I woke early at the hotel and planned the day’s hike. I was expecting to only do about 13 miles to the first water then stop since I’d be getting a late start about 9 AM. Several other hikers were doing the same (or so I thought)
But first I had a package to pick up at the Post Office. It contained socks (remember the nighttime desert caper?), Body Glide (I haven’t mentioned but chafing is an issue in your delicate areas), and a tent stake (it’s like losing a sock while doing your wash, just where do they go). I got to the PO at 8:15 and waited with another hiker, One Pole, until they opened at 8:30. Since I had been fortunate to have Radar give me a few things in Lordsburg I sent back home the duplicates: USB cord and a rag. So by 8:55 I was back to the hotel, checked out, and hiking out of town.
Out of Silver City I took my first Alternative, Little Walnut Creek. This was a 8 mile first asphalt, then dirt road walk. As with all road walks it sucked. Finally we were in the forest on regular trails. Well maybe not regular. They were hilly, rocky and steep. At one point I slipped and tore the crotch of my pants. Great, another thing to fix or have sent to me. Finally I got to Bear Creek, the water stop, but no one was there. The others had gotten their water and hiked on. So I decided to continue for a few more miles. Finally I was done and set up my cowboy campsite alone in the Gila National Forest.
As I sit here and type this I’m on the top of a hill looking out on some natural beauty.
