Day 8 (May 3, 2021)

106.5 to Burrow Mountain Homestead (redline 120.8 plus.7 off trail)

The goal for today is a place called Burrow Mountain Homestead, an RV park in the hills south of Silver City. It is slightly off trail but hiker friendly and they allow you to camp there, about 15 miles total.

I am glad I did the extra miles yesterday because today’s trail included climbing up two mountains, though not to the peaks themselves. Nearly 2600 feet of climb. And most of it was real real. Only the last .7 miles was a road walk into the RV park.

In all honesty, today was more tough for me, so less mentally ready to report a lot. Some quick summaries:

• Lots of different geology today.
• Vey steep sections.
• Windy again.
• I know I have said it before, but it is amazing how much the environment and vegetation can change in a relatively short time. The trail today would cross over ridge lines several times and it would look like new worlds.
• Several great views today.
• Vertical wore me out. I was dragging getting to the RV park.
• Saw bear scat on trail several times.
• Burrow Mountain Homestead is an oasis. Beautiful, in the trees, with a lot of long term residents with beautiful spots. The central part of the park has temporary RV spots, a bathroom with showers, and an activity center with WiFi and power outlets. And a place to camp under trees. Perfect!
• The are mule deer that frequent the RV park and are semi-tame.
• A resident pulled up to the activity center where we (Beta, Pika, Abigail, Kitty, Montana, and myself) we were hanging out and offered cold refreshments. Very friendly.