Posted by 16.1 miles
The temptation of Divalla Ranch was too much to ignore. I’d so many good stories a out this place.
Essentially a local rancher John Davilla whose property the CDT passes through has taken it upon himself to establish a free camping area for CDT hikers. It it rough with mainly 3 sided shelters but provides toilets, showers, washing machines and driers, loaner clothes and a small kitchen. The kitchen complete with gas cookers, utensils and John provides an endless supply of potatoes, eggs and canned beans to cook up a storm. And did I mention WIFI. All free of charge. Of course I left a nice donation.
But first I had to get there and it wasn’t going to be an easy with a massive climb up towards the Mt Magnus Fire tower. While my morning pace is usually around 3 miles I was slowed to 2 and 1.5 at times depending on the grade. It was a car graded road with a steeper ascent than what the hiking trail grade is like.
Making up to the top I pulled over for a 5 minute breather when in strolls Christina who I met before Silver City. She is fully fresh having camped at the fore tower only a few hundred metres away. We chatted for a bit while she waited for me to have my break. We then headed off together walking and talking for the next 5 or 6 miles. I think we both thought it awesome to have some company for a change and we chatted about so many different things.
As the sun was heating up I had to pull off trail to apply sunscreen to my pale skin and Christina continued on. She was also headed for Davilla so we would catch up again.
I had around another 7 miles to reach the ranch but I tell you they were difficult. For some reason, right now, that dicky left ankle decided to start to play up and get worse. Maybe it was the body knowing we we’re approaching something resembling civilisation that I wanted to pack up. It began throbbing painfully. Looking at it there was an obvious patch of redness and swelling. Only 3 miles out I found I have to pull over every 20-30 minutes, take pressure of it by sitting down and elevating it on my pack. The knowledge of there being a fridge at Davilla I was hoping there might be an associated freezer and potentially ice to boot.
I pressed on and made it being greeted by Hulk who was just on his way out towards Pie Town, Trousers from the Netherlands and Pritch. Christina had yet to arrive – again I must have passed her when she had pulled of trail.
Besides the usual pleasantries and speed dating getting to know you, I headed straight for the fridge and found it did indeed have a freezer and even better had ice. I packed my bandana full of ice, found a shady spot and went right to work on resting that damn ankle. Luckily it was a lower mileage day with half a day to rest and recover. Tomorrow would be a similar day.
Davilla Ranch certainly lived up to its name. Who would have thought something as simple as a hot shower to cleanse a weeks worth of grim away and laundered clothes could made one feel so good. Plus the company was awesome. Christina arrived a while later followed by X-Ray.
Trousers and Pritch had been here all morning and made the rest of the crew a lunch cook up to die for with the available ingredients.
The rancher John came by to make sure that everyone had everything they needed.
It felt great to spend a whole half a day almost being normal and not hiking. Taking with people, planning the route ahead and taking care of bodies. Trousers found a knee brace in the hiker box that is doubled over who be good for my ankle and found some KT tape as well. Looking ahead it will be a couple of 15 miler days, one into Pie Town and the following day to TLC Ranch.
Mick Beckers 