WINSTON NM

Trail miles from west terminus: 465 via Hwy 59 & 52 / 494 via Hwy 52
Distance from GET: 24 miles SE / 18.5 miles S

Winston is a near ghost of a former silver mining boomtown, located in the shadow of the remote Black Range of the Gila National Forest. The town can be difficult to reach from any direction, and you won't find much once you get here. However it's a link to the outside world in this lonely corner of New Mexico, and a possible resupply point for hikers who would prefer a sketchy hitchhike (via Hwy 59 or Hwy 52) to the off-trail hiking often required to reach Monticello (see next entry).

From the GET / CDT crossing of NM Hwy 59 in the Black Range, Winston is a ~24 mile hitchhike via paved roads which receive only light vehicle use. Hwy 59 in particular is very lightly travelled, most often by hunters or USFS personnel. Because of the difficulty of hitchhiking from this remote spot and the lack of good options if stuck here with an empty food bag, the following hitchhiking location is likely preferable.

From the GET crossing of dirt, 2WD NM Hwy 52 near Dusty (scattered ranches/residences in an emergency, but no services), Winston is an 18.5 mile hitchhike south. Traffic is very light, though ranchers in the area do head into Winston to pick up mail. Hwy 52 is paved south of its junction with Hwy 59. Chloride, located 2-3 miles beyond Winston, is a refurbished, museum-like ghost town that may offer a rental cabin but no restaurant option at this time.

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