The Mogollon Rim

April 29, 2023 Day 29

Mile 483.2-508.3 (25.1 miles)

Our campsite last night was perfect, we were in a little copse of trees and it was chilly enough that we stayed tucked in and cuddled close in the quilt all night. Leaving camp the miles seem to creep by slowly until we finally got up on the Mogollon Rim. This is the section Henry has said I would love this whole time and I’m excited to finally be here.

We had to manuever around quite a few patches of snow but conditions were nothing like the sign at the trailhead warned of, although I know there were feet of snow in the previous weeks. We crossed over a creek repeatedly and I was torn between just wading through and getting my trail runners soaked or taking the time to take them off each time to wade through barefoot.

We took minimal breaks until a nice spot beside the creek at its widest where I plunged my body in the freezing water and sat happily in the warm wind in the shade to dry.

Another break later in the day at a campground that hadn’t opened yet for the season. We dumped our trash, used the bathrooms and filled up on water. The miles moved by quickly as I listened to more of my audiobook. Spotted an elk skeleton on the side of the trail and later at sunset, an entire herd of elk running through the trees at a distance, golden light reflecting off of their coats.

The sun filtering through the trees is what I’ve been missing. The sound of the frogs chirping here at camp are what I’ve been missing. Every night in the desert was deadly quiet. I’ve missed the sounds of the forest.