CDT1
First day on the CDT,
25th April first day CDT 1
Tented at 17 miles (27km)
Left Lordsburg just after 6:30 this morning for our three hour car trip to the border of Mexico, Crazy Cook.
First hour was easy going on sealed roads but the next two hours was rough going along unsealed roads and disused farm tracks. We passed three border patrol vehicles parked up obviously keeping an eye out for any Mexicans crossing illegally.
Finally arrived and after doing the usual photo parade in front of the CDT monument we started the trail at 9:30 leaving behind the Mexican border with only a wire farm fence between the two nation’s.
All up there was seven of us that started today and on the first couple of hours we were fighting our way through the strong winds and gusts that were pushing us off balance.
Thankfully it wasn’t as hot as it should be due to a storm building up further up north. Along the trail I suddenly was surprised by movement just to the side of the track and thinking of rattle snakes. I quickly jumped back only to find out that it was a jack rabbit that just stood there and looked at me.
Finally we arrived at the water catchment where we replenished our water bottles out of containers that were left there by the people that took us to the border.
We rested for 20 minutes and then Ken and I were the first to start moving with the plan to walk until 5pm.
It took some time to find a place to camp as there were only rocks and uneven ground everywhere, and it still wasn’t an ideal place as sand was blown everywhere and a thin layer sand was everywhere inside the tent.
Being the first day, we both were very tired with sore muscles all over. I mean really sore and I know for a fact that tomorrow is equally going to be a hard day with the plan to do 20 or so miles.
Great pictures. Takes me back to the Southwest!