Posted by I woke early again to hike the 2.8 mile Highway road walk out of Lordsburg and the last open section done in the cool of the morning.
But first thing was first. The golden arches for breakfast. The store was not quite open and was meant to be locked but there was a issue with the door that I walked in through unbeknownst to the staff or me. I was at the counter when the manager saw me and asked me how I got in. Surprised by the question I pointed to the door and said through that door. She booted me out, not prepared to take any orders yet. She said “you can use the drive through but you need a car” – great help. Anyway, only 10 minutes to opening I waited outside. One of the other staff came out and asked would I like coffee, no charge. Of course. Long story short, I waited until opening, had a feed and hit the road.
A short road walk out of town along the shoulder of the road soon had me at the trail turn off, in to open paddocks. A barbed wired fence had to be crawled under. The bottom were wires pulled up and secured by some other wire to assist hikers negotiate this obstacle.
Light rain fell as I crossed the bare paddocks following a faint footpad from where others had gone before me, following from trail sign off in the distance to the next. At one point I lost the route and looking at my maps recognised I was .2 mile off course. Looking around to how to get back on trail I saw Etienne had caught with me and had followed my mistake. We quickly worked out how to get back on route, no time lost.
We were both aiming for 10 by 10, that is 10 miles completed by 10am, which we did and took a quick break before the trail would start to rise and lead into the foothills with the promise of trees.
We talked about meeting up for lunch around 1:30pm at a marker on our maps designated as a derelict cabin. Etienne sped ahead and I did not see him for the rest of the day. The route ahead to the cabin would rise gently for 8 miles. Along the way I passed a 100 mile scratched into the ground, confirmed with my map and briefly celebrated. Then a while one I came across rocks places to spell out 100 then further along again another rock 100. Which one was right I have no idea but reckoned I’d passed the 100 mile marker.
I made the cabin by 1:30pm and was beat, desperately needing lunch. Etienne had obviously made it way earlier, the speedy guy, had lunch and moved on. Other than reaching the next water cache we didn’t really talk about a rally point for the night.
Reenergised with food I pressed on. The trail quickly turned into single track and soon entered trees. Oh my god, trees with shade. Right out to the next water cache the trail was obviously well cared for by some locals and it immaculately groomed with branches cut, rock cairns and all false leads blocked off. Thank you so much for whoever does this work.
The day was getting on and I needed to reach the next cache to top up water. This cache is an unofficial one maintained by volunteers and you never quite know if it will be stocked or not. Not be caught out it pays to have some backup should the cache be empty. That is how I found that I needlessly hauled 2 extra litres for 23 plus miles to this cache. It was stocked with plenty to go around.
I was just making a video praising the efforts of the volunteers who maintain these sites when in drives a vehicle. The driver, Jane, doesn’t maintain the water but does maintain a cooler of soda’s at the same spot. Before I could say anything I’m handed an ice old Coke. Wow! That was so needed at that time. Thank’s Jane!
I walked on for another 30 mins with plenty of juice still in the tank but spied a great little camp site around 4:45pm and called it a day.
Mick Beckers 