Today’s trek to Cumbres Pass was largely a good one, although there were some fraught moments (big surprise!).
Ed and I grabbed coffee at Fred and Debbie’s this morning, then hit the road by 8 a.m. It took more than 30 minutes on the bumpy gravel road to get to the spot where I left yesterday. I started hiking shortly before 9 a.m., and Ed went ahead to park the car and walk back to meet me.
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Trekking on Hwy. 170
I had 5 or so miles (8.1 km) on the gravel road before segueing onto Hwy. 170, which would take me to Cumbres Pass. I expected big uphills and downhills, but wasn’t prepared to hike uphill (often steeply) for 4.5 miles (7.2 km). It was quite disheartening, despite the relative ease of trekking on blacktop roads.
Shortly before reaching the peak, it began to rain. Thankfully, it only lasted 20 minutes or so. Plus, I was slackpacking, which helped immensely. I eventually even ditched my backpack,so I was walking freely.
Free-Range Cattle
The scenery here was quite pretty, with the mountains all around. We saw several groups of (real) cowboys herding cattle; lots of signs proclaimed this to be free-range land.
Mid-afternoon, when my energy was down, I heard a train whistle. The Cumbres & Toltec train! I saw it puff around a bend near me, followed by some little … thing. Not a caboose, nor one of those pumping things. Anyway, I was mesmerized. It also perked me up to 
know I was nearing Cumbres Pass.
Tucking In in Chama
I finished hiking by 4 p.m., then we drove to our lodging – Chama Trails Inn. It’s great place with laundry facilities and the nicest employees. We will shortly head out to a wine bar for an early birthday dinner (it’s closed tomorrow for dinner).
Also have to say that Epsom salt baths rock! They help so much with my bad back, knees and feet.
Snowshoe
Today’s Miles: 17.6 (28.3 km)
CDT Miles to Date: 702.7 (1,130.9 km)
CDT Miles to Go: 2,397.3 (3,858.1 km)
