CDT - Day 13 - Gila Cliff Dwellings
Slept in a bit because I needed to wait for Doc Campbell's to open, I didn't want to wake them up super early. Christine opened the store for me when I called, and gave me my resupply box. I picked up a few more food items, and other miscellaneous things I needed. It's a fantastic store and the workers were very friendly. Of course I picked up a small cup of ice cream to enjoy while organizing my food carry.
After the resupply I headed out to the highway, and walked up to the Gila Visitor Center and then to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. While walking along the highway a couple of hikers named All Good and Purple Rain pulled over and gave me an ice cold seltzer water. They were very friendly and I ended up seeing them again later at the cliff dwellings tour. Randy and Upright, and Cupcake, whom I met yesterday, had also left at the same time I did and made it to the same cliff dwellings tour. After the tour I finished walking around the cliff dwellings loop, checked out the gift shop, and then hit the road again.
After about 11 miles of walking for the day, and being back on the Gila River Trail, I found the perfect campsite near the water. While setting up my tent Randy and Upright walked by, said hello, and mentioned they were going to camp a little further up. Another CDT hiker named Wings also walked by and said the same thing. Wings at also mentioned that there were three others behind him, but I never saw them. They must have found a campsite a little further.
These last couple of days have been really great. There were a few days early on on this adventure where I was beginning to question doing this, but reaching Silver City, and then the Gila River, and then Doc Campbell's, has really made this all worth it. I'm beginning to meet great people, and the hikes have been spectacular. I would urge anyone that wants to section hike the CDT to check out the Gila River Alternate. It's a long backpacking hike, but completely worth it. I'm anticipating another five or six before I reach Pie Town, which I am very much looking forward to.