Day 15: Golina Canyon to a half mile beyond the Mangas Peak Lookout, ~26 miles, ~291 miles total
New Mexico is in a severe drought and it’s been a very dry spring, say the locals. Water sources along the trail are something a hiker relies on, but can’t depend on.
For instance, last night found us camping in Golina Canyon just around the bend from naturally flowing (trickling) water. Far better than the 4 liters of water (~8 pounds) we’d each carried from Dutchman Tank for 12+ miles. So it goes. We dumped our yellow-tinged water last night and filled up on clear, cleaner looking water.
Yesterday there were a number of water sources that were reportedly bad or dry but looked good to us. A typical water description on the map reads:
“Fenced spring on the hill. Reported to have 3 dead squirrels in bottom of tank in 2010. 3 squirrel skeletons in 2011, and a dead bear in 2012… also dry in fall 2012.”
This water source (Davis Spring) actually had a new trough and looked good. No sign of dead squirrels or bear.
Other water sources noted as reliable, we end up finding dry or not much more than algae and cattle dung.
So far, Gabriel and I have done pretty well at water roulette. Today, we won thanks to Dave the lookout on Mangas Peak. He gave us some of his personal water (it’s hauled up to th 9700 foot elevation lookout).
That made all the difference for us to be safe and comfortable for 15 more miles. But then, we aren’t big gamblers and carry more water weight than we like (but might need). Thank you Dave! For the sunset tour and the water!
Some of our fellow hikers found themselves nearly bone dry today and either filtered very scuzzy questionable water or we able to get help from people in cars passing by.
We are all grateful for the kindness of these people who help hikers with this most basic of needs.
A good tank along the CDT. Tanks are not your typical container, instead they are often dirt barriers to water flow.
The flowing steam in Golina Canyon where we got less cow affected water.
Windmills like this one often promise clear, cleaner groundwater.
If you are fortunate to hike with a tall person or engineer, you can access water directly from a windmill pipe and not the green waters of a tank.
Sometimes water even falls from the sky. We got a few snowflakes this afternoon but not any measurable precip.
Many thanks to Dave the Mangas Peak fire lookout for the tour of the lookout, prizes, and the water!
It was getting a little late when we stopped at the lookout. Usually we are camped as the sun sets.
Other CDT images that evoke the day:
Voyageur and Brother Bear at the CDT gate.
Marmot and Mukmuk at the first really big CDT sign.
Gorgeous grasslands are interspersed amid the Ponderosa forests.
Where there could be water there are most definitely cattle. I have a favorite song I sing by Corb Lund, "May you always have cows around."
Mangas Peak, 9700 feet and there are trees everywhere! Camping close by at about 9500 feet elevation means it'll be a chilly night.
marmot's adventures 
Oh, great memories of that windmill where the tall/engineer type comes in handy!