by Melanie McManus | Sep 26, 2023 | Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Well, my much anticipated hike along the Gila River was not at all what I’d hoped and dreamed. Not remotely close. I knew this alternate route meant you’d cross the river 200 times and have wet feet. No problem. Some people said it was hard to find your way, but most...
by Melanie McManus | Sep 27, 2023 | Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Ed and I were stoked to get to Doc Campbell’s today. We’d have a shower, be able to do laundry and maybe even score a burger and beer. We struck out in the morning with a positive attitude. We could do this! We only had about 5 miles (8 km) of river trail before...
by Melanie McManus | Sep 28, 2023 | Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
The last few days were so taxing on this Gila River Alternate that I was having doubts about my hike. Should I hike on? Maybe I should bail and go home with Ed. Maybe I’m too old to be doing this stuff alone. It’s OK to change a goal you’ve set for yourself. Ed...
by Melanie McManus | Sep 29, 2023 | Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
I hoped for better trail today, so that I could stay on the Gila Middle Fork and not have to take the Gila High Route. Alas, it was not to be. First, on an early-morning water crossing I inadvertently chose a route that took me through water up to my crotch. Not good....
by Melanie McManus | Sep 30, 2023 | Continental Divide 2022 - ?, Trail Journals
Oh my goodness, this trail is going to kill me! I had a decent night’s sleep, anticipating a relatively easy hike to Bursum Road. An hour or so after dark, while I was drowsing off, I saw an orange light on one side of my tent. I figured it was an orangey full moon or...
