Today’s trek to the Trujillo water cache was very beautiful, but very difficult. This morning I struck out at 7:30 a.m., not sure whether I wanted to try to make it to the Trujillo water cache (about 22 miles/35.4 km) or stop a few miles short, knowing I could fill up pretty quickly in the morning.
Remember my crappy, slanted tent site last night? I actually was able to position myself so that I slept fine. But the minute I sat up, everything was slanted. Anyway, within a few minutes of hiking out, the terrain went from rocky and hilly to flat and nice. There was even a real camping spot set up! Figures.
Striking Out for the Water Cache
The first few miles today were pretty flat and easy, with golden grasses and occasional trees. I decided to go for the water cache. After two or so hours, I hit this steep downhill section that leads you off the mesa. I don’t know how long it was, but I went pretty slowly because there was slippery scree in many places.
Once off the mesa, there were these incredible rock formations. 
It’s so hard to describe them, but I took lots of pictures! After refilling my water at this cattle trough, things got tough.
For the rest of the hike, the trail kept going up and down these enormous rocky formations. Sometimes I almost had to use my hands. It would have been pretty cool to camp on some of these rocks, but it was too early to stop.
Water Is A Concern
I wanted to stop hiking around 5 p.m., as I was exhausted. But all of that climbing had me drink most of my water. If I didn’t push to the water cache, I’d have barely enough for a few sips at night, my coffee in the morning and a few sips en route to the cache. So onward I pushed.
The cache is amazing – 22 gallons! I was able to actually wash up a decent bit, plus drank as much water as I wanted. I refilled 
my bottles, of course, and will chug a ton in the morning before heading out. There may be just one or two more spots for water before Cuba.
I’ve decided I really don’t like hiking in the desert, as beautiful as it is. I just don’t like rationing my water. It’s easy to get dehydrated. And when you’re dehydrated, you don’t want to eat – just drink.
Snowshoe
Today’s Miles: 22.2 (35.7 km)
CDT Miles to Date: 190.3 (306.3 km)
CDT Miles to Go: 2,909.7 (4,682.7km)
