CDT Day 2: Riding the Wave

The strong breezes and clouds made most of the second day surprisingly tolerable. Though I had a lazy morning pulling my heat-affected self off of the tarp I’d thrown down the night before, I was able to start hiking at 9:15 a.m. My sights were set on the next water source about 13.2 miles ahead. I wanted to take an extended break there out of the blazing sun and wind, and then continue to the cache at Highway 9 in the evening. 

I took breaks every few miles under whatever resembled shade to ease my aching legs. They panged as I struggled to jam out to my “beats” playlist full of pump-up songs. I was having a hard time getting my mind to quiet and wander so that the miles would come more easily. The pelting wind and sand wouldn’t seem to let me. 

Interesting rock formations and mesas began to peak their way out of the more uniform desert landscape full of greasewood, mesquite, ocotillo, and napoles. I could see the cow pond oasis I was impatient to get to for miles, and at times it felt like it would never get closer. Finally, I zig-zagged around the cow pies and hay and thudded myself down underneath a low-hanging tree I could tell others had slept under before. Scooping the cool water from down among the pond weeds lifted my spirits, and I felt a renewed sense of hope for the day. 

And just like that, the wind picked up suddenly and blew the cow pies and hay right into my eyes. A National Weather Service dust storm warning beeped on my phone, and I could see the dust storms in the distance worsening. Apparently, it’s quite a common thing in these parts, to the point where they often close the main highway because the lack of visibility is so dangerous. So, I decided to scratch the desert-oasis nap idea and head to the highway a few miles away to get into Hachita. Between the thought of not being able to sleep through the wind gusts that night and my sun-ravaged legs, it quickly became a necessary choice. 

Since all traffic had been rerouted to Highway 9 from the main interstate, I was able to get a ride within 5 minutes from a couple of friendly ladies from El Paso who were returning from receiving medical treatment. The Hachita market allows hikers and bikers to pay to stay at the community center in town for just $20, which has cots, a shower, and a kitchen. It was a welcome respite to listen to the howling wind and watch the dusty skies from inside of such a large, quiet building. A cool shower and some ice on my legs bolstered my decision. Tomorrow will be another day, to face more desert trials and trail miles.