CDT 2024 - Day 11, Moving Day

Silver City and moving up towards the Gila Cave Dwellings

Looking out over the Gila National Forest, NM.

Did you know some folks do the PCT and the CDT from North to South? For the most part things are set up from South to North. Maybe it's easier from North to South considering gravity going down and all. I don't know. Lots of logistical considerations like amount of snowfall during the last winter and accumulation in the mountain area traverses. Then there is the snow melt off in spring and river flow into the summer for crossing rivers. Also to consider is the time you are actually able to start considering personal life like a teaching job. Mind boggling.

This morning is starting like almost all of the others have down here, sunny. The wind is supposed to pick up this afternoon and there is a high wind advisory for the next three days. That means high fire danger and perhaps a chill factor for when you get out of the water from each river crossing. I know its warm during the day but maybe not so much at the higher elevations where the trail is. Here in town the elevation is about 6,000 feet. Do you remember the amount of temperature drop for every thousand feet of elevation? I don't. Today Beau and I pack up and leave the KOA here in Silver City. It had been a nice campground in every way except for the barking dogs, all night long, from the neighboring properties. From here we go north on a small very curvy mountain road toward the Gila Hot Springs and the famous to CDT hikers "Doc Campbells Post" store. We'll let you know what all that is about later.

This guy obviously didn't make the curve. Highway 15 to Gila Hot Springs, NM.

After leaving the KOA we did a quick stop at the Walmart Subway and the headed out of town on highway 15. Speed limit sign says 25 MPH. Hmm. The road quickly went to a narrow two lanes and the center line went away. The road got curvy and then more curve with a lot of hairpin turns. It was beautiful but a lot of sharp turns. As one guy who was at the RV Park at the top with his motorhome said, "it was so curvy you could often read your own rear license plate". He had come up a different highway that merged onto highway 15 about half way up but he knew what I was talking about. The view at the top before dropping into the Gila River Valley was spectacular. The photos don't do it justice. The road signs suggested using "Low Gear" on the last several miles and I did so.

Gila National Forest looking to the north.

The Gila Hot Springs RV Park is nice and does the job. It is one long, wide gravelled road with hookups and picnic tables spaced out along each side. On each side of the road are large shade trees and open, lush grass land. After picking a spot and getting set up I went to fill Beau's water bowl from the faucet and nearly burnt my hand. There were two faucets; one with hot spring water and the other with cold well water. That's a first for me. While setting up the trailer I spoke briefly with the gentleman and his wife across from me and they were from Truckee, CA. Turns out the wife knows a woman I worked with at Crowley, Laura Sexton, who more recently worked with her at the City Office in Truckee, CA. Small world. Beau and I walked across the street to Doc Campbell's but I didn't go inside as dogs were not allowed. I spoke to several hikers outside including Bear who said the river crossings were not too bad. Waist level at best but running a bit hard in some places. He said still best to not cross alone.

Gila Hot Springs RV Park, NM

CDT famous Doc Campbell's Post, Gila Hot Springs, NM

I was expecting Runningbird in about 8:00 PM but really wasn't sure as she had a couple more water crossings to go and I didn't know how much elevation gain, It was now getting near dinner time so I was going to have my 6" Subway. And then it happened. The dreaded "MESSAGE" message from Runningbird's Spot. This meant that I was to meet her at the next possible location. She was about three miles downstream (and trail) from where I was already supposed to meet her with those two river crossings. I zoomed in on three different map tools I had. Finally I spotted a small cut-off trail going off from the river and straight up hill to the highway that was about a mile long. The problem was that I had not gotten another track spot from her since getting "the MESSAGE". And once I left the RV Park there would be no WiFi or cell service and I wouldn't know if she continued upstream or took that small trail. So, I waited. The cut-off trail was about an 8-minute drive from me. I figured I could go the mile down the trail and if I didn't see her I could go back up to the RV park for WiFi and check again. So, I got another ping from a new spot but still wasn't sure where she was going. This at least helped me feel a bit better to see that she was at least moving. I took a chance and went for it. I headed for the Alum Camp Trailhead at road 15.

Because of a huge, slow moving, Off-grid-all terrain-survivalist truck type vehicle going slowly up the hill it took me about 4 minutes longer to get there than I had planned for. I jumped out of the truck with my Hoka super mountain trail running shoes on (only I can't really run, but whatever) and look over at the trail and there was Runningbird. She was so happy to see me, perhaps shedding a tear or two, or maybe not, looking totally exhausted and wet. She had missed a step on her last river crossing and the current took her down. In the process she had lost her cell phone to the river and that took away her ability to navigate. (You can read Runningbird's short rendition in tomorrow's blog). When she was finally able to get out of the river she was standing in front of a small sign "Road I-15 1-mile". So that's the way she went, and that's where I was, and that's where she was.

We got her pack off still dripping with water and put it in the back of the truck and we went back to the RV Park. She was shivering badly and she got her wet clothes off and I made her some hot tea and offered her the Subway sandwich. No, she wanted something hot. So she got comfort food. Macaroni and cheese. There was a line for the showers as there were other hikers in the park but once the line was gone she got her shower. After a short nap, more food, more tea, she got into the hot jacuzzi. We had agreed that we would figure things out tomorrow but it would all be okay. For now, sleep.