Hiking Directions  for Black Mesa

    The following directions are from Charlie and Diane Winger's guide book Highpoint Adventures.

    From the parking lot, climb the stile over the wire fence.  As you proceed West from the trailhead, you will notice four foot high posts with green steel arrows and red letters.  Follow these signs on the lower part of the trail.  The trail is well-traveled, and remains on the North side of the mesa.

    The eighth arrow sign will point uphill to the mesa.  Follow the trail as it switchbacks its way to the top of the mesa.  Follow the trail for another 25 minutes or so, until you see am eight foot high monument.  This is the highpoint.  There is a USGS marker at the base of the monument.  The New Mexico border is 1299 feet due West of the monument.  There are some beautiful views off the south side of the mesa near the New Mexico border.

Approximate round trip hiking time:  3 to 5 hours

Approximate round trip distance:    8.4 miles

Approximate elevation gain:    650 feet