28-Nov-2008 -- Starting my journey in Albuquerque, I headed south on I-25 to US-60 east. From the town of Willard, south on Hwy 42 until the town of Corona where I got on US-54 south for a half mile or so. There I got on Hwy 247 / 42 and went east for 31.7 miles before turning right onto a dirt road named county road F015 for 10.8 miles. I parked my car at 34N latitude and began my hike toward the CP, 6.31 miles away at a heading of 90 degrees east. There are some “roads” off the county road you could take that would get you much closer to the CP if you wanted to, but I just like to make a good hike out of CP hunting.

The terrain is open rangeland that has rolling hills which is mostly BLM (Bureau of Land Management) meaning most of it is public land. The ground is easy to walk over but a good pair of hiking boots is recommended because the ground has many fist size stones as well as ground level cactus that have thorns which are stiff enough to go through the tops of a fabric shoe as you bring it forward toward your next step.

It took 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach the CP which is currently occupied by a lone cactus. The wind was fairly strong which is normal as there is nothing to stop it. The only relief I got was on the lee side of the hilltops. I had to cross over 2 fences but other than that, my hiking was unimpeded. Like all other CP’s that I’ve visited, the location itself was unremarkable and indifferent. As all CP hunters know, getting there is the real adventure. I took the necessary photos, relaxed for 10 minutes or so and listened to the wind before I headed back the very way that I came. The hike back took a bit longer because I stopped more often to admire the infinite views. The total hike took 6 hours to cover 13.5 miles with a change of 4845 feet of elevation. Like I said, I went up and down plenty of rolling hills.

The first visitors to this CP mentioned that the area was “rural”. I’m originally from the east coast and I can assure you, easterners cannot appreciate the meaning of that word. This area is an immense and boundless expanse of natural setting. On my way back to the car I stopped on several hilltops and admired and was in awe of the vastness of the rangeland. It went on as far as the eye could see. There are very few houses with a good many not occupied. It’s a sight that I’ve seen at other CP’s in the southwest. It’s a sight that I will never tire of. The splendor of the southwest is distinct because of limited human encroachment.

Wildlife seen… Jackrabbits and Mule deer. The Jackrabbits wait until you’re on top of them before they bolt. The Mule deer see you long before you see them. They will go to the next hilltop and observe your direction of travel.