Jessica Chonlahan and Dace Jamison (“the Oklahomies”)
June 25 – July 2, 2026
Day 1 – 12 miles
Started at 6:30 am from Red River to admin building. No bathrooms. Bus on time from there at 8:00 am with Bobby the driver. Hilarious! Down by Santa Fe Plaza hard to find bathroom though one at museum. Started a bit lost with the Camino part was definitely confusing and should stay left until the “9” sign. Started up little creek and there was no water for 10 miles. Uphill and downhill talk to guy that looked like Darrow! Looked like rain for a bit. Lunch at the bench was nice. Bag way too heavy. Made it to big creek with no water at 3:30. Thank goodness Bubbe went down and got some. Shoulda stayed there but continued on. The trail following was actually really nice but I was getting so tired. Stopped at Jawbone Trail for camp at about 5:00 and then thirty minutes later husband lost his shit when it started to rain and he hadn’t eaten yet. Got nice around 7 and he ate another ramen. We both were dehydrated as heck. On to the next one.
Day 2 – 13.4 miles
Up at 6 am. Have +4,700 ft elevation gain today. Coffee was great. Headed out and saw 3 mountain bikers early. Then a few hikes even one couple, with guy that worked at REI, knew about the thru hike and are making plans to do it. Made it up to ski basin about 12 ish. Had lunch which had bunch of flies but not that bad. The hike up was a struggle but we made it to the Pecos Wilderness. So many hikers like 20 or something but then it thinned out at Rio Nambe. Had a bit of service and rain forecasted at 7. Garmin said 0%. Made it up to the pass with epic views but could see storm clouds! Headed down to Lake Katherine and hail started! Only half mile to go. Made to lake at 4:30! Had ten minutes to set up tent barely made it before downpour for 2 hours. Had break so ate ramen and hung bear bags. Small sprinkle to close it out!
Day 3 – 14 miles
Super cold this morning at Lake Katherine about 39 degrees but lovely view point. Lots of people staying there but spread out all over. Made our way down and it was a delight. Nice under foot with the tread and good views. Lots of Aspen! Kinda of windy but not too bad. Changed out of warm clothes at junction of Stewart lake. They were fly fishing there about 6 people. Ran into about 14 people of trail throughout the day and 2 horseback riders. Had 15 min lunch at Cave Trail. Caves were cool from a distance. Even saw two trout in the stream. Started up Dockweiler which was a tough climb about 1500’ in 2.1 miles. The aspens were gorgeous! There was a lot of overgrowth but you could still tell where you going. Made it to Rito Perro Field and there were a million flies. They were biting and leaving welts on my legs! Water was not flowing well at the reliable source so we continued on. Made it to Jacks Creek and thought it was dry but actually flowing okay. Set up camp took 30 minutes because there were a lot of weird trees. Had to wash off my hands and feet because I had two blisters! Had mash potatoes and my bacon bits. Yummy! I wonder how far we are gonna make it tomorrow.
Day 4 – 17 miles
Started off the day without any fallen trees. I was grumpy in the morning because I had to bandage my toe. Got water at trickle but about 0.1 up was better. At the sign was not good campsite or water. Do not recommend. Started ascent to Pecos Baldy. Burn scar was crazy weird but good under foot. The trail was so nice compared to AT. Made it to the lake and it was gorgeous. Saw two people that had camped there though. Went up to make our way to Trail Riders Wall. Crazzzzyyy wind like almost blow you off the side. Kinda lost the trail for a second and should have looked left at last carin. Truchas Peak and lake were amazing. We saw two marmots by the peak on the talus field! Tough climb up but great views. Had lunch for 20 mins. Saw a trail runner there as well went up to Beatty’s and saw the runner again. He was gonna do 30 miles! Santa Barbara Divide was pretty but too windy. The way down was a bit scary with scree but totally manageable. Lots of blow downs through forest and even saw another couple going up to No Fish. The way down was long and hard on my feet. Snack was good in the aspens. Made it to creek crossing and wanted more miles already at 14 so went across pretty fields with cows. The bull kept getting in our way. Finally to Middle Fork and bub wanted campsite that was pretty wide but lots of flies. Only 5 at that point so set up tent hang and chilled for a second. Dinner at 6 and I went into the tent at 7! Have to doctor my foot again tomorrow. Hope it doesn’t hurt on the last tough incline.
Day 5 – 17 miles
Left from West Fork Trail from excellent camping and made our way to Santa Barbara Campground. As soon as we stepped in some peoples’ dog charged us! Of course! Met some dudes that had to get off SF2T trail with altitude sickness and knee problems. Got to show bub my class work from tree cutting. Made it up Indian Creek Trail which was a beast of a trail. Finally leveled off to go over some blow downs. The creek water was cold and delicious! It’s amazing how much reminds me of East coast though it’s much drier over here. Took forever to get up as had to take breaks every 5 mins! The view was stunning at the top and so vast! Had lunch just past Ripley. The down hill was tough and dull. Got lost a few times and used Trail Forks thank goodness. Got to Agua Piedra and my bandage had slipped! Tough break but got going to make it to campground. The host was so nice and offered the field and toilets and clean off in the creek. Powered through as it was almost 4. Getting across field was difficult but made it to the road. Started up La Cueva and made to field at 5:30! No water though and had to scoop. Camp was nice and cool though. Finally found the trail forks tomorrow with bench and good view! Should be dry the next section so better have a large water carry!
Day 6 – 23 miles
Started off day thinking we would not have water but as we packed up camp we noticed the dam bub had cleared made the water flow better at the junction! We got to have coffee on the bench looking into the field. The cutoff was likely a washout so it was a tough uphill! Got warm real quick! The view point was awesome though. Continue on to what was suppose to be La Cueva Lake but it was a mud pit. They need monsoon season to start! A few more uphill and saw some bike tracks and a bunny. Then it was just lovely trail through a bunch of aspens. To get to the forest road was a doozey but we ended up on the shortcut unintentionally cause it’s Trail 8 on the sign. We walked back to confirm it was right road and did the 8 mile road walk. It wasn’t that bad initially and had great views from the burn scar that you could see Taos mountain and Wheeler! We had lunch briefly and made way down which was not that fun really and got old fast. I think it made me sick or something. Made it to Rio Grande del Rancho and washed off our feet and got cold water. It was soooo nice! That second uphill wasn’t as bad as the morning but still pretty tough. Then another break for the Connector Trail which was super confusing but at least there were these blue tags on trees to follow! That downhill was longgggg as well. Made it to campsite just after fish gate at 5:20pm! Killing it! So tired and wasn’t even hungry though. The flies and mosquitoes were atrocious! Kept biting my ankle so I got in the tent as soon as I finished my ramen bomb. Super tired I think I made myself dehydrated or rhabdo. Need electrolytes early tomorrow. More uphill but I think we are done in two days. I’m ready now. 6 days is a lot and I feel grosssss and need a shower.
Day 7 – 15.5 miles
It rained in the middle of the night but we had the flaps open. Tarp was a bit wet. Started out with a climb but it was gradual and lovely. Got warm quick though cause we are lower now. Stopped at the beautiful aspens and changed then headed passed the beaver pond and started on a forest road. It was a nice downhill and had some pretty trees. Saw wheeler once but other than that just more forest roads. Kinda repetitive and my feet were hurting. Stopped for lunch at the bridge and it was nice. There were so many beaver dams. The next forest road was long 7 miles and hot! Not strenuous but just so hard on the feet cause it was hot and I wanted to go slow cause we’d get there too early. Got there about 3 and just chilled in the shade. Finally saw a guy and his kid on an e-bike and then a motorcycle guy. It was nice to rest for a few hours. Went to other campsite at 5:30 and ate at 6ish. Not many flies this time which was nice. Only 13.6 miles till TAOS!
Day 8 – 14 miles
Left camp early and headed up Drake Canyon. Nice and cool actually and nice views at the top. A climb for sure but not too bad. Warmed up quick! Made it over to Ojitos and finally saw Taos! So cool that we have made it that far. Downhill wasn’t that bad but it was hot. The bike tracks and humps were fun to walk on actually. We kept saying “woooo” over them which made it more fun. Had lunch which helped finish us in! Almost missed the right turn off for the shortcut but i noticed the Talpa Trail the opposite way which was a nice clue. El Nogal was fun down and saw a few trail runners and definitively busier. The road walk was not too bad but busy for the holiday weekend. Taos Cow was a treat. Dace got a cherry cone and i got Coffee Ole! Made it to the sidewalk and this sweet girl stopped and asked if we just did the trail and celebrated with us. She’s gonna try it in August. The plaza was under construction but fun to have made it. Tried to go to Taos Mountain Outfitters and the worker had no idea about the trail and didn’t even offer like a sticker to celebrate. Maybe I’ll try again haha. Had to get McD’s and a beer at Taos Mesa (server there wants to do it, too!). Mom came and got us and it was complete.
