Welcome

We are currently on another long distance hike, and the third leg of our "triple crown", the Continental Divide Trail (the "CDT"). Come along with us if you can - if not in person then by following our grand adventure via our "posts from the trail".  Check out our Flickr Photos, which we'll update periodically, and see it through our eyes!

Our Credo...

"Success: To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!" ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Journal July 11 Ghost Ranch

Continuing the road walk we began the night before we left the small canyon and rolled along with ups an downs along the west slope of a ridge. The CDT turned to trail and dropped precipitously along a series of switchbacks overgrown with oak into Ojitas Canyon.

A small but lovely stream flowed in the canyon and we took advantage of the water to restock before the flow of the creek left the mouth of the canyon and drained away completley to the desert sands.

Crossing a sea of sagebrush we passed canyon walls with layers of red and yellow rock until we were out on the flats. We crossed the Rio Chama and followed a road down it’s north bank. An actual river in sight and, almost in reach, for several miles of hiking! We took lunch in the shade of some large oak trees by the banks of the river.

As the river cut down through layers of red rock, the road continued atop the mesa and pulled away. Gone were the trees, gone was anything large enough for shade. Even the afternoon Thunderheads which chased us down the valley were at an angle that still let the hot sun shine most of the time. An old signboard about 4 foot high and long ago abandoned cast just enough shadow for us to break under.

We bushwhacked across the desert, crossed highway 84 and followed the nature trail from the Ghost Ranch Museum to the Ghost Ranch facilities.

A long day of hiking, so we arrived after the dinner hour, which we had figured we would. But we found a soda machine, the campground, laundry and showers!

21 miles

Leave a Reply

PAGES

RECENTPOSTS

MYARCHIVE

FAVORITESITES

RECENTPHOTOS

Clicking on any of these photos will take you to that specific photo on our Flickr Stream, where you can view these and many, many more photos from our latest adventure....or use this shortcut to all photos.....we hope you enjoy them!

People Shots

CDT20101_NMWCWMCDT2010_TheTrailCDT2010_NMWC-1Carrot After a Trail BathCarrot Stream Crossing #3,768Carrot on the Trail stillCarrot takes a Trail BathCarrot Stream Crossing #5.875Carrot on the TrailCliff Dwelling SignCarrot takes a PhotoCarrot Stream Crossing # 2,115

Scenic Shots

CDT2010-valleyCDT2010_yellowflowersCarrot on the Trail 3ScenicPotty BreakScenicCliff Dwelling Stream Vast DesertPrickly Pear 2Prickly PearPlateau at Sunset

Flora & Fauna

CDT2010_treesCDT2010_yellowflowersCDT2010-purpleflowersAngry MarmotFlora 3FloraBeaverButterfly 2FloraButterfly