SF2T- Day 6
10 miles and 5,412 ft of elevation gain today. Camped beside the Santa Barbara River last night. Up at 5:05 a.m. with a breeze and the temperature at 39° (windchill equals ~34°). We were packed and on the trail at 5:39 a.m. to hike to a more protected spot out of the wind. Walked a quarter mile then stopped for a trail breakfast in a more sheltered spot. Then we pushed on 2 miles to the Santa Barbara River campground and there forded the river. Thirty feet across and calf-deep, but ice cold.
Then we started a very long very steep climb. Following Indian Creek up over 4,000 feet to its origin in a bog near the top of Ripley’s Point. It took us about 5 hours to go 5.3 miles during the climb. It was pretty tough going, but we took it slow and steady with lots of rests and lots of snacks. In all we walked 10 miles and climbed 5,412 feet today, over a mile of elevation gain. We did have nice cool weather to do it in and water was available along most of the route.
After we got to the origin of the creek, we had to climb another 550 feet to the top of Ripley’s Point and then back down the other side to intersect a trail to a small pond known as Los Esteros about a mile from the top. This trail junction was anything but clear. It was obscured by hundreds of downed dead trees, some of which had been cut and piled, and others looked like they had been dragged there roots and all. Rather than climb in amongst all the dead trees, using the map, we estimated where our trail would be and then cross-country traveled until we encountered it.
We are camped at 11,200 ft on a small rise near the Los Esteros pond. Clear skies are predicted for tonight. Tomorrow we reach a road, and Cappuccino is leaving the trail, and I will continue on to Taos. But more on that tomorrow.
Who was this Santa Barbara! Babs certainly got around in the American Southwest! When you walk calf deep through the stream, your socks must get wet, yes? Of course. You then hike on in wet socks? We got caught in some large pools of water on the trail to Grand Falls in West Forks, Maine. Our socks got wet. Not really a big deal. That said we were not wading in calf-deep water. Great to see you two have the discipline during the steep climb to take many breaks and fuel up.
Yep, socks and shoes (trail runners) get soaked and we hike on. Unlike the old heavy hiking boots, trail runners have mesh tops and drain water quite well. The warmth of your moving feet dry out your socks in a couple hours in the dry climate of NM. The old wisdom of never hiking in wet footwear, really doesn’t apply to modern shoes. Unless you are in very humid conditions like the tropics where your feet stay wet all the time for days. Then you can get trench foot which is not good.
As to rest and fueling up on a long climb, I used to save snacks on a long climb as a reward when I got to the top. On the PCT I finally realized that was stupid. On a long car trip I wouldn’t wait until I got there to put fuel in the car. So why wouldn’t I do the same for myself. I started snacking at the start of a climb and as needed on the way up. As a result, climbs became easier and life got better.