We camped in a nicely sheltered location and rode out wind and rain. After yesterday’s sleet, hail, wind and rain the wind and rain was the coda we were expecting.
But we were pitched and ready just in time.
This morning was clear and beautiful.
We saw and ran into so many hikers yesterday.
Today it was empty.
This morning was cool, not cold and perfect. We got out early with the sunrise.
Passed some great landmarks.
It was a road walk the whole way, with a ranger station stop for water about halfway in.
However.
FarOut stated Grants was two miles past the Subway and about seventeen miles from where we camped following the new BLM guidance of staying about .25 miles from anyplace else.
That was not to be.
But first, our day.
Acoma-Zuni joined the trail.
Then a campground and privies at mile 506.
Mile 508.2 had the closed Ranger station with a working spigot. Nice water.
The subway was mile 517 and our first hikers of the day at the Subway which was great food. Has me looking forward to town.
We leave the Subway. Suddenly FarOut says five more miles to Grants. ?♂️
At five miles down at Mile 522 FarOut said two more miles to Grants.
I had pushed myself to get 17 miles by lunch because it was going to be two more miles then shower and sleep.
Seven more miles was a different story. But not so bad with a full stomach and two stops.
After all, Mile 522 found me sitting with a Diet Coke and it’s not so bad. Skip showed up and he walked us the rest of the way to SureStay, our hotel near Walmart.
Grants is listed at mile 524. Let’s be honest. FarOut mileage is screwy on the CDT sometimes. Not like it gets if you get off trail, but even if you are spot on the mainline.
I’ll still got that shower. Now laundry.
In theory:
- Pie Town mile 414.5
- Grants mile 523.8
- Cuba mile 627.9
At the same time, Pie Town to Grants was around 75 miles. Grants to Cuba is about 78-80 miles. 4-5 days of meals it looks like.