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<BR>The problem would be the Gila. Crossing the river 200 some times too early in the year would be a miserable experience. When we hiked it in late April, it was a really good one. The Gila is beautiful, an oasis in the desert,with green cottonwoods, fantastic hoodoos, wildlife (we heard wolves), a great hot spring, Anasazi cliff dwellings - a fantastic place to visit in the Spring or early fall. (It was beautiful, if cold, in late fall on our '99 hike. We had enough sunshine we didn't mind the river crossings, but dealing with frozen boots and ice in the springs in the black range was a bit of a problem.) You can walk roads - but then you miss a lot of what makes the Gila a terrific part of a CDT hike. it may be faster, but much less enjoyable. There are trails you can take that limit the river crossings, but then you climb to high elevations where snow could be a real problem in February.<BR>
Ginny<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>
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From: doug-sue71@comcast.net<BR>To: cdt-l@mailman.backcountry.net<BR>Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 20:12:24 -0500<BR>Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] 2009 CDT hikers - crazy cook or columbus?<BR><BR><BR>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Can one avoid a lot of the water issues (and for that matter, hazardous fire conditions) in NM by starting from Crazy Cook's earlier, say in early March? </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Just wondering. If one started earlier and got to Cumbres too early, a few weeks off to rest and then start again would be ok, right? I would rather hike in some snow than 90 plus heat myself. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>And yes, I'm still dreaming of a CDT hike. Always.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>-Red Doug</FONT></DIV></body>
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