Icy Creek

Thursday, January 23rd, 2025: Hikes, Mineral, Mogollon Mountains, Southwest New Mexico.

First hike since October. Knee still hurting, worse than ever. Hoping to get a shot in about a month. Meanwhile planning to hike through it, trying various hacks.

Back in my mountains after 7 weeks in purgatory, praise the lord. Missing my mom, this one’s for her. Emotionally numb, in denial. Lonely.

Headed north to revisit a spectacular canyon, 500 feet lower than home. Temps hovering around freezing, clear sky, a dusting of snow on north slopes above 8,000 feet. Unusual number of small hawks swooping along the road.

Creek lined with lovely, thick ice from recent temps in teens. Much more water than I expected, runoff from sun on snow and ice higher up. Fall color lingering on fallen sycamore leaves. Magical place.

Tricky creek crossings on icy rocks between frigid pools a foot deep. Trying out trekking poles in hopes they’ll help my knee – they help in creek crossings but are awkward on this rocky trail and useless and in the way in many places.

Much earlier than expected, after maybe a half mile, I reach a crossing I can’t do without getting my feet and legs soaked.