Lucy Ondo

May 13 to May 14

Mile 792

Sunday morning I hiked up from highway 64 where Ghost and I left the trail. The morning jeep trail soon turned into trail staying between 10,000′ to 11,000′ for two days.

Water was plentiful throughout the day.

Looking forward to Colorado I hiked quickly.

On the second day, hiking along ridgelines the view ahead was breathtaking.

The chilling wind whipped at 60 MPH making it difficult to move forward. I was happy to arrive at the border between New Mexico and Colorado.

The last 10 miles was daunting with downed trees and snow obscuring the trail. The trail, when located, was muddy and slippery and covered in elk dung.

Postholing through the snow up to my thighs was dangerous because I was uncertain if a downed tree with broken limbs might be hidden underneath.

Two smart water bottles fell from my pack without my notice.

I did not see any other hikers these two days.

At Cumbres Pass I hitched back to Chama.

I am too early to be hiking in Colorado and am ahead of schedule giving me the opportunity to take a week or so off trail. I could flip up to Montana or Wyoming as hikers normally would in any given year; however, these two states have had 190% of normal snow coverage this past winter and a late spring thaw.

New Mexico done. Looking forward to Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.