[Cdt-l] New Trail in Northern NM

Sun Jan 27 22:33:51 CST 2013

Fifty-nine miles and 32 hours, man that's mileage.  Way to go Matt!
 Thirty-five miles at the very outside, and I just naturally find myself
putting up a tent and doing a partial death rattle in my bag.  I hope you
enjoyed Ghost Ranch.  You earned it.  That's some hiking!

Shroomer

On Sun, Jan 27, 2013 at 7:08 AM, Matt Signore <mpsignore at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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