It's All Downhill From Here......

I believe this is Day 15 - already! Routines are well entrenched now and the days have a comfortable rhythm to them. So, as usual, I had my clothes and gear laid out the night before. Imagine my surprise when I awoke to rain pellets (just marginally softer than full blown ice pellets) on the window and the wind whistling outside. Oh no!! I quickly dug out my rain gear and warm clothes since we were to reach the highest point of the trip today - 8228 feet at Emory Pass. Alas - it must have just been a cloud burst since the parking lot was dry by the time I stuck my head out the door and the day warmed up nicely with the rising of the sun. The wind stuck around but was thankfully a tailwind for most of the day.

We started the day in Silver City NM and finished in Kingston NM (pop 20). The stats: 48 miles, 5200 feet of climbing, 4900 feet of descent. We didn't reach our high point until the 40 mile mark. We spent maybe the first 20 miles going up and down long and scenic climbs and descents. The final climb via a continual series of switchbacks was in a National Forest area where the forest was thick and the trees substantial. It was a nice change from the stark desert of the lower elevations. Once on top there was a short walk to a magnificent vista point (picture below) that includes snippets of the upcoming 8 mile winding descent into the hamlet of Kingston.

The highlight of the day was the number of women who did the entire climb, many of whom had never done a ride anything like this one in their entire lives. Another highlight was the absolutely charming Black Range Lodge B&B that we called home for the night. We were treated to a full turkey dinner by host Catherine & helpers.

BTW - the previous day was a rest day for us. Five of us rented a car and drove to see the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Very interesting and a very pretty drive as well.