Journey Day 473 | CDT Day 136

From Brazos Ridge, you could see the Sangre De Cristos and other mountains, including the San Juans, from where I’d been.

10/28/87

Up early, but slow in getting ready. Cold, but no freeze. Slight snow, but enjoy security of trees, lower elevations. Trail again muddy, jeep roads churned by hunters' trucks. Climb to Brazos Ridge, sign looking to Cruces Wilderness, then hike on, enjoy views to Sangre De Cristos, San Juans back in Colorado, San Antonio Mountain, mesas - classic New Mexican scenery.

Drop from ridge, soon on logging road, more hunters pass. Leave road for snowmobile trail-jeep track. Hike through park to canyon, descend steeply, cross creek, climb to near Tierra Amarilla Grant boundary. Drop off plateau near Grant boundary, descending to the head of Rio San Antonio. Follow down on patchy, rocky, intermittent trail. Break at spring, no rain. Shed some clothes, hike up to side valley, follow sometimes patchy trail til near the head, climb ridge out. Cross through gate, trail ends, follow gate up to Tierra Amarilla fence. Climb along, use other side, to high point. Basically follow boundary up, down, through aspens, spruce until hit east-west fence at edge of sloping park.

Drop to road through park, walk over to junction near boundary. Hunters pass second stop, outfitter and Mississippi customer talk awhile. They offer beer, luckily (due to my medication) I settle for Coke, remembering at the last moment. Ride in bed to pond. Dropped off, hike over, choose spot and pitch. Case pond area for spring, end up scooping from pool, possibly a spring, feeding nasty pond. Cook and crash. More coyotes on a starry, starry night.