Crest Trail (T25) (NM)

[dolomiti]

I am planning an unsupported attempt on South (Monjeau Peak) to North (Nogal Peak) on the Crest Trail (T25) in the White Mountain Wilderness from (near) Ruidoso, New Mexico to (near) Nogal, New Mexico.  The only speed time I could find is "Big Blister" on Every Trail.  Their hike was listed as 10 hours.

I am unable to find accurate distance or elevation information for the trail in either direction.  It seems like the South to North Route might be the easier in terms of elevation gain (3,200 feet vs. 4,500 feet) and distances range from 20 (USFS) to 22-23 miles (websites).  Hopefully, I can relay accurate distance information after my attempt to establish an FKT.

I plan to start tomorrow morning around 6am MST.  I will carry a SPOT and can be followed here.  I will also have a Garmin and Gaia GPS on my phone and will upload as much information as I can when I complete.

-Clinton B. Portis

[dolomiti]

Finished. It ended up being an unsupported FKT as I did not even stop for water. Was also a slog-fest. Most of the trail was nearly impossible to follow as it was covered in either waist high grass, nettle, thorn bushes, or some combination thereof. I've found that most New Mexican trails are not marked with blazes, and this was no exception. I literally had to feel the trail by my foot as I could not see it through the over growth. As a result, time was pretty darn slow. Did get a feeling of actually navigating, rather than a jog in the woods.

Final time was 7:51:46 over 21.70 miles (unsupported) - Strava link below (does not count stopped time).

Strava Link



Trail is in the middle of the picture