May 11, 2025
‘Red line’ mile marker 0.0 to 16.4
Hiked today: 16.4 miles / 26.4 km
Hiked so far: 16.4 miles / 26.4 km (approx: 0.5%)

The alarm went off at 5 this morning and we hurriedly dressed, finalised our packing and headed off in the grey predawn light. One mile from our motel, we rendezvoused with 2 other hikers and our shuttle driver, Clive. We are starting the hike with Russell, a local from New Mexico, and ‘Young Fabio’ from Sweden.

The drive from town to the starting point took 3 hours during which we listened to interesting chat and useful information for this first section of trail. The shuttle pulled over close to the US-Mexico border which was clearly visible from a long distance due to the lush farmland on the far side of the fence contrasting with the grey brown of the New Mexico desert floor.

Before heading us off to the starting monument, Clive showed us a rock engraved with the story of how, in 1805, a group of men were camped here, and someone complained about the food. The cook took great offence and killed the complainer with a hatchet! Clive supposed that was how the nearby mountain ranges (the Big Hatchets and the Small Hatchets) got their names.

After the obligatory photos at the monument, we all headed off along the trail. Although we had seen antelope, coyotes and a rabbit from the shuttle,  the only wildlife we spotted on the trail were some lizards, a rabbit and some cactus wrens.

The trail was nice and flat, but we found it a hot slog in 30deg+ temperatures. By early afternoon, we were ready for a siesta and managed to catch a short sleep despite the rocky ground we were lying on.

It was starting to cool down as we set off again and we got to the water cache at 6.30. We joined Russell and 2 other hikers for dinner but decided to move a bit further down the trail before setting up our tent.