52: Cruses Basin

WhenSeptember 10, 2025
Distance52.3 mi
Time11h 21m
Elevation Gain5689 ft
Elevation Loss6493 ft
Avg Speed5.8 mph

Download GPX

52: Cruses Basin

Since that shadeless, cloudless, 100°F day in the Great Basin, I’ve only had two days without rain. No snow, and no wildfire smoke, but definitely an unusual amount of rain, with more in the forecast. I’ve been so grateful that I brought a real tent, not just a tarp on this trip.

Today was spent cruising along on pleasant if unremarkable singletrack. The trail clearly gets used more by cows than humans around here, but it’s mostly modern and ridable (if in need of a little chainsaw love).

Ran into a group of four retirees who are doing a supported four day bikepack from Cumbres Pass to Abiquiu. I was glad to meet them—aside from a few bikepackers who I saw on the Colorado Trail, they’re the first who I’ve met actually bikepacking on the CDT.

Listening to: The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante

View on Strava