I headed out for a 3 day hike to get to the kickoff event in Silver City.
I got to first big sign crossing the ranch land north of Lordsburg, but unlike my prior hike over Thanksgiving I didn’t see the other signs. Time to hone my map and compass skills. I triangulated off what I thought were the peaks on either side of Engineer Canyon. These turned out to be the wrong peaks, making me think I am south of the trail while I am in fact well north, going to the wrong canyon. I finally noticed it was wrong when I got close to it and saw all the power lines going through this canyon. I guessed that the next canyon south was the right one, and I bushwacked to get to there. When after some more tedious climb I happened to glance to my right and see the rusted water tank above me that confirmed I was in Engineer Canyon. I stopped to get water from the tank, but unlike my Thanksgiving hike it was completely empty.
I continued into the mountains to the engineer canyon windmill. There was lots of lots of good water poring out, and I filled up.
A bit further up into the mountains I stopped at the co-op windmill. I had dinner and there was a faucet under the windmill with lots of good water
I ended up setting up camp next to an old broken down cow stall. Setting up my new tent in a strong wind was fun.