City of Rocks along CDT Alternate Route

City of Rocks State Part is located  just off of highway 180, north of Deming. It caught my attention because  it is on the Ley Maps as an alternate route for the CDT, beginning at the Mexican border just south of Columbus, New Mexico. This is one of three southern possible starting locations., the others being Antelope Wells, the other, newer choice Crazy Cook.

This campground has water and lots of camp sites. The shade is critical as the heat builds, but thankfully the natural formations lend themselves to easy access.

There is running water, showers, and flush toilets. However the building housing those is closed between 9 p.m and 7:30 a.m. Three other outhouses are available as well as windmills and water access.

This park is 10 a night for non electric sites, 14 for electric sites. I met many people who had annual passes and so enjoyed the  free camping all winter long.

A bench along the well graveled circuitous path is shady in the afternoon, facing east, receives strong sunlight in the early morning.

View from on top Table Rock. It is very dry. Remember to bring plenty of water.

Views in Montana

A road walk near my past work location. Notice the gorgeous Bridger Mountains in the distance.

Fences abounded in this area. A person had to drive off location to ski.

I stayed in shape using a treadmill in the exercise room at the employee housing.

It was an excellent machine that allowed variable speeds and simulated hill climbing.

Nothing beats the real thing, however.

Stay tuned for hiking reports in New Mexico.

To Android or Not to Android....

That is the question!


Preparing for my section hike on the CDT and the road trip to Maine has me looking over the various cell phone options. Currently I have just a simple trac phone, the older version with the three letters per number key board. It means sending texts is pretty slow and the pay as you go version boils down to about 10 cents a minute.


Not a bad phone option for your basic contact needs.


However, these android options have me thinking about having Wi-Fi options, able to upload to my blogs while hiking, able to read my emails and post photos to Facebook.


Gone are the days when people just owned a landline and went to the library for their research needs.
The androids have cameras, gps and talk time. But, they come with "contracts" of sorts, or commitments.


Any ideas or reviews from the hiking public?

Great Resourse

The saying is you can never have too much info -trail data for hiking the Continental Divide Trail.


At some point, however, a person has to make decisions. Currently, there are three viable options for the southern terminus. The Crazy Cook monument is now considered the official, and choosing this route is about 60 miles longer to Silver City than the Columbus Route, a route many have taken in the past for various reasons. Keith, trail angel in Deming, and Carole and Hugo, trail angels in Grants have been very kind and supportive.
I have one month to hike, and have decided to begin in Palomas, Mexico, eat lunch (you need a passport to do this) and book it north where I'll get my car in Grants.


Continental-Divide-Trail/CDT-Maps-by-Jonathan-Ley


I haven't heard much about Antelope Wells on the Mexican Border. Perhaps that one will go by the wayside.


Even if the route is eventually marked and official, I think the logistics of this remote trail will always make to alternate routes on the CDT a given. The common saying is no one can hike this trail the same way.

The Perfect Job in Maine

A couple days ago my dream came true. I was offered, and eagerly accepted, the position in Maine of the Appalachian ridge runner for the Maine Appalachian Trail Club.


Starting in Mid May, I'll live and work on the AT and will be there until the end of September or early October. Stay tuned. This blog and my other one, http://thefemalesurvivalist.blogspot.com with be updated as often as possible. Unlike my current job in remote Montana, writing about my daily life and experiences will be allowed.


Many thanks to all my friends and family, supervisors and  readership who helped to inspire me along the way. The competition was stiff. The vetting was thorough. I'll do my utmost to make to make the MATC proud they chose me.


I know it's not the kind of job everyone might consider perfect. There will be storms, cold and wind, black flies and mosquitoes. I'll eat my own cooking, from an ultralight soda can stove, and sleep in a tent most of the time (except on my days off when I'll explore the coast and who knows, maybe hike alternate trails!)


Once an ultralighter, always an ultralighter.


 Before I head to Maine, I'll be hiking on the CDT, starting at the Mexican border, working my way to at least Pie town. Good news. There is now a shuttle to the remote Crazy Cook southern terminus:


Announcing CDT Southern Terminus Shuttle
Dear Interested Thru hikers, Section Hikers and CDT Supporters,

Attached is the information sheet on the CDT Southern Terminus Shuttle.  We will begin taking reservations on Thursday, February 27 at 9:00 a.m. MST.  We encourage you to select one preferred date and a second alternative date in the event that your first choice is already filled.  We will do our best to accommodate groups and will work with you to support making this happen.  We also wish to inform you that CDTC will be moving operations to Silver City, NM between April 6- May 9, 2013 in order to better support the shuttle service and the big push of thru hikers and section hikers.  

Please take a moment to review all of the information included in this info sheet prior to making your reservation.  

Teresa Ana Martinez 

DirectorContinental Divide Trail Coalition

Board Member, Partnership for the National Trails System

Continentaldividetrail.org

Cell: 540-449-4506 / Fax: 303-838-2949
Connecting people to the Trail, each other, and the land.

Update From Montana Boonies

Sorry for such a time lapse between postings. Bottom line, I live on a private ranch that has a secrecy policy that I have sworn to uphold. Not sure if saying that violates the secrecy, but that's the current situation.

Come April, I'll be on the trail and updating more hiking adventures. New Mexico's CDT is on the agenda. I have the maps and gear, looking forward to serious sunshine. 

Today I loaded up my camo fanny pack with bear spray, water bottles, camera, binoculars, wallet and drivers's license. I can't ski on location. Its fenced and off limits to employees. No problem. After a short whiteout wind squall, I hopped in the Geo and headed down 89 South towards Yellowstone Park. 

Right after mile marker 38, there's a turn off to Mill Creek. Head down that road 6 miles to get National Forest Land access....no fees.

I had been doubting there would be enough snow, but once I hit the back road, sure enough, higher elevations gave me enough pack to go for it. I had thought there would be a trail. Not so. I skied back a couple miles, but cabins and posted land bordered the road. I stayed on the snow packed road, loving the gorgeous scenery. It fed my soul.

Along the ditch I saw this sole remnant of a deer. The end has been chewed, probably coyote or wolf. Can't tell what the deer died of. I buried it in the snow and headed on. 

Mill Creek is a tributary of Yellowstone River. It is amazing. A few trucks and cars passed me while I skied. All  waved.

Self portrait heading back in the afternoon. I always wear a long fleece scarf because it has so many options for breaking wind on neck and face.

Happy Trails. May all your adventures feed your soul!

Once an Ultralighter, Always an Ultralighter

This ultralight sleeping pad was actually shipping material. I discovered it while working in the Pastry department, here at a private ranch in Montana.

Dimensions: 16 inches wide by 38 inches long. 1.5 inches thick of high quality foam. Weight obtained on our gram scale, used for weighting out flour, sugar, etc....

So, this scale is accurate or else the cookies would be a flop.

weight, 3.9 ounces, or 111 grams.

Gram weenies, eat your heart out.

Admittedly, this is a little narrow for some folks. I tested it during the initial assessment process and it is definitely doable. It holds its shape, doesn't compress much, and rolls up for easy packing.

Stay tuned for spring time reviews.

The outer coating is a high tech plastic.

Low Tec Hiking

I just want to know....is it possible to actually hike a long trail anymore without batteries?


I'm preparing to hike the New Mexico CDT so I joined the CDT-L (an online list for hikers who share information and ideas on this incredible trail reaching from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide).


Nearly every post lately is about waypoints and GPS . I understand the water concerns. Its real. I understand the safety of smart phones and being able to call for help. I plan on carrying binoculars to scope for water before hiking down to it.


But really, how did backpackers do it, say ten years ago, twenty years ago?
It seems the rule of thumb now days is battery operated devices.


I'd like to get off the grid and really experience the wilderness. I've asked myself, what is the purpose in this adventure? Exercise? Awareness? A little hardship?


Part of it is the actual journey which necessitates self exploration of will and determination. Life has a way of throwing curves. Maybe some non-battery time...off grid living....basic backpacking...can inspire deeper thought.

News and Views

Just enough snow cover to make things beautiful here in Montana, though the Interstate near Livingston was closed due to extremely high winds. I had the pedal to the medal, yet the Geo refused to push past 40 mph. No matter. On the way home I saw this gorgeous horse hanging out.

He seems to be pondering his New Year's resolutions, like me.....to hike, or to hike....I think I will definitely hike!

I needed some instant coffee. Ultralight tendencies still abound. This brand came in a clear plastic 8 ounce container, light and perfect for solar cooking in New Mexico's desert. Remove red labeling, wash, do not use boiling water. And, in case anyone out there is wondering, yes, I am aware of BPA poisoning.

Happy trails, January is the planning month...come April, reality will set in as I head south to Deming, N.Mexico and catch a ride to the border.

Stay tuned. I plan to have a smart phone and upload to this blog on a regular basis.

CDT-List

http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/cdt-l

This list is for serious hikers investigating the Continental Divide Trail. Its really useful in getting hard core information from those who have hiked it, those looking for partners, those needing help with logistics.

Early April I intend to be starting at the Mexican Border hiking north. Deming seems to be the end of the Greyhound line. From there, a person has three options for a southern terminus.

This trail is unlike any other in the tolerance for alternate routes. The goal is a Mexico -Canada hike, no missing steps (continuist) along the Divide.

Water and resupply are key issues, along with scarcity of human interaction.

I have 1000 miles to go. I'd say, wish me luck, but a long distance hike requires more than luck. Last year I hiked a section. It was great.