Fallback. Doesn’t that mean an extra hour of sleep? Not when you’re hiking the CDT. The plan was to do our 17 plus miles and get to Doc Campbell Post before 3pm. That was all fine and dandy until we missed our turn!

Let’s first share all the good things that happened today. It rained all night but around 3am, it abruptly stopped. There was a slight breeze which helped dry our tents. We were packed, and on the trail early.

There was promise of one little climb, and a lot of down. Jen took the lead and we were walking through forest and some wet grasses. We arrived at an Old Cabin and Water Cistern. Jen was quite upset because the screen that covers the collection hole was uncovered.

What if an animal falls in? So of course, next action is to cover that hole up. Her pole was too short and so I tied the handles of my poles together. And we started pushing the screen back into position. Only problem was we cannot slide it far enough. Before I could say no, Jen was on top this flimsy metal cone and scooted the screen back where it rightfully belonged. All squirrels, chipmunks and mice are now safe!

The trail zig-zagged and before long, we were out of the forest and up on a bluff. The most marvelous view of Gila River and Canyon appeared. We headed over for a few photo ops and went back to “a” trail. This is where I made the most rookie mistake of all. Following the wrong trail down the very steep slope.

I had looked at the map in the morning and knew we were eventually going down to Doc’s but not by way of switchbacks. But instead of consulting FarOut or CalTopo, I followed my partner straight off the cliff. Nearly 1000’ down, we reached the Gila River. That’s when I realized the critical mistake we made. The Lower Route of Gila River is inaccessible due to the recent storms. The trail has literally been washed away. Unless I have a kayak or raft in my backpack, we can’t go this way. So, what did we do? Climbed back up 1000’ to the top. We added four extra credit and unneeded bonus miles to our day.

I was flat out mad that I didn’t even think for myself and never looked at the map! What a boneheaded thing I did. So now the chances of getting to Patsy’s Diner for some fine cuisine were dashed! But Jen saved the day. She put on her Super Woman Cape and flew done the trail. We still had over seven miles to go and less than three hours to get to the road. Save the day Jen. I’ll see you in town.

Ends up that there really isn’t a Diner in town. The Diner is a Roach Coach and has very limited operations. But there is the DocCampbell Post that has Ragu Sauce, Spaghetti and Pre-made Salads. Jen caught a ride in the back of a horse trailer in the pouring down rain. I neglected to add the fact that the Super El Niño has arrived with heavy winds and torrential rains. Minor detail.

Once Fearless Cape Wearer got our provisions for dinner, she searched for a driver to pick me up. I was on the final section of the road to Doc’s. I tried to get a lift with National Park Personnel. However they have a strict policy not to pick up and transport any persons, even if they are wet from head to toe and beginning stages of hypothermia. Unbelievable! I told him that I served as a CHP Officer and I picked up all sorts of people, homeless, vagrants, down on your luck kind of people. He once again, explained that it’s a Governmental Policy. State policy’s are different. No, you are misconstruing policy with common sense and compassionately . Well, I didn’t say that, but I sure did think it.

Fortunately for me, my friend Jen found a ride and picked me up about two miles short of Doc Campbells. There were twelve hikers that arrived at different times of the day, both today and yesterday. Everyone is licking their wounds and drying out. This has been one heck of a year for Sobo Hikers. I believe there may be an upcoming movie, the year CDT hikers were washed away! Never has there been this amount of rain! They’ve called it a Historic Rainfall in Glacier when they closed the park in June. Then Generational Storms that are once in a generation occurred in Northern New Mexico. And if that’s not enough, tornados that show up which haven’t been recorded in over fifty years in Grants and Santa Fe. Mass flooding, early snowfall, rain that has been prayed for, and now has arrived. Well, on the bright side, I have less than 250 miles to go. I’m sure the next few weeks will be nothing more than what I have already experienced. But then, don’t tempt Mother Nature! She seems to have the final word. At least in 2026.

This is my “Life Verse” and feel it is appropriate for this time and place.

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬