CDT - Day 25 - Bonita Canyon
I made it to the blue line after three more miles of lava rock hopping, my ankles were angry. I could not wait to be out of the lava fields. After exiting the Acoma Zuni Trail I met CDT hikers Here and There hanging out at the trailhead. The water cache was down to one gallon and I filled up one liter, leaving just a little bit for anyone else in desperate need. Luckily the trail angel that dropped the water off initially was there and was headed out to get more water.
Leaving the Acoma Zuni Trailhead I headed towards the Bonita Canyon Trail and made my way along the dirt road. It was a nice walk through the canyon, with lots of trees and nice views of the canyon walls. With only one liter of water on me I was really hoping the electric water well pump was working at mile 6.9, and it was. I just had to flip the breaker and ice cold ground water started shooting out of the pipe. Hiker There showed up a few minutes after I turned the pump on, and he was excited about the cold water. His partner Here walked right past us and missed the water entirely. After I got my water I hiked up a bit and caught up to her to tell her that she missed it. It wasn't too far and she went back to the water.
I ended up hiking a total of 22 miles today. After exiting Bonita Canyon I was back on an asphalt road, which was terrible. I walked in the road for quite a while before two women in a side-by-side offered to take me to Grants. I hesitated at first, but then gave in, and I'm glad I did. They drove me straight to the Holiday Inn Express, where I showered and ordered a ton of food.