Hike With Dave

As I hiked the final few miles of the Sandria Mt. range nearing the completion of this journey, my thoughts went back to that first week in Arizona and the many obstacles and challenges I’ve faced over the past 7 weeks. I felt so blessed to have had this opportunity to see this part of the country and share the stories of travel with all those interested. I feel that this trail in particular thoroughly tested my mental and physical will power, and in doing so, has once again taught me what we are all capable of. The body is bound only to that of which the mind sets limits upon. If we can only first tear down the barrier that fear has erected, what we can achieve is endless. Furthermore, to do these things in connection with a “higher Source of our understanding”, the extent of our own liberation can inspire others to follow their own unique Divine Path. Having said that, I leave all those with this simple phrase:
“Don’t Ever Be Afraid to Live Life the Way It Is Received”.
Now for talk of Cougar and Bear tracks, Snow Storms, and Divine Appointments!!
I pushed out of Soccora walking a levee road along an irrigation channel and took an easy day where I stopped at a local park for what I made my own authentic Siesta, with a plate of tacos from a traveling food truck. I must say, these were better than most of the Mexican food I’ve eaten along this trail. I then pushed on bypassing a “Ford” of the Rio Grande River, and into a thicket of large Cottonwoods to avoid the extremely windy conditions for a good nights rest.
It would be well needed. The following day, the wind must have been 40-50 mph, and pretty much sustained throughout the day. Of course on these days, it’s lots of mileage across completely flat terrain. I must say that when the wind never stops, and there’s no where you can go to get a break, it really can drive you rather mad. I remember comparing the constant gusts to a Chinese water torture as well as yelling at it to stop with some colorful language. It was May 1st and the temperatures were pretty chilly all day as well. As I hiked North, I came closer and closer to a darkening sky. Then 1 snow flake drops, then another, within 20 minutes, it was an all out snow fall with blizzard like conditions. No accumulation, but snows blowing all around rather heavy for close to 2 hours. For the first time on this hike, I had to whip out the poncho. Luckily, it stopped just as I reached NM 127. From here I road walked for about a mile, then continued using a map, compass and a distant railroad as a navigation point across private land into a large drainage, which lead to a wind free night of camping and some good shut eye.
The next morning greeted me with calm air flow and a bit warmer temps. As I hiked into the massive “Sand Canyon” on my way into the amazing Manzano Mt. Range. As you enter from the trailhead parking area off of Forest Road 422, you can’t miss all the flyers stating this is Cougar and Bear Country. Number one on the Cougar Warning, “Don’t hike alone” check.
Number one on the Bear Warning, “Be sure to hang you food at night”, check.
In approaching this range, you can see the towering 10,000 ft. cliffs; still snow covered in sections and it can be rather intimidating knowing that’s where I’m going to be climbing to. To be honest though, you sort of look down and see the dirt and scratches on your legs, you smell the sweat on your clothes and body, and those things actually offer you some comfort in knowing what you’ve already accomplished, how far you’ve come, and remind you of the fact that these woods, you’ve called home for the past 6 weeks.
The climb was of really nice grade, 3,000ft. over 5 miles. On certain facing slopes, the large pines were actually flocked with snow and ice. They looked beautiful; however wind gusts were knocking the trees clean, so you had to be careful what you were hiking under. I had seen more snow here remaining on the high slopes than anywhere on the trail thus far. I camped along a ridge that night facing the sunset and can remember waking up in the morning and seeing a caterpillar completely frozen from the night temps. I picked him up and moved him onto a rock that the sun was beaming on through some trees. Within 10 minutes or so he was moving around again. Interesting to think what state they are in while frozen for that long a time.
Anyway, that day of hiking was filled with incredible views, loads of Turkey, Bear, and Fox and yes, even Cougar tracks.
Funny, because you could see when the bear would stop and rub up against trees.
I had planned on filling up with water at Oyo Spring, which is on my water guide chart, the author did mention how it is a very hard spring to find, he was right. I bushwhacked a bit in the proper location with no success. After a half hour of no luck, I had no choice, as day light was quickly dwindling and I was completely out of water, to fill my water bottles with simply snow. One thing I’ve learned about snow though, it just doesn’t melt nearly as fast as you’d think and eating snow will only get you so far before you mouth gets numb. Snow is also gassy and will make you burp, I reckon because of the high air content.
So, I spent the night with both my containers between my legs in my sleeping bag. I would wake up periodically thirsty and look with anticipation as to how much snow had melted and would make for an ice cold gulp or two. Bottom line, I made out just fine, thirsty, but fine. By the next morning almost all the snow had melted as I began my 7 miles trek to the next water source.
And now here is where a shift occurs, a shift in consciousness, a shift in the natural flow of things, and one can begin to see the guiding hand that opens us up to the idea that there is more to this all than just thirsty nights, setting up camp, sore feet and walking from Phoenix to Albq..
As I hiked on to the next water source in anticipation, the Crest Trail that I was following entered a vague area of overgrown Oak and Shrub. Due to an abundance of old stock trail and a lack of new trail markings, I found myself well West of where I needed to be.
I looked back in the North East direction I should have been on and it seemed like 2 miles of thick, prickers and bushes to reach the area I needed to be in. As I bushwhacked back, I followed what I thought to be the trail, considering there was flagging and discernable trail, but I find myself down in a steep gully, and the trail and flagging just stop?
Frustrated, thirsty, and thinking about how much time I’ve wasted, I began the very steep hike up and out the drainage wall, overgrown with small birch and loads of limbs that just want to whack you every chance they get. Exhausted, I finally make it up to the crest once again and back onto the correct trail. During this time though, I must admit to the frustration that goes on in your head. However, while remaining in that connection, I become reminded by the Divine that all things happen for a reason. Within this fit of frustration and exhaustion, I’m reminded, Relax, this is happening now to set up something later. At this moment, my thoughts are comforted with faith and I must now keep myself open to what life has to offer.
I push on and descend off the crest to a wonderfully clean and cold spring with a well needed break.
As I continue hiking, I “miss” the turn my route has me taking, and proceed to a trail head parking area where I see the opportunity to get rid of some of the trash I’d accumulated over the past 5 days or so. There in the parking lot is a truck with a park ranger in it. He sees me and comes out to talk. Patrick Luna is his name. He tells me I’m the first hiker he’s seen or talked to this season. I tell him, he’s the first person I’ve seen in a few days. Pat and I talked for maybe an hour and a half about everything under the Sun. The conversation started with Geology and fossils, lead to his heritage as a Native American and that connection to the land that is being lost, and ended with much testimony and how the Lord is dealing with the natural world. Mr. Luna carried a deep, inner peace that became almost tangible as he picked up butterflies at will. Much reflective personal truth was shared amongst two strangers. I cherished this opportunity and to think, what brought us together?
Now, the next 10 miles of trail had me hiking through various Indian reservations and private land grants. It clearly states on my map, proceed at your own risk, the GET does not endorse this following route. As Patrick put it, you’ll probably be fine, because of the remoteness of your path, but if for some reason someone does see you on their land, it’s going to end bad for me. Not that they’re bad people, but it’s just that so much has already been taken from them, they just can’t be willing to give anymore. Particularly the Chilili people, not the land you want to get discovered on. Not thinking I had any other choice I went back into woods although, not comfortable with the trek that was to come. Not out of fear, but out of respect for their land. I looked over the map again to see if there was something I was missing, another route, a bypass of some kind. Sure enough I could take FR 55 to the town of Tagique, then North on NM 337 to Tijeros, and back to the trail. So, that’s exactly what I decided to do. As I hiked back to the road and began the 7 miles east before I headed North, I came across two men, one on a Dirt Bike and another in an SUV talking. We get into conversation, one thing leads to another and Gerald, another great guy gives me a ride to Tagique before the general store closed at 8pm, and then the guy he was talking to, Nick, a Turkey hunter from Albq., gives me a ride the rest of the way, right back to the trail head, just 2 days hike from finishing. I must say they were both really a huge help, because from Tagique back to the trail was actually 30 miles, not the 12-13 I had estimated. We drove, on public roads, through the town of Chilili, and basically there were signs stating that we are a souvereign nation and we govern ourselves, keep out.
So, the conversation with Nick was great, another person of faith, and as he drops me off, in the parking lot we had a quick prayer session. Thank you Nick for the blessings and travel thoughts. I hope I had something to offer you as well, beyond just the bag of Doritos. Now dark, I hike just a short distance and set up camp, finally a warm night made for eating and relaxing outside of my tent.
There was much shared and learned with my meetings with these 3 gentlemen. These are people and situations I would never had experienced if I woke up that morning and hiked the accurate trail with no problems. Once again, I’ve become a part of the process of experiential learning and have come to understand, it is not about us and our plan, rather, “Thy Will Be Done”, and it’s about God’s plan. Therefore, why worry? One needs to just give (him/her) the steering wheel completely, rather than holding on tight with two hands, or even having some faith, but still sort of driving with one hand on the wheel.
The following day I got up feeling spiritually renewed. I began the final climb into the Sandria range which was once again very well graded. After 5-6 miles, I got my first view of Albq… That night I cowboy camped on a Westerly cliff’s edge and watched as the sun set upon this great city, with a crescent moon perched high above. And then, this morning I woke up and pushed the final 5.6 miles to the Sandria Arial Tram ride down the Mt. to the Eastern Terminus of the Grand Enchantment Trail. I was done. Now what?
Well, I sat down and ate a great meal, with 3 cokes, and decided to call someone I met on my 3rd day of hiking, Ron Vaughn, an avid hiker who, well, name a trail and he’s hiked it at least once, probably twice. An older gentleman who back in AZ said if you make it to the end, then give me a call, Ron lives in Albq. and knows how hikers can always use a ride somewhere. So, Ron joined me for lunch and sure enough gave me a lift to not the airport per say, but rather to the Budget Car Rental where I’ve decided to rent a car and travel for one more week.
My journey now finds me for the next week driving west to see the Grand Canyon, then heading north into Utah to visit Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Escalante Staircase, the Arches, Moab, and then East into Colorado through the Rocky Mt. National Park. My trip will find me right back here in Albq. for a return flight home for some time with friends and family to laugh and reconnect.
I feel blessed to have experienced the last 2 months. I’d like to thank everyone who has followed this trip once again, my parents for all their help with mailing boxes and encouraging support. All the people I’ve met, not just on this trip, but on the AT, PCT, and just in life, for the inspiration to “Live Life the Way its Received”. And most importantly, the Holy Spirit for Divine Guidance throughout this entire journey. And one last person, Mr. Brett Tucker, the creator of the Grand Enchantment Trail. Although there may have been times I’ve cursed him for making me hike through what? I must say I’m a better man for having hiked this hike.
In about 8-10 days I’ll have the remaining pictures up of the New Mexico section, as well as some time lapse photography I had taken early on. I think you’ll be interested to see this and I hope it comes out great. For those not familiar with time lapse photography, be sure to check it out.
Peace and Blessings
Love and Light

“Nothing says time to reflect like a sunset”

It’s been just a few days since I was in the town of Magdalena. I decided to stop off in the bustling town of Socorro and make the final 130 miles push to the end from here, instead of stopping in the town of Tijeros further up the trail.
The trail since Magdalena has been interesting if only some 40 miles. The first thing that needs commenting is the wind. This last stretch has been across open planes and cross-country hiking through washes, leaving you always very exposed to the elements. The winds seem to be 40-50 mph, however rather sustained throughout the day, meaning very little let up at all. It forces you to strategically pick where you camp at night in order to get into some tree cover if possible. I certainly learned my lesson the last time I pitched my tent out in the open, so having said that, the nights have been fine since.
I did see a large group of Antelope dashing across the open fields. Also, the trail this last section takes you through the San Lorenzo Canyon, in which lies what’s called a slot Canyon. This is a very thin “slot” in the rocks where you can walk inside and be surrounded by hundred foot cliffs as you look up around you, Beautiful.
Soon the trail walks you past the small village of Polvadera, in which I hiked south along a levee to the Rio Grande River. I made it to Rt. 408 where I started to hitch into the larger town of Socorro. About a mile or two after hitching, and very little traffic, I received a ride to town from a young guy, Rico, who was in the middle of his own life travels. At 21, Rico said he decided to pursue his time gaining life experience so he’s been hitchhiking and even joined a rode crew to help with a traveling circus. I thanked him for the ride, wished him the best, and now I’m in the town of Socorro ready to make the last stretch and finish up this hike to the city of Albq. NM.
It will be a joyful time for me when this is finished, surely because of the accomplishment and tough times that called for perseverance, but mostly because of the land I experienced and the connection that I’ll be able to carry with me along throughout the next phases of my life.
I’d like to thank everyone for his or her support once again. I’ve read all the comments and thank all of you for taking the time to follow this journey. I hope I was able to bring some perspective or really anything that may have caused some positive effect in someone else’s life.
I hope to finish up within 7-10 days, and then it’s decision time as to what is next in the cards. Until then, Peace Love and Light, (Kiros)

I am right here, right now, that’s all I can say. It’s been an interesting past few segments of trail. Sorry for the delay in posts but it has been a long internet-less set of hiking miles. I’ll do my best to summarize the events and stories from the past 2 weeks or so, as there are plenty.
Walked out of Safford and had no choice but to stop and get a Dairy Queen Blizzard, something I’ve been looking forward to and certainly can never get enough of. Speaking of which, the hiker hunger is in full effect, not sure how it works exactly, but I just never seem to get full. While in Alma, I ordered french toast, side of home fries, after which the waitress asked if I wanted the check and I asked for the menu again. After a grilled chicken sandwich and onion rings, I was done. Breakfast and Lunch, all at once, I suggest it; you should give it a try.
Soon after hiking out of Safford, I crossed the border from Arizona into the very different geological state of New Mexico. New Mexico is interesting, not as desert like as Arizona by any means, much more green, even so, there seems to be a lot of burn areas from past and present forest fires, more small ponderosa pines, hiking elevations are more consistently high, the wildlife offers more diversity, water is a little better, although NM had a very dry winter/spring, and one thing that’s undeniable, NM is Very Windy, which you’ll see I experienced first hand.
The first big mountain range you come to is the Mogollon Range, an enormous set of mountains whose elevations reach almost 11,000 ft. and can remain snowbound until early summer. The trek starts off just outside the small community of Alma, which is nothing more than a general store and small cafe. The area has an attraction however known as ”The Catwalk”, a steep cliffed canyon whose small ledge would be walked back and forth by miners while this was an active mining site. Pretty neat to walk the canyons amongst the boulders and see the history first hand.
You then begin the climb and are offered a bypass from the main peak to avoid snow cover this early in the season. I decided to indeed take the bypass, which added 12 miles to the overall route, but after much thought, here I decided to lean on the side of precaution, in hindsight, a good decision. Having said that, the bypass still stayed above 9,000 feet for over 6 miles and some snow was encountered. I remember waking up that morning, before heading up in elevation thinking, the temperatures seem to have dropped and an overcast was created by the sheer size of the Mogollon range (many times when Mts. are of large enough scale, they sort of create their own weather, when the winds hit the Mt. they can’t pass through obviously so they rise, in turn mixing with colder air, in the process creating their own clouds, and eventually precipitation. Mt. Katahdin in Maine is a perfect example of this, no matter what the weather is, there’s usually always a cloud over Katahdin.
By any means, I began the climb and was above 9,000 feet walking close to the vehicle forest service road. As the early evening set in, various clouds passing by were dropping small pebble size droplets of frozen rain. Not too bad though, just off and on, the temps were in the 40s by this time I’d say, with winds starting to pick up. As the hours and miles past, the time was approaching to start to think about setting up camp. Within the next hour, the winds and the freezing rain were steady, and as dark was setting in, I found a turn-off amongst some huge pines that I thought would offer some resistance from the bad weather. Things change quickly in the mountains. By the time I got my tent up and everything settled, the weather was an all out ice storm, with temps plummeting. Once in my tent, listening to the piddle paddle of hail droplets, the winds picked up so much I felt the need to add extra strength so my small light weight tarp tent would stand a chance throughout the night. I got out of my sleeping bag, ran out and put the heaviest rocks I could find down on the lines that my tent is staked down to. Within 60 seconds, I was soooo cold, I had to run back into my tent, get in the bag, and shiver uncontrollably before I could warm back up to functioning. To make an already long story short, the tent lasted the night; I woke up to a layer of lite powder on the ground, which did soon melt. And to think, last week I was sweating and thirsty in the deserts of AZ, go figure?
I would soon hike into the really, really small community of Gila, Hot Springs. Hot Springs did have a very interesting, very well preserved, Indian Cliff Dwelling. A nice tour indeed and informational session on the areas I was hiking through. I did get a chance to go in a hot spring as I was leaving the trail and getting back into the woods. It sure is hot though, 130 degrees, here, the spring flows into and mixes with the normal creek water where a pool is blocked off with rocks and makes for a comfortable mix of water.
I have seen really no hikers at all out here, but as of late I have been seeing Turkey hunters. One guy with his son, when hearing what I’m doing, gave me two home made burritos. Thanks again, they were great, and not too hot for me like you thought they might be. None of the hunters I’ve seen have gotten a Turkey yet, but I tell you what, I see flocks of them everywhere. I try and help them out with scouting advice, but I think to myself, it must be tough hunting them from a loud ATV or from just sitting still in one spot, you got to go hunt for them.
Speaking of wildlife, let’s talk wildlife, I’ve seen a lot while here in NM, some things I look at and they just perplex me, what are you? I’ve seen plenty of Turkeys as stated. I’ve seen Prong Horned Antelope running in small packs in the open fields. I keep looking for the Cheetah chasing them, but no Cheetahs. Elk are massive, I’ve seen a few, but two just the other night as dark was setting in, were just enormous. All the wildlife here must be hunted pretty hard though because they all take off immediately. High in the mountains they have these little guys that look like squirrels, but are black with puffy white tails and pretty pointy ears, more marsupial like. As I was walking out of Monticello Box, a beautiful canyon with a perennial creek running through it, I see a cat walking in the high grass along a creek. I get out my camera to take a picture, as he hadn’t seen me yet. As I get a bit closer, still undetected, I have the camera and a great shot, but after getting a good look at his face, I say, Oh, that’s just a house cat from the ranch I just passed.” Well, I should have snapped it, because after he saw me, he turned and leaped clear across the 8-10 ft. creek. After seeing him turn, with his bushy tail and making that leap, I don’t know exactly what he was, but a house cat he was not. Soon after seeing him, I encountered a group of about 5 large, I think they are similar to Wart Hogs, kind of like wild pigs, they have a name for them here, can’t remember exactly what they call them. Mule deer are rather prevalent in small herds as well. But the really cool thing I saw, but unfortunately didn’t get a good look at him, was I think a wolf, can’t be sure though, certainly some member of the K-9 family though. I was hiking out of a wash from the Apache Kid Forest where there happened to be some cows approaching the boundary of Forest Land. In front of me, from right to left ran a dog like animal, too far in front of me to get a good look, it could have been a coyote, but it seemed a bit larger, possibly the size of a German Shepard or so. I hurried up quickly ahead to look up the embankment where he headed but couldn’t see anything. Whatever it was, it was very quiet and fast indeed. Otherwise, many types of birds are all over, singing the wildest of melodies. I saw a spider the size of my hand. That’s all I can think of right now, but who knows what’s to come.
A quick anecdote concerning animals. Many times, cows occupy some of the narrower canyons, and so when hiking through small trail corridors, you approach a group of cows and they usually always run in the other direction, perhaps scared my hiking poles are going to brand them? So, when it’s narrow and nowhere to run, they just walk fast straight ahead in the same directions I’m headed. Well, this must have gone on two different times for close to 2 hours each time. They just walk in front of you, occasionally the one in the back turns to see if you’re still following them. Luckily they don’t walk very slowly so it’s ok, plus the ever so often “mooo” offers the most company I’ve had in weeks.
I have met a few cattle ranchers however as I’ve walked through forest roads which cut through their land. They are all nice but none have ever heard of the trail I’m hiking and think its pretty nuts. I met the farmer with the coolest Southwest name I’ve ever heard, Cecil Mudsey, great guy who gave me a ride off his land and pointed me in the right direction. I can remember asking Cecil about the weather for the next few days, he laughed at the idea of rain, but did say from here on for awhile it’s just going to be windy.
Which brings me to the New Mexico winds? I hiked out of Monticello Box, a beautiful day of fording a creek amongst high canyon walls. As the sun set I decided to push on into the night and make it to a camping opportunity my map had listed just 3-4 miles further. The climb out of the Canyon was pleasant, but as the elevations increased and the land became more exposed, the winds began to increase and seemed to sustain at a pretty constant high speed. I remember hiking along a high road and looking to my right to see the outline of the mt. side as a full, big, bright, glowing, orange moon rose up, just as the sun rises in the morning, an unforgettable moment indeed. I continued on into the darkness and reached the spot my map had listed as camping opportunities, no campsite, and just flat land. I was in completely open land, on a perch, in high, high winds. I originally had the idea of cowboy camping, or camping just in your sleeping bag, and not pitching your tent due to the winds. So that’s what I did, and just set up my stuff without my tent up, something I had done the previous two nights with no issues. However the winds soon died down for about 15-20 minutes, so I thought maybe that was it for the night, as winds usually die down just after dark sets in. I proceeded to erect my tent and soon fell asleep. I don’t think it was long before I woke up to the pounding of my tent walls as they blew back and forth in the winds. It wasn’t just the loud noise that kept me awake but periodically the tent shook so bad I had to hold onto the main pole to keep in it in place. I woke up again and again throughout the night until the winds did actually blow down my tent so it was resting on top on me, unpitched, still blowing furiously in the wind. I waited for a break in the forces of nature and went outside and re-erected it. Well, about an hour or so later, once again I woke up and sure enough, it eventually blows over again. This time, having it be just an hour or so to sunrise, I decided to just leave it down and let it flop around on top of me until I would rise and start my day. Needless to say, I slept hardly at all that night and got up early to start the day. My pole actually ripped a hole in my tent, luckily on an outside portion, so rain still wouldn’t be able to get in.
One other thing to note is upon leaving Hot Springs, I was going to be attempting a stretch of 175 miles between town stops, the longest stretch I would have attempted up until now. The weight of food on my back as I left Hot Springs was unreal; I had to hang a bunch of equipment from the outside of my pack to make room for everything to fit. I left Hot Springs with apprx. 10 days of food, thinking I could avg. 17.5 miles a day. Well, I did make it to Magdalena, in 9 days, but upon doing that stretch an obstacle has arose. The final day I decided to hike into town via NM 107, along with some cross country hiking. The final push made a small issue a big issue. About 3 days prior I had a few sore spots on the bottom of my feet. I believe from constant river fording as well as the larger miles I’ve been doing to get this section complete in addition to the rocky terrain. By the time I reached Magdalena, the bottom of my feet were on fire! I have 2 main blisters but the problem is, underneath all 10 off my toes/crease with feet, it’s so raw and worn away, it has turned into vertical cuts that hurt with every step I take. After any breaks I would take while hiking, it would be 15-20 minutes of walking gingerly/limping until it would get numb enough I can walk somewhat normal again.
I’ve decided to stay here until Monday morning, relaxing on Saturday and Easter Sunday, and see how the healing process goes. With only 170 more trail miles to go, I’ve come too far to end this journey before Albuquerque. I’m contemplating taking the time I need until they are good enough to finish out the hike. Perhaps a few days just relaxing in the woods if they don’t improve. For the walk to the town library, from which I’m currently typing this post, I’ve folded over napkins and inserted them into the bottom of my crocs and it seems to be helping.
So, there’s the update. Other highlights included seeing smoke from a distant active forest fire while on a mt. peak and rolling into a lookout tower at night, thirsty, and next water 11 miles away sometime tomorrow and finding a gallon of water left out for hikers. I can’t explain the joy in getting water unexpectedly during a dry stretch. My water pump broke about a month ago, hasn’t been too big a set back, I’m able to get it to work by holding the connection valve tight, it’s just very slow and takes about 15 minutes to filter 2 Liters. There are some very pure sources here in NM which helps for sure though too.
I have paper. 170 miles left! 140 miles to the town of Tijeras, where I will resupply with food, hopefully do a blog post and push out for the final 30 mile stretch of trail, which ends in an Aerial Tram ride for only $9. There’s apparently a gondola type ride you can take down from 10,000 ft. elevation to where the GET ends, just outside of Albuquerque. I’m hoping the feet issue is short lived, otherwise my body is holding up ok, except for some extremely dry skin in certain areas.
I thank you all for your comments and am appreciative that people are interested in following along this journey.
Peace and Blessings from Magdalena, NM, Have a great Easter everyone!
“You haven’t been thirsty until you’ve been thirsty in the desert”
Kiros

The best way to view my photo’s;

1) Go to Blogroll “Dave’s Photos G.E.T” located on the Right side of the page

2) Once your in click on “sets”.

3) Then click “Grand Enchantment Trail”

4) Click on Slideshow

5) Enjoy

6)) Thanks for all your support

Ah Yes, back into a town once again from out of the wilderness. I must say that Mammouth turned out to be a very nice stay in the small town. Before I left, I got a Pollo Tarta, authentic Mexican sandwich, D-Lish. I also snagged 2 free oranges off the back of a guys truck, I kept offering to pay, but when he heard I was hiking to Alb., NM, he laughed and said just take whatever you want. Mammouth was a nice stop, also thanks to Jim, a fellow N.J.ite that dropped me back off at the trail.
So I started the 1st day of this next segment, 110 mile stretch to get me to the next town I’m currently in, Safford, by hiking out of an old river drainage to a 4 wheel drive road thus to the trailhead of Aravaipa Canyon, a place I’ve been looking forward to visiting since the start of this trip. I spoke with the park ranger and he told me about all the wildlife, although he mentioned you probably wouldn’t see much of it, and how the Canyon was flooded in 2006, basic park ranger stuff. The following day, upon entering the 12-mile long Canyon, I had no idea what I was in for. Basically you hike up the moderately moving Aravaipa Creek for 12 straight miles, that means walking through a river all day, with the occasional shore walking. With Canyon walls jutting up a thousand feet or so on both sides of you, and numerous species of trout in abundance at your feet, birds singing all day, needless to say it was the highlight thus far of this trip. I tried to really take my time and spent 2 days in the Canyon. On the way out I visited a 700-year-old Salado Indian Cliff Dwelling, very unique. But, the best was yet to come, as I was leaving the Canyon, just 3 miles or so, on my right is a huge cliff, probably 2000 ft. higher than where I was standing, I hear a bang, think nothing of it, and then another, I turn around and look way up the Mt. only to see what the park ranger said I would not get the chance to see, 4 Long Horned Mt. Goats. I was pretty shocked to see them in real life, this was surely one of those times I thought I was watching the Discovery Channel.
The few people I saw in the Canyon would be the last I saw for days.
I left the flourishing; water abundant Canyon to hike right back into the hot, dry desert, but not for long. To give you an idea visually of what the lay of the land looks like, imagine a completely flat expanse with enormous Mt. ranges scattered throughout the lands. The Mt. ranges are so big that the environment, geology, and weather change from range to range. I say this because the next portion of this segment was hiking straight up, gaining some 6000 ft. in elevation, to the massive Pina Mts., where the Mts. topped out at 10,000 ft. I felt like I just left the desert of AZ and hiked right into the Mts. of Vermont. I was now hiking under large Ponderosa Pines, maneuvering in and out of snow, still very prevalent, and had Ash Creek running very strong and cold. I spent the night at West Peak, 8,670 ft. Let’s just say it got so cold that I had to wear all the clothes I had, which meant I had to use my food bag as a pillow, no bears!
The next day is a good example of just how and why some of these miles go so slow. The guide pages I’m using stated I had a 6-7 mile hike to the next water source, no problem. Then you start hiking, and reading, and you see that there’s a 1 mile cross country route where no trail exist, no problem, it’s only 1 mile. Basically, you get to a point, the trail ends, and you see that Mt. to the East, the one with the peak, then a broad saddle with two other smaller peaks, well it’s your job now to get to the smaller of the two peaks. Sounds easy, well when that peak is over a thousand feet in elevation gain and between point A and B is about a million pricker bushes and all types of obstacles to impede your progress, let’s just say you don’t make the best time. An adventure for sure though, and I must say, after that, the water you finally drink taste so good.
So those are the major hiking highlights, I rolled into town earlier today with absolutely nothing left in my food bag besides a small amount of protein powder. I start the rationing the final 3 days before I push into town usually.
I’m really starting to enjoy this trip though. I must say that Aravaipa Canyon was a hiking highlight of mine, next to the White Mts. of New Hampshire and a few others. I loved the fact that the environment changed so drastically in the Pina Mts. There’s something about the big trees and running water that makes me feel at home. I’m trying to enjoy the time I have in each section as much as I can, still keeping the mileage up, but not making it the center of my focus. I can’t wait to see what the next section has to offer. I know some tougher times still await, and the next few stretches will entail a lot of miles with less town stops, and the towns will be more like small communities. It took roughly 2 weeks for me to feel like a Thru-Hiker again that is I no longer feel like a visitor of the wilderness, but rather an inhabitant. My body has become adjusted and my mind is sharpening.
I’d like to thank all those who have followed and commented. While in Safford, I will be sending some of my camera equipment home in exchange for my much lighter point and shoot camera. I took a bunch of Time Lapse Photography, which I will be putting together upon my return home. In the meantime, maybe my father will be able to post some of the pictures I’ve taken up until now. I’m not sure when the next chance at gaining internet access will be but hopefully 1 week, maybe 2? Love and Light, < Kiros >

(Excerpt from Thru-Hiker Poem)
“Sitting amongst Ponderosa Pine Cliffs, slumped in a posture like it’s halftime of a physical game, I look down and my hands are weathered, got spit and scrapes on my left knuckle and I don’t care to wipe it clean, my clothes look like they’ve used the dirt as a blanket, and there’s a town in the distance filled with folk and they all have something to sell, keep the stay to a day, leave their smiles in the rearview, I haven’t heard a highway for weeks, leaving town the piano on your back always feels the heaviest, re-adjust the straps and duck under the weight”

Well, I must say that what I thought was going to be a hike has proven to be an Adventure! There’s no other way to put it. I just completed my 1st week of hiking, 7 days, 112 miles and I find myself in the small mining town of Mammouth on a laptop generously offered up by a guy named Jim, small world, Jim is from the Pine Barrens, NJ, a nice man indeed.
So the first few days were very challenging for sure. Adjusting to the desert temperatures, route navigation and the lack of water, or good water for that matter have caused me to really pay close attention to every step I take. This is not the AT, this is not the PCT, this trail, or route technically, does not leave much room for error.
The days have become built around where the next water source is. Although I think the water will start becoming more abundant as I head West, the section I just completed was very dry and I just finished a 25-mile waterless stretch. Some of the water sources are great, like the rare flowing creeks or even rarer wells that spew clean water in middle of the desert. Other sources however have been abundant algae drainage trickles and even worse, remaining pools of stagnant water between cliff dwellings. The best last minute choice I made was to bring my water filter instead of just using chemicals to treat the water, I’ve been forced to drink some questionable water, but am happy to say haven’t felt sick at all.
Finding the trail at times is difficult, following “cairns” or small stacks of rocks, to find the correct direction of navigation has accounted for much of the travel. There have been two occasions thus far in which I lost the trail for some time, both I must say were dumb mistakes on my part.
One misdirection worked out great. I thought I was heading into Kelvin to water up but headed the wrong direction via a set of railroad tracks, just as I was about to cross a dirt road intersecting with a ranch, a truck pulls up and asks, “Can I help you son?” I explained I was looking to head to Kelvin to water up, Well he explained, Kelvin is the other direction, needless to say, I watered up at his house, and he even gave me a coke! and a ride back to the trail, thanks Greg, a great misdirection indeed.
The desert is unforgiving; everything has a spike, spine or prick on the end of it and is just waiting to draw your blood. After the areas of overgrown trail, my legs and arms were cut up all over. As soon as the sun rises, it gets hot. Temps have been in the 80s with a quick cool spell just the other day. Nighttime however, it sure does drop. I’ve been sleeping cold most of the nights in my 40-degree bag and it’s causing me to rethink and get my 15-degree bag sent to me from home. Especially on Mt. ridges which I love to frequent for their amazing sunsets and rises. The heat gets to everything though, the only time your water is cold is first thing in the morning, and otherwise it’s like drinking hot tea… minus the tea.
My toughest night was just two nights ago when the temperatures were rather chilly and the rain lasted all night. The shelter I’m using is called a tarp tent, it’s very lite and made for dry climates like this, however it is not built well for the rain and wind. By the time morning came, after all night of low temps and the only rain in quite some time, the walls of my tent were sagging in all around me with condensation dripping down every time I touched a side. I was blessed though that the tent held up throughout the night and didn’t collapse all together. Needless to say I spent the first 2 hours of the next morning drying everything out before I could start my day.
The only people I’ve seen are day hikers close to parking lots and trailheads. Otherwise, there were 2 thru hikers hiking the Arizona Trail, and that’s it. I’d say this region of trail is beyond desolate.
I’ve seen only 2 rattle snakes thus far and no scorpions, however I’ve been told that the area I’m heading to has all sorts of “primitive and rare” species of predators, I wouldn’t go into them now for my parents sake. Other things I’ve seen out here though are, Gila Monsters-10 inch yellow and black lizards, very slow moving and docile, jack rabbits with HUGE ears and long legs, a thorny brown toad, lot’s of various species of birds, including road runners (I heard one go “beep-beep”)

As for town, I hit route 77 and started hitching East with an eager hop to get some food, as all that was left in my food bag was 1 tortilla and a little bit of peanut butter, and a beat up brown truck slows down, “Mammouth” he says, “Si, gracias me amigo” I said, hop in and he cranks the Mexican Music, we didn’t speak again except for many gracias from me, he dropped me right off at the post office where I picked up my food package for the next segment of trip. Walked to Foster’s Lodge where I’m spending the night, had a great girl here do my laundry for $5 and got a big sub from the bodega around the corner and a HUGE Gatorade. And O Yes, Chap Stick, my lips were on fire.

I must honestly say though, I really am enjoying the challenge that this trail offers. Each day, you never know what you’re going to experience. The geography is incredible. Everything is so open, spread out and the mountains are just huge, it often feels like I’m walking through a painting. The sunsets and rising are pure, the sky is crisp blue and the air is clean. The solitude is great and I love this experience in town of interacting with people once again. I think the remainder of this trip is only going to get tougher and I’m keeping a positive mindset and focus to finish what I started.
Thank you all so much for all your comments, they’ve brought a smile to my face and helped to rejuvenate my spirit along this quest. I will hopefully be visiting my next town of Safford in about 1 week. I should have some good stories, as this next segment I’ll be visiting what’s known as the Little Grand Canyon, and some real pristine wilderness. Peace, Love and Light,
“Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and Universe”

Greetings and Blessings once again to everyone. First off, I’d like to thank all those who followed my travels along the Appalachian Trail, it was truly a great experience and the support was overwhelming. On this new webpage you will find a link to all my journal postings and pictures from the AT listed under the tab blogroll. I’d like to invite all those once again as well as new comers to follow the next full thru-hike I will be attempting starting March 16th. I will be setting out to complete the Grand Enchantment Trail, a 730 mile route from just outside of Phoenix AZ, to Albuquerque NM.
This trail is much different from the Appalachian Trail on the east coast for many reasons. First and foremost, the AT is one of the most popular trails in not just the US, but in the World, where now over 10,000 people have reportedly completed an entire thru-hike where as the Grand Enchantment Trail, or GET, being a very new trail (2005) has only had 11 people recorded as finishing the trail in its entirety. The climate will be much different, the wildlife, the solitude, navigation, etc.. This trail will surely offer many more challenges to look forward to.
As with the AT, I will do my best when in towns to get to a computer and update the website with all the trail stories and experiences. The entire trail should take approximately 6 weeks to complete. Up to now, once again the support from friends and family has been great. I’d just like to ask one thing, at this point with less then 10 days until departure, the focus needs to shift from what could go wrong to what IS going to go right. I appreciate the precautions and concern, but the route has been picked, the gear almost packed, the food boxes ready for mailing and therefor the thoughts, prayers and vibrations need to shift to all positive from here on in.
I thank all those who would like to follow with me along the journey, I appreciate and welcome all your comments. I’d also like to thank all my friends and family and a special thanks once again to Jim Dunn for putting this beautiful website together so a community can be built. Peace Love and Light, Dave   <Kiros>