This next stretch of trail consisted of a whole heck of a lot of road walking. Most folks were choosing to take the alternative route called the Cibola Alternate to get to Grants. Part of this was because the water sources on the official CDT were sketchy and very far apart with such descriptions as “water tastes metallic with a slight urine aftertaste”. Ummm… no thank you. As the Cibola route involved a lot of walking on paved highway, I mixed it up by starting with the Cibola, taking the Narrow Rim Canyon Trail, then back onto the Cibola, crossing the El Malpais, then taking the Bonita-Zuni Alternate into Grants (phew). Still lots of road walking but at least mostly on low traffic dirt forest roads at the cost of a bunch of extra miles. After watching both Smooth and Breakcheck almost get hit (within 2 feet) by some reckless out of lane idiot), I was glad to get away from the traffic.

A truck stopped to chat and gave me a delicious apple. The world is full of kind and generous folks 🙂

Great feed at the TLC Ranch Larry and Charity and their family invite hikers into their home. Such amazing,thoughtful and generous people. This was the most thru hikers they ever hosted at over 20.

Typical fancy ranch sign out of metal.

The toad walk seemed to stretch to the horizon.

This Pueblo House was originally constructed several hundred years ago by the native Americans then was augmented by settlers about 100 years ago.

Stephen was day hiking and gave me a banana. Every day someone gives me Trail magic. It’s incredible how nice folks are.

Eating delicious before mentioned banana

While looking for a place to camp, Southbound and a few other thru hikers accidentally scared up a herd of elk which crossed in front of me.

Morning hike with Breakcheck and Sniffles on the Narrow Rim Canyon Trail

Fresh Mountain Lion tracks. I had been seriously thinking of night hiking this section, phew!

Crossing the El Malpais (The Badlands)

I couldn’t convince anyone to cross the El Malpais (The Badlands) with me. It seems they knew better as you were walking over rough lava rock for 8 miles. It was very rough going especially solo and was constantly having to backtrack as it was very easy to get lost. Many of the cairns had been put up by the ancient Puebloan people hundreds of years ago and the path was not even close to following a straight line. It took 3 1/2 hours to get through along with some help from my ibuprofen bottle. I found out later that most people took even longer. It was beautiful and frustrating at the same time. I was glad that I did it but also glad it was over.

Cactus are beautiful until you get spiked in the toe. Don’t ask…

First working windmill pumping delicious clean water 🙂

The final road walk into town through Dead Cow Canyon

On empty water tank on road walk

Finally made it to the outskirts of Grants NM, yay!!!!!

Grants NM is really spread out and I was not looking forward to the 2-3 miles off trail walk to get to my hotel. Fortunately, Coyote and his dad saw me and had rented a car. More trail magic!!!! They drove me right to my hotel (Super 8 next to the Walmart). Thru hiking has been a reaffirmation for me of how kind and generous people are across this country.

AYCE (All You Can Eat) – They must dread thru hikers

Plate number 5: I have to admit, this was too much even for me. I had to lie down afterwards.

So I decided to take a zero in Grants to give the tendinitis in my ankle a chance to heal up a little. Off to get some more ice. Tomorrow I’m off to climb Mt Taylor which is the highest mountain in New Mexico at over 11,000′. The snows and storms today at only 7000′ had driven a lot of hikers to hitch into town today so the high mountains should be interesting. Tomorrow is 4000′ feet of climbing, high winds forecast, 25+ mile day with a big mountain at the end and a post holing finish in deep snow off the north side of the mountain. Embrace the brutality and welcome to the CDT 🙂