Journey Day 488 | CDT Day 151

Cabezon remained a beacon in the high desert as I hiked south.

11/12/87

Hike toward Cabezon, take wrong fork, head alongside, view old ghost town Cabezon from afar. Wonderland of buttes, mesas, desert flora in an area under wilderness study by the BLM. When road heads west, I drop off to a road southwest, which soon hits bridge with a sign warning against crossing. Backtrack, eventually come to gate signed, "No Trespassing" and "Beware of Dog." But no choice, so hike on. Luckily no dogs, breathing hard I pass house, car parked in back. Horses study, but no sound.

I'm out, but road wrong-headed, so I slide down to Rio Puerco, cross wet wading, back up to better road, spied from the other side. Meet two young guys, then old hunter, take a break happily reoriented, possibly on a lucky shortcut. Up, back on BLM road, happily find well ranger had talked of with a pump before intersection. Camp in site "designated for hunters," enjoy water, read and crash