Another Alternate, Goodbye Gila

One of the cool things about the CDT is it's a pick your route type of trail.  So this morning we took a route out of the Gila canyon that we found on the maps.  The mileage was the same.  There were too many blow downs and poor conditions to continue when we had a viable option.  It was the right decision.  The trail climbed steeply one thousand feet in a mile.  My legs and pack felt great and I wasn't out of breath.  My legs are getting stronger and my body is adjusting.  Pretty cool to feel it adapting.  We ended up close to 8000 feet and up top it was pine trees, short trees, and rolling hills.

 The trail ended at a large ranch where we picked up a county road.  

  The road walk was about 15 miles but made a nice walk.  So easy after the Gila.  

It was windy up top! In spite of that we made good time and reconnected with the Gila alternate trail at Snow Lake campground.  This is a forest service campground out of the canyon.