WalkingCarrot

We continue along desolate backroads along the highlands anchored by Mt Taylor to the south. The roads follow a series of mesas which are part of the San Mateo mountains. The walk is mostly flat with some long, gradual ups and downs.

The mesas are parlty covered in trees and partly covered with Sage and Rabbitbrush. Where there are trees, Juniper and Oak predominate with pockets of Ponderosa in some of the higher elevations.

Otherwise, it’s a desolate plain. The only wildlife, aside from cows, is an occasional prarie dog. We did see one very unnexpected pick up truck, as we did yesterday. The 4th of July holiday has brought out the weekend warrior car campers.

Afternoon brings the now normal build up of thunderclouds. Two strong cells of dark clouds are rumbling and dropping sheets of rain. Occassional flashes of lighting, nature’s own fireworks, add to the drama. Both storms are about 5 miles away and seem stalled. As we get closer, ground winds seem to blow toward us from the nearest storm while the couds overhead seem to move in the opposite direction, towards the storm, while other clouds in the sky seem to drift in different directions.

This has been pretty typical each day; it would seem the strong cells produce such wind patterns of their own. It makes it hard to assess our chances of being wet or dry, so we just shrug and move on, accepting what may come. There really is no other choice anyway. Today we dodge both storms and stay dry.

Late in the day we arrive at the spur trail for Ojo Los Indios spring. The Carrot goes for water, it’s her turn. Loaded back up with 6 quarts each we head out.

The road finally turns back to trail. No trail tread, but plenty of cairns and a relativey obvious pathway. We ascend to a higher mesa atop the mesa upon which we have been walking. A nearly full moon rises as the sun sets across the canyon. We make camp amongst the, Juniper, Pinion and Ponderosa Pines. Somehow, despite the dry terrain, we are pestered by mosquitoes during dinner.

Miles 23.0