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BLM Designated CDT Route
in Southern New Mexico
Crazy Cook Monument to NM SR 81
Additional bootheel information (March 2008) :
We drove through the Hachita/Lordsburg area in mid-March 2008 and found that the trail had been at least partially relocated. The CDT now crosses Rte 81 several miles south of the crossing indicated on the map below. The trail probably diverges from the indicated route at either the windmill (water source 5) or the tire (water source 6). We did NOT hike the trail to confirm the specific point of divergence. In either case, the next on-trail water source would be at least 17 miles north of the windmill (water source 5).
The relocated CDT is a cross-country route from Rt 81 to the intersection with Granite Pass Road, which is at the same point as that indicated on the NM SR81 to NM SR9 map.
In an emergency, there is a windmill about 3 miles north of the Rt 81 crossing on the east side of the road, just south of the Granite Pass Road intersection. The windmill is behind a locked gate. To get back to the trail from this windmill, one could take the Granite Pass Road. Except for the Rt 81/Granite Pass Road intersection, the old CDT signs are still in place on Granite Pass Road.
The maps will NOT be updated at this time because we're on the road and don't have that capability available right now. We will update the maps at a later date.
Bottom line: Follow the signs and plan for long waterless sections.
This is the first of the maps for the Designated route of the CDT (Continental Divide Trail) between the Crazy Cook Monument on the Mexican border and Silver City, New Mexico. The route indicated here was the route we walked in 2006. With one large exception, the route is the same as described in Segment 1 of the Westcliffe CDT Trail Guide. The exception is that the trail no longer goes over the ridge between Sheridan Canyon and Thompson Canyon. Rather it returns to the desert floor and follows the road north along the Big Hatchet Range past Thompson Canyon.
The Crazy Cook map covers the trail between Crazy Cook Monument and New Mexico SR (State Road) 81 - about 28 miles. In April 2006, the trail was marked for this entire section by 8"x8" white metal signs with the CDT logo. (See the picture on the previous page).
If you find the marking to be different, please let us know so we can so inform those hikers who follow you.
On the "Crazy Cook Monument" map: The yellow line is the CDT. The "pink" line is the driving route from NM SR 81 to the southern terminus of the CDT at the Crazy Cook Monument. As with all the pictures, if you want the "full-size" view, click on it.
Water sources are marked by a blue dot, with an identifying tag to the northeast of the location for each blue dot.
There are a number of potential water sources on this section of the trail. The windmill at Sheridan Canyon is NOT - repeat NOT - "on-trail" nor is it visible from the trail. It's up Sheridan Canyon about 1/4 mile. Follow the cow trails. The side trail to the windmill is marked by a small cairn. Most other water sources are visible from the trail.
The Thompson Canyon windmill is not presently in operation. In fact, the stone cistern at the windmill appeared to be broken.
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Created: Wed, 3 Jan 2007
Revised:Copyright © 2007 Spirit Eagle
