Two peaks in one day!

Up second was Black Mesa of Oklahoma.

Black Mesa reaches an elevation of 5,705 feet in Oklahoma. The Mesa continues on for some ways and eventually gains nearly 1,000 feet in elevation somewhere in Colorado. It was about 80 degrees during my hike and there was (obviously) no snow, so it was pretty different from Mt. Elbert 24 hours before. The scenery was different but beautiful.

Once you climb for a short distance, you reach the top of the mesa. It is virtually to the summit over a distance of about a mile. At the summit, there is a monument that informs its audience of the proximity of other states in each direction (Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma). No problem finding the US Geological survey marker either. It was right there on the monument.

Interestingly, I ran into a group of 8 ladies/girls on the trail. On a Polaris Ranger (all terrain vehicle). They were from a town a few miles away and were having a girls weekend of some sort. I passed them on the way up and again on the way back. It appeared to me that they were stopping about every mile for a beer break. I told them they were doing it right and that I hadn’t been that prepared. They offered me a beer, which there was 0 percent change of me declining.

Its not local to Oklahoma, but it was given to me by Oklahomians. Good enough.

When I got back, I read on the back of the trailhead sign that the area is populated by the most poisonous rattlesnake in Oklahoma. Don’t worry Mom, I was watching for snakes and I didn’t see any. Apparently these are more active at night when the weather is hot.

I had dinner at Hotel Eklund in Clayton, NM. Eklund is a 100+ year old hotel set downtown. Clayton is yet another place I would never have come except for high pointing. The server recommended their burger with one of the chile sauces. I had the red one. Fantastic! They also had several local beers, so I tried the Sierra Blanca Alien Wheat, which was perfect for a warm day.

I have not decided on a plan for tomorrow yet. Carlsbad, NM is in reach… more likely I will end up at Wheeler Peak, NM or back in Colorado Springs. Until then…