The Badlands

O"Do not leave a cairn until you have the next one in sight" the sign at the Zuni Acoma trailhead said.  There was no trail, just a route marked by cairns across the lava flow.  The lava is scarred with crevasses, fissures, caves and rock bridges like a glacier.  There's a lot of jumbled rock.  You wouldn't think anything could grow here and yet there are trees, flowers, and cacti.  They thrive in the in between spaces.  

It took us 4 1/2 hours to cross it.

The water cache maintained by trail angels was empty.  Fortunately I had cell service and was able to call them and they came out.  Yay for trail angels!  We didn't have enough water to continue and would've had to hitch into town.  We ate lunch while we waited. 

After all of that it was an easy and beautiful walk through Bonita Canyon and Zuni canyon.  As I was walking down the road enjoying the evening and beautiful view I walked right by a napping rattlesnake.  Never saw it.  Hello!  A classic "helicopter" moment.  Pounce saw it and gave it a wide berth.

Pounce and I are weary and sore but in good spirits.  We are only 6 miles from Grants and are planning on a much needed rest.