Gerry and I took a trip to Black Mesa, Oklahoma for the Memorial Day 2004 weekend. From Tulsa we drove to Clayton, New Mexico and spent the night at the Eklund Hotel. The hotel is an historic hotel, recently renovated.

On Friday morning, we made the short drive from Clayton to Kenton, Oklahoma and to Black Mesa. The turn off from highway 325 just east of Kenton is clearly marked. About five miles north of the turn off, you will reach the gravel parking lot for the Black Mesa Nature Preserve.

It was a clear, windy and warm day when we arrived. There was one other adventurer in the parking lot, a young man from Durango, Colorado. Planning ahead, we had brought extra water, a backpack, sunscreen, and hats. Good shoes are also a must but we did not get hiking boots, just good walking shoes.

We set out from the parking lot at about 10:30 am. Climb the steps over the fence and follow the trail. We were surprised that the trail did not lead more directly toward the mesa. After walking for nearly an hour (at our normal pace about three miles) the trail finally turned toward the mesa. We could see the trail ahead of us leading up the side of the mountain.