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| CDT Colorado #1 New Mexico #31, CO | |
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| | CDT Colorado #1 New Mexico #31, CO | | | |
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CDT Colorado #1 New Mexico #31, CO
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| Hiking | 8.00 Miles |
1,397 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.00 Miles | 3 Hrs 39 Mns | | 2.30 mph |
| 1,397 ft AEG | 10 Mns Break | 20 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | Colorado Trip September 2022 - Day #7 (Hike #12)
CDT (CO #1 - NM #31)
Rather than one 660-mile drive home we decided to break it into two days. The first day would be the shorter drive broken up with a 3-4 hour hike, leaving the long drive for the second day.
And talk about serendipity... just past the halfway point of our planned drive to Farmington, NM is the Continental Divide, and quite appropriately the CDNST (Continental Divide National Scenic Trail) crosses there as well.
While hiking sections of the trail in Colorado and southern New Mexico over the last few years we always referred to it simply as The CDT and we will continue to do so. (Just as we refer to the Arizona Trail the AZT, not ANST.)
It's a great spot to hike from, so should we travel north or south? Being within 3 miles of the CO?NM border the choice was easy. We decided to hike south on Colorado Section #1 of the CDT into New Mexico, catch a few miles of NM Section #31 then retrace the same route.
Ok, the plan is set, let's get hiking!
Right away it gets the blood flowing with a quick half-mile 200' climb from CO #17 followed by a few bumps along a ridge on a 200' descent the next mile-or-so. There are a few side-trails leading to rock outcroppings. I took a quick detour up the first outcropping, took a few photos, returned to the trail and we continued on. As compelling as the second one was we'd bypass it and if we're still wanting for more we'll check it out on the return trip.
The next mile takes us on a 400' climb from an open meadow into the trees, reaching the highest elevation (10,420') at 2.5 miles out. Next comes a quick 100' descent through an open meadow, then into some trees, only to open back up at the CO/NM border.
The sign at the border looks pretty rough and could use a lot of love. As we approached from the north it welcomed us to the Carson National Forest and on the flip side the welcome was into the San Juan National Forest. The post was adorned with a license plate from both states, plus something of interest neither of us noted until we took a second look on the return trip. (Sorry, you'll have to stay tuned for that tidbit)
Roughly a hundred feet west of the border sign is a marker set atop a raised concrete cylinder, of which was THE most interesting marker I'd ever encountered. (Check out the photoset and you may agree)
South from the CO/NM border the trail continues across open meadows interspersed with a few clumps of trees, all the while ascending over so slowly for a half-mile until an abrupt not-quite 180°. At that point the trail descends about 75 feet to Dixie Creek. While there was water in the creek there didn't appear to be any flow, and with a little extra effort to lengthen a normal-length jump we were across.
From Dixie Creek the trail began an easy, slow climb, and upon reaching roughly 4 miles out we decided to stop for a lunch-break then head back. Just as we finished our lunch a NOBO backpacker came along. We chatted with her for a minute or two before she continued on. But not a hundred feet away, here comes another backpacker, this time a guy who was SOBO. They began an extended chat so we bid them adieu and headed back northward.
It turns out both were finishing up their CDT hike, finishing this last segment which had been closed for some time earlier in the year due to fires in Carson National Forest in New Mexico.
The time passed much quicker than expected on the return trip and we were soon back to the border. Having heard from the SOBO hiker about a special item attached to the signpost at the border, upon closer inspection, yup, there it was, a 3/4-full bottle of Jack Daniels. While it appeared to actually be as labeled, neither of us was prone to twist it open even for a whiff. Better left alone.
On the return trip within 1.25 to .5 miles from the end we encountered a three separate couples, none of whom appeared to be equipped for anything but a very short hike. Even a small bottle of water seems to be too much to carry for some. But what can you say? Tourists!
FYI: There is a station for the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad just across the highway from the trailhead. Also of note, about 3/4-mile South on the CDT if you look east you can see the 180° teardrop curve of the railway named Tanglewood Curve. |
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