Lucy Ondo

Mile 220 to mile 423

April 17 to April 22

After a tour of the Gila cliff dwellings we hiked the Little Bear Canyon into the Middle Fork of the Gila River.

The walk in Little Bear Canyon:

Middle Fork of Gila River:

We struggled with this section. It was very cold in the night and early mornings. The shrubbery torn at my ankles and the water contained some type of shards of rock causing raw red skin on our legs.

Soaking my feet in Jordan Hot Springs.

My tent.

In the morning we were passed by Running Moose from France, Hurricane from New Zealand, Peppermint skunk from Germany, and de Bear from Massachusetts. Peppermint skunk received his trail name by leaving his tent zipper open when he got out at night allowing a skunk into his tent. He and his gear took the brunt of the encounter. He mistook the skunk for a large chicken.

Snow Lake, the end of the Gila!

Hiking up off pond where we filtered water for next 23 miles. Photo by Ghost.

The long road walk after the Gila.

In early morning four elk crossed road in front of us.

Guess there is big problem with many incidences of wolves killing cattle in this area.

A cowboy trying to catch stray cattle along the road walk.

We caught a ride for portion of road walk with two wild turkey hunters.

Arriving at the toaster house in Pie Town. Trail angel, Nita, provides this house for CDT hikers and bikers.

Washed our clothes, picked up our resupply, ate lunch at the Pie Town Cafe.

Nita stopped in to check on house (she does not live here) and gave us a tour of greater Pie Town.

We were all set to hike out instead of staying overnight at the toaster house when we were invited to a BBQ dinner by a neighbor veteran, Jeremy, and his wife. It was too inviting an offer to pass up.

The group of CDT hikers staying at Toaster House 4/22:

Left to right

Popcorn, Dodgy ( formerly Bean), me, Pete, and Ghost in front.