Next location: westbound eastbound
A dozen miles south of Stonewall, Colorado, the county road parallels the north fork of the Vermejo River, syncopated by stock ponds to salvage water during months-long droughts. The road stops at a chained gate, even though the USGS map had assured an easy trip right to the border. We climb the fence and walk another mile south to two of Kidder’s monuments. Vermejo Park Ranch, an enormous private spread, sprawls along the southern side of the line.