Grants, NM to the Cuba vortex

This trail section has been interesting to say the least. Leaving Grants we passed two correctional facilities, which I suppose explains  the no hitchhiking signs. One one the ladies from the women facility did wish us good luck our journey as we passed.

We were treated to some great views and varying terrain sand, dirt trail, and hard sandstone. I’ve been trying to remember to take more pictures but they just don’t do it justice. It totally looks like West World. Man, if only I had a horse.

Now on the weather, seriously we had it ALL. Started out with warm days and wind. Then it got overcast and windy. Next there was rain, hail and wind. See a theme. Kelsey’s tent was blowing away, with her in it. I had staked down my tent, but this only created a mini sand storm in my tent. On the upside we camped right by a water cache, so no filtering and Pop tarts! Thanks trail angels! [A trail angel is a kind-hearted person who performs a good deed (for example, gives a ride into town or back to the trail) for a hiker.]

When we got into Cuba, we ate McDonalds and got to our motel. We stayed at the Del Prado motel, much needed after a cold rainy day. Now the next day we got our supplies, packed up and were headed for the trail. We got as far as the Frontier motel, half a mile away!

Zero day in Cuba (A no-hiking day is sometimes referred to “taking a zero” or hiking no miles that day.) Why? Well, for one thing we are fast approaching the San Juan mountains, our first snowy section in about a week. I’m excited and concerned. At the next stop I pickup my ice axe, micro spikes and winter gear! It’s about to get real. Plus the next 12 miles we hike gradually uphill. We ended up going up to well over 10,000ft, so yea. Basically we are slowing the pace hoping for more snow melt. Outta here tomorrow…let the slow crawl begin.