated with my pace today, it’s taking everything out of me to get what feels like nowhere.
There were a zillion switchbacks down into the valley floor. After what I assume was 18 lifetimes, we finally made it. There’s still water nearby, along a huge rock face. We have a nice spot to camp, with trees around and crickets chirping. Tomorrow we will actually find the Gila River, finally, and apparently we’ll see it moving-flowing-running. What a dream!
Ok, I can barely keep my eyes open. I’m dead. Good night.