(Temporary) Relief From The Wind

We quickly escaped the wind this morning by climbing out of the Pinon and Juniper covered Upper Sonoran Zone into the Transition Zone of tall Ponderosa Pines, which provided a wind-block. Here, we meandered along the continental divide, fully crossing it three times over a nine mile stretch.

Water is scarce in this section of New Mexico so we had planned to fill up at the Beaverhead Work Center. Unfortunately, they had closed for the season a few weeks earlier and the water had been shut off. We continued along the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway and dropped down to Wall Lake. Here, we were able to refill our water thanks to the hospitality of the Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch, preventing us from being forced to filter water alongside cattle herds from the somewhat stagnant lake.

With darkness approaching, we had a rapid 800 foot descent to the Black Canyon Campground.