Chama-Chama-Chama-Chameleon. Sorry, the brain does wierd things while wandering around out here. So, I've made it to Chama, in case that wasn't obvious, and in doing so am officially done with New Mexico. The trail passes out of the state near Cumbres Pass, though the town itself is actually back across the border... sigh, NM just doesn't like letting go.
It certainly feels like a different state however, for the scenery changes drastically after leaving Ghost Ranch. While there had been scattered areas of snow and patches of green at the higher elevations before, everything is now verdant in all directions. There have been multiple high meadows full of blooming dandelions and wild irises, as well as some drier plateaus populated by elk, pronghorn antelope and coyotes. These give way to pine and aspen forests, providing some much needed shade and protection from the wind, which can lower the temperature pretty quickly even on sunny days. Snow drifts and mountain streams abound, making water access a non issue for once, and lightening the pack load even if it is somewhat balanced out by the extra warm weather gear I'll be carrying.
The section north of here supposedly starts to get quite a bit more difficult, with weather and snow travel becoming an issue. Elinor, who I was hiking with before my knee injury, apparently got dumped on with hail near here and her tent collapsed, so here's hoping I miss that bit of adventure. Pagosa Springs is the next stop, just trying to take things one step at a time here, so the push must continue on. Talk to everyone later!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Happy to hear that you're continuing to do well! If you need any warm knit things to be shipped to you, text me. I can whip up some hats and fingerless gloves (or full gloves, if you want) and send them to a drop area if you want. xoxo
Post a Comment