Micki Eubanks and Shannon Kelly
July 22–30
Our first night we camped at the intersection of Windsor/Borrego Trail after an uneventful start to our thru hike. We had just finished setting up our tents and filtering water when a mountain biker came screaming into our campsite asking for help. He was covered in sweat, very shaken. About 3/4 of a mile back toward Bear Wallow he surprised two mountain lions on the trail and he thought they were following him. After he calmed down we reviewed his gopro footage and saw the proof – he did indeed see two mountain lions! He then left, using the Borrega Trail to get out to the highway. This was, I think, the only night we didn’t have rain.
Our second night we camped at Spirit Lake. Because of the thunderstorms, we decided to go to Spirit Lake instead of Lake Katherine. Pretty funny – the next night we camped at Dockweiler and Jack’s Creek (in the rain) and another hiker said he was at Lake Katherine the night before and it did not rain there. We had hail at Spirit Lake. Oh well.
On our fourth day left Dockweiler/Jack’s Creek and made it to about 1 mile past Truches Lakes to the “hidden” campsite. It was really picturesque and had great views. Pecos Baldy Lake was beautiful and we took a break there to chat with another hiker and dry out a few things. Went back up to Skyline and soon came upon a (fresh) dead cow to the left of the trail. No outward signs of trauma; probably a calving gone wrong. Soon we came out to Trailriders Wall – so majestic! My favorite part of the hike (West Fork is a close second).
Our fifth day started 1 mile past Truches Lakes and ended at Bull Field on Indian Creek Trail, just past Santa Barbara campground. The campground was calling me (especially because it was getting ready to rain again), but getting some of that ascent out of the way was a better idea. We got to Bull Field and the rain stopped. Decent site, but not very flat – had to do the inchworm all night!
Day 6 ended at Agua Piedra campground. We did the Bear Mountain cutoff and went up the Comales Trail. We pitched our tents, paid our site fees, and then took off for Tres Ritos. Somehow I had gotten an old combo and the lock would not open. There was a very nice gentleman who greeted us from his porch just before we arrived at the storage unit. Since the Garmin takes a while for messages to transmit, I walked back to his house. He very graciously let me use his WiFi to send a message on my phone. We discovered through conversation that we have the same last name! Well, almost. He is Eubank and I am Eubanks. We were able to get the updated code and all was well. We filled up our food bags, powered up our devices, drank a soda, and ate too many M&Ms.
Day 7 ended at the intersection of FR 439A and Trail 124. La Cueva trail was quite pretty and the morning was pleasantly cool. Following directions from the guidebook we turned right at the bedsprings and found the entrance to the trail by the wood bench. Then it was on…that ascent went on and on! Finally made it to the open field at the top and rested in the sun for a bit.
Day 8 ended at Rio Chiquita Bridge. Great campsite. It was a bit tricky to find the connector, but once we did it was smooth sailing. Talked with a family from Colorado picnicking next to Beaver Pond (they were in an ATV they called Otis), but otherwise we didn’t see anyone.
Day 9 we decided to go all the way to Taos. Man was it hot! We cameled up at the last water before Drake Canyon. Halfway through Drake our water turned warm. Walking on the road to Taos Shannon scared some horses with her hiking umbrella! They didn’t know what to make of that. Finally got to Taos Inn and enjoyed some cold water and AC.
Thank you so much for this experience. We had a blast and really enjoyed New Mexico.