City of Rocks State Park in Faywood, New Mexico - Wednesday, April 12, 2023

"I Wanna Rock," by Twisted Sister, "Rock & Roll All Nite," by Kiss,  and "Stairway to Heaven's" lyrics, "I want to rock but not to roll," all came to mind as we traversed the Planet Walk Trail through the City of Rocks State Park in New Mexico. But I'm getting way ahead of our day, starting not quite at rock bottom, but close to it. This rock is "tuff" stuff!

Enough wordplay, let's get to our glorious day hiking at City of Rocks State Park. We left our hotel in West El Paso, Texas, at 7:45 am. A few supplies were needed at Walmart which was directly across the street. When we finished shopping and putting ice in the cooler, we took I-10 West to New Mexico.

New Mexico is called the "Land of Enchantment." Today added to my own enchantment with the state. Also, today is our first walk of The Silver City Round-up walking weekend. The Sun Country Striders Volksmarch Club has set up five seasonal walks/hikes for us, and there are five year-round events (YREs) as well.

Our brochure for the weekend.

On our way to the state park, we stopped in Deming, New Mexico, for gas and for breakfast. At our hotel this morning, they did not have the complimentary breakfast at 6 am. Apparently, the person who had the only key to the kitchen area had it at home. They weren't going to have breakfast ready until 8 am. Bad start to the day. The price of breakfast was included in the price of our room.

In Deming, we tried Wendy's for breakfast. We never knew Wendy's had breakfast. Both of us ordered the Egg, Cheese, and Bacon Biscuit (480 calories as an a la carte item). It was good and I have to tell you that this is my new go-to fast food breakfast. When we hiked, I had loads of energy. Wow.

When we arrived at City of Rocks State Park, we filled out the paperwork for a day pass ($5 for the vehicle and all the people in it).

The obligatory photo stop.

City of Rocks State Park Visitor Center, 
Faywood, New Mexico.

The Visitor Center was our next stop where we signed their guest book and read the history of how the park was formed. An informational flyer gave us these facts:

"Formed of volcanic ash 30 million years ago and sculpted by wind and water into rows of monolithic blocks, City of Rocks State Park takes its  name from these incredible rock formations. Cactus gardens and hiking trails add to this unique destination.

"The rock formations in this park are so unique that they are only known to exist in six other places in the world. Imaginative visitors may see the rock formations as a small city, complete with houses, chimneys, courtyards, and streets."

How it all began: the "Kneeling Nun" eruption.

The earth was all hot and bothered.

Then came the cool-down phase.

We headed out the door to start hiking. [NOTE: Hiking boots and hiking poles are very helpful on these trails. Also, bring plenty of water!] There are four Volksmarch length options: 5 km, 7 km, 10 km, or 12 km. Susan and I chose to do the easy 7 km combination and left out the more strenuous 5 km hike to the top of Table Mountain. We walked out the Visitor Center door, turned right, and turned right again to start on the Hydra Trail. 

The trails are well-marked with large granite slabs. Each slab had information about the next part of the trail and distances, restroom locations (always appreciated!), and at least one "Fun Fact" about the state of New Mexico. I saw wildflowers on this walk that I have never seen anywhere else.

Excellent, informative trail markers (some of the
best we've seen).

Bulbous Spring Parsley (Cymopterus bulbosus).

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We took Hydra Trail to a T-junction and turned right on the Observation Point Trail. The trail to the top of the hill was moderate, not steep at all. Along the way, we saw wildflowers in bloom, and good views all around the park. 

Susan Medlin on the trail to Observation Point.

Table Mountain.

Mesa Pepperweed (Lepidium alyssoides)

Tufted Evening Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa).

View of rocks from the Observation Point Trail.

View of rocks from the Observation Point Trail.

Lithospermum incisum (Fringed Gromwell, Plains
Stoneseed, Fringed Puccoon).

At the Observation point, there were signs identifying the mountains to the north and to the south. 

Susan Medlin checks out the mountains
to the north of City of Rocks State Park.

Fun facts: The state amphibian is the NM Spadefoot Toad.
 The state reptile is the NM Whiptail Lizard.

Back down the hill we went. Multiple animal holes lined the trail. In the Visitor Center, we had overheard the ranger tell another visitor that the holes were likely the burrows of ground squirrels or pack rats. We guessed that the mammals come out at night when it's cooler. None were in view today.

At the next intersection, we went straight on the Hydra Trail, and then looped around to the left toward the Pegasus Campground on the Site 16 Spur Trail. This trail was mostly flat and went through grasses and low shrubs.

Looking across the landscape, you can't tell 
there's a trail here (but there is).

Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua).

The trail by Campsite 16.

The directions weren't very clear about where to go next. When you exit the Site 16 Spur Trail onto a road, turn right on the road to go around the loop to the restroom. Turn right at the restroom to pick up the trail through the rock formations. This is the Planet Walk that is shown on the map. There is no name at the trailhead. The trail is pretty obvious as it stays close to the highest point through the rocks, centrally located between the two park roads. In some parts, the trail is lined with small rocks. 

We enjoyed exploring the nooks and crannies, passageways, and hideouts. It's hard to get lost because no matter which way you come out of the rocks, you will find a road in the campground.

Campsites are interspersed throughout the rocks.

The next few photos are of Susan and I enjoying the scenery and wandering around. 

Campsites are nestled in the rocks.

Susan Medlin is ahead of me on the trail.

It's interesting to think about how this rock got here.

Views for miles!

Something different around every corner.

Susan Medlin.

And me...we liked this spot for photos.

Here you can see rocks that line the trail.
Is Susan Medlin between a rock and a hard place?

Balanced "Pac-Man" rock. I don't think I'd
want to be camping under it!

There were a number of campsites in this area.

When we were almost back, we passed the ten RV electrical and water hookup campsites.

Ten RV sites with hookups.

The trail on which we finished is called the Planet Walk. Just beyond the back of the Visitor Center is a series of plaques with information on the solar system and our planets.

This sign says it's the Solar System Trail.

Wind power at the park.

Part of the "Solar System Trail" or Planet Walk.

A mural on the outside of the Visitor Center.

After the walk, we continued our drive to the event hotel in Silver City. Just a short distance from City of Rocks State Park exit, we passed Faywood Hot Springs Resort. It has a private RV campground, lodging, and multiple hot springs pools--private and groups pools, clothing and clothing-optional choices. They describe it as "a rustic, natural geothermal resort," and "a desert oasis." You can click on the link above to learn more about it.

When we reached our event hotel, we checked in. We also signed up and paid $27 ($3 each) for the nine walks sponsored by New Mexico's Sun Country Striders AVA club. Henri and Eileen worked the sign-up table in the lobby. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Attendees from Washington and Wisconsin sign up
at the table. Henri is on the right.

Sheri Logan (another San Antonian).

Henri Vargas and Eileen Roberts.

The early birds--the event officially starts Thursday.

I met two more people from Washington state, two from The Walking Sticks club in Sacramento, California, Sarah from Colorado, and Barbara from Missouri. I'm finally meeting people that I've seen on Facebook for years. It's been a great day!

Thursday, Susan and I plan to do the Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, 10 km walk/hike in the morning. After lunch, we will drive back toward Silver City and do the Fort Bayard and Dragonfly walks.