Hermits Peak - Pecos Wilderness

10/17/14

 What a hike! I left the El Porvenir campground here in the Santa Fe National Forest at about 9:30 a.m. The trailhead is here in the park and well marked. No wandering about looking for where to start. The climb was none too steep to start. There has been a lot of tree thinning in the first 1/2 mile and most of the trees are just down on the ground. The trail followed a streambed into a rocky moderate climb and as I left the thinning area, the mix of pines and aspen became dense. After the better part of a mile, the trail started a series of switchbacks, very rocky and fairly steep. I could see the 100 foot rock faces ahead, and figured the trail followed a route between them. The pines started decrease in size from 100 down to 50 and eventually to just 10 or 15 feet tall. The last 1/2 mile was more level as the top of mountain became more of a meadow with a sprinkling of gnarly and twisted pines. The top was spread over at least an acre and the view was spectacular. I could see out into the plains and the easternmost part of Las Vegas. (See YouTube video link below). Just miles and miles of prairie faded off into the distance. The view north was limited, but you could tell the elevation changed in that direction back from where I had been already. Angel Fire and Eagles Nest were both some 50 miles north. The hike was pretty tough for me. The view was rejuvenating, and the sandwich and snacks helped my energy level, but coming back down, my knees were starting to complain. Using the hiking poles are very helpful, and if I keep the mental aspect of the hike in order, I just focus on the arms and legs, and ignore most of the thinking that my mind is telling me about my age and energy level. Just arms and legs, let them do the work and let the mind rest a bit. That worked best. When I came back to the trailhead, I was thoroughly exhausted. I let the cat out and lay on the bed for half an hour before starting dinner. It will be an early night to bed.
Link to a short video of me on top of Hermit's Peak...
http://youtu.be/g_e6fKiMVO4