June 7, 2025
‘Red line’ mile marker 613.3 to 628.0
Hiked today: 14.7 miles / 23.7 km

Well, we had less than 15 miles to get to the town of Cuba, but we were aware that another significant climb was involved. We were up early again and started off on the track that was initially along a flat path but headed towards another mesa (Mesa Portales) with an impressive sandstone wall.

Knowing that in the last 2 days the track had taken us up and over every such cliff, we were not surprised that we were set to climb this one as well. It was a stiff scramble,  with sections that showed damage from recent rains. Some of the rocks that should have been good to step on had worked loose, and the sandy path was crumbly, but the views from the top were a good reward.

The track then wound along the edge of the cliff for a mile or more, and we stopped to eat our breakfast biscuits overlooking the plains below us.

On then, the route was a gentle descent, eventually leading us to the road to the small town of Cuba where we will spend tonight.

When we were researching available accommodation, all of the options had very unfavourable reviews, including comments about bedbugs and dirt. Rob managed to find an option to stay in a large campervan that has all amenities, including a good kitchen, washing machine, and dryer. When we couldn’t get the washing machine to work, our kind host did our washing in her own machine.

Although we bought lunch when heading through town this morning at the Cuba Cafe,  dinner and brekkie are microwave meals prepared in our kitchen. Tomorrow, we expect to be ascending about 1000m, so it will be a big day. Hopefully, we’ll sleep well tonight.