Bushwhacked
I am still hiking cursed. Yes, we made it to the springs this time. However, a head-slappingly stupid move caused us to hike the thing twice for a total of eight miles.
We set out around 11am this morning for Jemez Falls campground, the other spot from which the McCauley hot springs are accessible. First of all: thumbs up for a trail that actually goes somewhere. Again, no trail markers beyond the trailhead, but the path was very clear with few spurs. Our initial trip was easy-- it was mostly downhill save the final 1/4 mile ascent to the springs.
The springs were lovely save a few Very Large Spiders. I'd estimate about 5" in diameter. We tried not to get too close to the rocks. But the three little pools formed by the spring were delightfully warm, so we hopped in and were eagerly nibbled upon by tetras and minnows. Tickled a bit. There was one other family there with three young boys being rowdy as young boys are wont to do, but it was fine. After about an hour and a half and a few raindrops, we got out. I was in total shock getting out of the pool-- the air had cooled at least 10 degrees as the front moved through, and I started to shiver badly. I was eager to get in my clothes as quickly as possible and start moving to raise my body temperature, so we did. The hike back was moderately strenuous owing to a consistent uphill grade that was generally gradual, but in a few places very steep and rocky. We were wiped when we reached the top of the ridge, and then the parking lot about a third of a mile later.
It wasn't until I caught a glimpse of myself in the SUV's window that I realized I wasn't wearing my necklace. My big agate and brass cross that I wear all the time, which, despite its $10 pricetag, is probably my favorite piece of jewelry I've ever bought for myself. We'd both been so cold when we got out of the pool that I'd left it lying on a nearby rock. A quick decision was made, and we sprinted the two miles back to the springs, taking great care not to a) fall and die or b) fall and twist an ankle. Because of the difficult passages, even running down the mountain side took us a half hour. When we got there, it was blessedly still where I'd left it.
Then began the final, grueling ascent back to the top. Another two miles, all uphill, and at well over a mile above sea level. We took our time and rationed our remaining water and made it to the top at around 5:30. Exhausted doesn't even begin to cover it. For the last mile of crazy rocks, the only thing that kept me putting one foot in front of the other was "you're building muscle tone, you're building muscle tone." Five minutes after I pulled myself into the car, I was asleep. Of course, that was because my blood sugar had completely crashed. I'd had a heavy workout and the only thing in my belly for going on seven hours was six gummy worms and a few liters of water. J had brought cheetos and more sugar to keep him going, but I hadn't wanted to break into his stash in case he needed it. By the time we reached a little saloon in a nearby town, my legs were trembling.
It took a cheeseburger to bring me back to life, but it worked. I eagerly downed it with a Coke, which I rarely drink these days, and then followed it up with another big glass of water. The saloon was something to see, too... at least 15 dead animals decorated the walls, a very old jukebox that played spaghetti western era ballads, and a real wagon wheel used as a chandelier with a noose hanging from it. Classy joint. But the burger was good, cooked medium rare to order, and I was grateful.
We stopped on the way home at a fairgrounds along the road that was having a Native American dance contest-- the Star Feather Hemish Nation Contest and PowWow. The amazing feathered costumes on the dancers were so colorful that they'd have put Kajira to shame. I would have taken pictures, but I didn't see anyone else with a camera and considering we were two of maybe five white people I saw at the event, I didn't want to be the ignorant white girl in case cameras were not welcomed. My general thought is that if you don't know if it's okay, don't do it until you know. My only regret is that I am not very familiar with their traditional dances-- the dancing was certainly beautiful, but as it was a contest, I had absolutely no idea what to look for.
Now, a delicious shower a deux behind me, I am melting into the bed. Jason delivered me another glass of water with a firm command to drink-- he knows I can't stand super cold water (the only kind that comes from our filtered water spigot), so he'd nuked it to make it room temperature. :) The boy, he is so wonderful.
Now, I do some customer service while lying back. I am going to feeeeeeel today's strain on my bike trip to the PO tomorrow morning. I didn't take many pictures, but if I have any good ones, I'll post 'em then.
We set out around 11am this morning for Jemez Falls campground, the other spot from which the McCauley hot springs are accessible. First of all: thumbs up for a trail that actually goes somewhere. Again, no trail markers beyond the trailhead, but the path was very clear with few spurs. Our initial trip was easy-- it was mostly downhill save the final 1/4 mile ascent to the springs.
The springs were lovely save a few Very Large Spiders. I'd estimate about 5" in diameter. We tried not to get too close to the rocks. But the three little pools formed by the spring were delightfully warm, so we hopped in and were eagerly nibbled upon by tetras and minnows. Tickled a bit. There was one other family there with three young boys being rowdy as young boys are wont to do, but it was fine. After about an hour and a half and a few raindrops, we got out. I was in total shock getting out of the pool-- the air had cooled at least 10 degrees as the front moved through, and I started to shiver badly. I was eager to get in my clothes as quickly as possible and start moving to raise my body temperature, so we did. The hike back was moderately strenuous owing to a consistent uphill grade that was generally gradual, but in a few places very steep and rocky. We were wiped when we reached the top of the ridge, and then the parking lot about a third of a mile later.
It wasn't until I caught a glimpse of myself in the SUV's window that I realized I wasn't wearing my necklace. My big agate and brass cross that I wear all the time, which, despite its $10 pricetag, is probably my favorite piece of jewelry I've ever bought for myself. We'd both been so cold when we got out of the pool that I'd left it lying on a nearby rock. A quick decision was made, and we sprinted the two miles back to the springs, taking great care not to a) fall and die or b) fall and twist an ankle. Because of the difficult passages, even running down the mountain side took us a half hour. When we got there, it was blessedly still where I'd left it.
Then began the final, grueling ascent back to the top. Another two miles, all uphill, and at well over a mile above sea level. We took our time and rationed our remaining water and made it to the top at around 5:30. Exhausted doesn't even begin to cover it. For the last mile of crazy rocks, the only thing that kept me putting one foot in front of the other was "you're building muscle tone, you're building muscle tone." Five minutes after I pulled myself into the car, I was asleep. Of course, that was because my blood sugar had completely crashed. I'd had a heavy workout and the only thing in my belly for going on seven hours was six gummy worms and a few liters of water. J had brought cheetos and more sugar to keep him going, but I hadn't wanted to break into his stash in case he needed it. By the time we reached a little saloon in a nearby town, my legs were trembling.
It took a cheeseburger to bring me back to life, but it worked. I eagerly downed it with a Coke, which I rarely drink these days, and then followed it up with another big glass of water. The saloon was something to see, too... at least 15 dead animals decorated the walls, a very old jukebox that played spaghetti western era ballads, and a real wagon wheel used as a chandelier with a noose hanging from it. Classy joint. But the burger was good, cooked medium rare to order, and I was grateful.
We stopped on the way home at a fairgrounds along the road that was having a Native American dance contest-- the Star Feather Hemish Nation Contest and PowWow. The amazing feathered costumes on the dancers were so colorful that they'd have put Kajira to shame. I would have taken pictures, but I didn't see anyone else with a camera and considering we were two of maybe five white people I saw at the event, I didn't want to be the ignorant white girl in case cameras were not welcomed. My general thought is that if you don't know if it's okay, don't do it until you know. My only regret is that I am not very familiar with their traditional dances-- the dancing was certainly beautiful, but as it was a contest, I had absolutely no idea what to look for.
Now, a delicious shower a deux behind me, I am melting into the bed. Jason delivered me another glass of water with a firm command to drink-- he knows I can't stand super cold water (the only kind that comes from our filtered water spigot), so he'd nuked it to make it room temperature. :) The boy, he is so wonderful.
Now, I do some customer service while lying back. I am going to feeeeeeel today's strain on my bike trip to the PO tomorrow morning. I didn't take many pictures, but if I have any good ones, I'll post 'em then.