Journey Day 506 | CDT Day 169

Sunset along the Continental Divide in New Mexico in 1987.

11/30/87

Up and on the ridge quickly, hoping to find my way found. Hike east-southeast, easy ridge walking, cross one ravine, up ridge. Minimal heavy overgrowth nice after yesterday. Down ridge to road.

Hike west, soon at Kelly Ranch house. No one around, no water, but a sign for Trail 503 Frisco River 7. I'm way too far west, I decide, so I hike east, never crossing trail that I was to have used. Decide anyway its best to hike to 141, a gravel raceway for logging and gravel trucks running loads up and down the road.

A long walk with little enjoyment. Truck fumes, haze as they pass, noise a flashback I'd rather have left forgotten. But it does take me to road back in. One near collision. I direct traffic expertly. Hike in to less used road, back over the Divide, pass gravel pit, a forest ranger, perhaps same one I meet tomorrow, but I don't stop him today.

Camp near road I end up on tomorrow, boil snow and crash after reading far west adventures.