I have read of NB hikers about 2 years ago who got about 1 mile up on Mesa Portales and the cairns stopped at a gate. However, Jim Wolf’s route description– produced at about the same time frame – goes on up to NM 197. Can anyone tell me if that route is completely marked now with cairns or posts all the way to NM 197? Have SB hikers coming out of Cuba found cairns all the way across Mesa Portales? Thanks, Dr Bob
Dr Bob
I was in the Cuba area over the holidays and we went south of town to walk a little ways on the CDT. The road/trail south from NM 197 is still well marked with cedar posts with a painted white tip on them and the CDT marker burned into the wood. We didn’t walk all the way to Mesa Portales, but I do remember in 2007 the trail/road being well marked and easy to follow for quite a ways south, well beyond the town of San Luis. Of course, we were northbound at the time, so things might be different from a southbound perspective. This is certainly one of the best sections of the CDT in NM. Hope that helps.
maddog
Thanks, for your response, Maddog. My question was generated before getting Jonathan’s newest maps. He has a new note on the just-received 2009 maps about those white tipped posts that you mention. Looks like it will be easy sailing (famous last words!) 
Thanks, Dr Bob
Dr Bob