CDT 2024 - Day 27, Move from Cuba to Ghost Ranch

And scouting out where to meet if Trail Fire Closure.

Firefighting helicopter lifting off from Forest Service station Coyote, New Mexico.

Beau and I put Runningbird back on the trail and returned to the RV Park in town by way of the post office and then the gas station. I was a bit anxious to move on from Cuba, away from the highway noise, and the sense of enclosure in the RV Park. I did some cleaning up and buttoned up the rig. I saw Theresa on her porch and stopped to thank her for the hospitality and the tortillas and wish her well.

West on NM550 then north on 69. I checked out a possible rendezvous point to meet up with Runningbird on her way to Ghost Ranch and then stopped at the Forest Service in Coyote. Eric was very helpful but there still was not enough information coming in regarding the trail and any closure at this time. He did suggest a good hiker pickup point that was off the highway if we did need to get off the trail. Otherwise I would just need to keep checking the website. On my way out I stopped to watch the Firefighter helicopter take off from the grass clearing across the highway with the water bucket thingy for dousing the fire.

Along highway 96 on way to Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM

As I continued on the highway I enjoyed looking at the vast colors and shapes of the rock walls and cliffs which time had exposed. It was magnificent. It reminded me of the Calico Mine Train ride I used to go on at Knott's Berry Farm in California back in the early 60's. It was beautiful country and more resembled what I imagined New Mexico to look like. This area seems so remote to me with all the big ranches and mostly dry river beds. The Rio Puerco River flows here and proceeds on down and through Cuba and it seemed to have plenty of water.

On Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. Cabin used in filming of several movies.

Ghost Ranch is a Retreat and meeting Center about an hour out of Albuquerque and quite a large facility. It is also the inspirational home of the famous artist, Georgia O'Keefe. There are a couple of museums here, one of Palentoloy and one of Anthropology. There are a large number of guest houses, dormitories, hiking trails, horse riding stables, a gift shop, a large dining area, campground, a library, two pools, a number of meeting halls, and a climbing wall and obstacle course. It's a pretty big place that at first seems a bit out of place here yet has been nicely designed to fit into the landscape of this secluded canyon. The CDT comes right along here and hikers can find respite here with its showers and camping facilities.

I checked in at the Welcome Center and then moved further up into the canyon to the campground. I chose a site the backed up to a dry riverbed and hillside. After plugging in to power, Beau and I did a bit of exploring. From the hilltop near the campground we could see the smoke in the canyon where the fire was and the CDT passed through. It didn't look good. From Ghost Ranch we drove back around Lake Abiquiu to time the drive to Road 103 and the CDT mile mark where we could evacuate Runningbird if that was decided.

While there I received a call from Runningbird and we discussed the status of the fire and decided I would pick her up at Road 103 tomorrow morning. The Forest Service representative had spoken to several of the fire fighting team that had come in that evening and they suggested getting off the trail as the smoke was quite bad and the number of hot shot and FS vehicles moving in the area would make it dangerous walking the roadsides. Runningbird would be stopping for the evening a few miles from this spot leaving her a short hike in the morning to get here.

After returning to the campground, I went to the dining area for dinner. When I registered for the campground I was also required to purchase the "meal program" that included three meals a day so I figured I may as well partake. The meal was good and included a salad bar, vegan option, and dessert and beverages. At the campground there were two large groups there, one was the Geological Sciences from University of Texas and the other the Multi Media Group from University of New Mexico, Taos. I had met some of the kids at dinner and at the campsites they were enjoying their time in the outdoors yet respecting others space in the campground and quieted down before ten PM.