Tuesday, the day you two posted these, I walked from Iglesia de Santiago to Plaza de Castilla & bus to Tres Cantos. Next day I followed
@Anniesantiago 's wonderfully detailed directions out of TC - then followed all the yellow arrows to this arroyo crossing - see my attached photo. I don't consider myself a risk-taker, but with poles and some confidence that the Camino would assist, started across. 3/4 of the way, the left pole and left foot slipped, and I went totally under water! Guess the Camino WAS, in fact, assisting me - I managed to get out of the river. I was just looking at
@Duke 's FaceBook page and found his photo of the same spot just a few days earlier with stepping stones high enough out of the water to make it quite easy to get across. Guess there had been a lot of rain in those few days. Several locals said it was also snow melt. I continued walking towards Colmenar Viejo but came to another "ford", and immediately decided "no, I cannot do this again". I had just called 112 when I looked up and saw a bicyclist walking across the arroyo just above the stepping stones I had used. He helped me get back across the river, and back up the hill towards Tres Cantos. That's a dangerous spot that might warrant a sign in an appropriate spot - shortly out of TC, for example. But with so few people walking the Madrid - who knows... But I'm ok! So many gratitudes! It could have been way worse! Alas, the next morning I slipped while taking a shower-hit my back on the rim of the tub - no broken bones! Am now in Madrid for a few days. Will return to the Frances, forego the Madrid, and decide next steps in the next couple of days! On the Frances, I know where the rivers and sturdy bridges are, and albergues don't have bathtubs!!
Buen Camino !
Terry - - I may be an old lady, but I'm a very sure-footed old lady! These are the only falls I've experienced on several Caminos!