[Cdt-l] New Trail in Northern NM

[Matt Signore]

Hey all sorry for the delay in response was at Outdoor Retail show and had
a busy few days.  I SOBO'd the trail, and when I got to HWY 84 it was about
3am and I had just hiked 59 miles up to that point.  To say the least I was
not at the top of my mental capacity after hiking 25 hours.

I was armed with a 2010 or 2011 Ley map ( I don't want to wake up Yogi and
find out which she printed for me) and the new BCSS waypoints in my GPS.
 The DATED Ley map showed the now official route as a purple route, and I
assumed (yes I know the assume joke) that the official route was still the
same.   By following the GPS (what I use mostly at night to help navigate)
I followed the official route to Hwy 84.  The last 10 miles ( NORTH of 84)
I hiked to Hwy 84 truly sucked flagged with what seemed  few year old tape
in spots had CDT markers sparingly mixed in with nasty brambles and a 2'
high canopy.  I am guessing where I should have turned on to the Ley Route
to Ghost Ranch is where it got really unpleasant.

In a nutshell I followed the official route to Hwy 84 couldn't find Ghost
Ranch walked the Hwy in each direction for about 1 mile.  Then went across
the highway and followed the trail for about 2 miles still no Ghost Ranch
go back to 84 then thought maybe I didn't go far enough so I go back South
of the Hwy to what I believe is named Salazaar Tank.  The light bulb
finally went off...I fouled up bigtime!  So, I back track to the Hwy and
walked the 8 miles to the ranch.  Continued using the Ley Route South of
Ghost Ranch to Skull Bridge.  I can say this the trail up to Salazaar Tank
was in awesome shape!  If this is still confusing I can bust out the maps
and be more specific.  Moral of the story use current maps, and don't walk
32 hours straight!




On Sat, Jan 26, 2013 at 11:49 AM, <bcss at bresnan.net> wrote:

> First of all, I agree that going to Ghost Ranch should be part of the
> plan.  It is really a nice place to stop, resupply, and eat some good
> food.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> If you don’t turn towards Ghost Ranch, the official route continues north
> after crossing the Rio Chama at Skull Bridge.  It is a nice hike climbing
> up out of the canyon with phenomenal views – some of the nicest in NM.  It
> doesn’t get much use because of the popularity of Ghost Ranch, but going
> that way avoids the 12 mile road walk to the ranch.  Once on top, the
> official route follows jeep trails in places but USFS plans to reroute it
> to follow the rim so eventually it will be even more scenic.  The trail is
> a bit indistinct (again, lack of use) in Martinez Canyon after it crosses
> Hwy 84 north of Ghost Ranch, but as long as you stay near the streambed it
> will get you there.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> Another option - Last summer I met a couple at Ghost Ranch who had hiked
> the official route to Hwy 84 then hitched the 8 miles south to Ghost
> Ranch.  They were going to hitch back to resume.  I don’t know how easy the
> hitch is, but there is considerable traffic on the highway. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Both routes come together again south of Harris Bear Camp and neither one
> goes to Chama.  You can take the narrow gauge railroad (or hitch) from
> Cumbres Pass to Chama to resupply before beginning the South San Juans.  Or
> resupply at Ghost Ranch and carry enough to get you to Wolf Creek, but that
> is a long haul (180 miles).
>
> Matt - I thought the hike from Cuba through the San Pedro Peaks and Chama
> Wilderness to Skull Bridge was interesting and enjoyable.  San Pedro Peaks
> is the first taste of high country in 90 miles since Mt. Taylor headed
> north.  Certainly the 12 miles of road walk from Skull Bridge to Ghost
> Ranch leaves a lot to be desired, but that is not part of the official
> route.    ****
>
> ** **
>
> best wishes,****
>
> ** **
>
> Jerry Brown****
>
> mailto:bcss at bresnan.net <bcss at bresnan.net>****
>
> www.bearcreeksurvey.com****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* cdt-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:
> cdt-l-bounces at backcountry.net] *On Behalf Of *Matt Signore
> *Sent:* Saturday, January 26, 2013 8:13 AM
> *To:* Doug Carlson
> *Cc:* Cdt-l at backcountry.net
> *Subject:* Re: [Cdt-l] New Trail in Northern NM****
>
> ** **
>
> I used the "new trail", but it sucks until South of Ghost Ranch.  The
> official route puts you about 8 miles North of Ghost Ranch on a random
> highway.  I would take the Ley Route to Ghost Ranch.  To avoid the Ranch is
> just silly.****
>
> On Jan 25, 2013 1:18 PM, "Doug Carlson" <doug-sue at centurylink.net> wrote:*
> ***
>
> wondering if anyone has hiked the new section of trail that avoids the
> road walk into Chama? ****
>
>  ****
>
> And after Cuba, is there any easy resupply points before Colorado?  I
> looks like the new section of trail goes around Chama.   ****
>
>  ****
>
> -Trew****
>
>
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>



-- 
Matt Signore
worldwidesadventures.com
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