March 28–30, 2025
Black Mesa, Oklahoma High Point (4,974’) and Capulin Volcano NP, New Mexico
It was still winter back home in Colorado, but Hazel had
been asking to go camping for weeks. Santa brought her a new tent for
Christmas, and she was eager to put it to use. While looking for a trip with
decent weather, Laura suggested hiking Black Mesa and stopping at Capulin
Volcano on the way back. It sounded perfect.
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Laura, Hazel and Justin at the Oklahoma state line sign
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The forecast looked promising for the last few days of
Hazel’s spring break from preschool, so we packed up the Jeep with all our
camping gear and drove south toward Black Mesa State Park, tucked into the far
northwest corner of Oklahoma.
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Justin cooking dinner at our campsite at Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma
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We set up camp Friday evening and cooked sausages and
peppers for dinner before roasting marshmallows and making s’mores around the
fire. Hazel couldn’t wait to sleep in her new tent, so we called it an early
night and set an alarm for the next morning.
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Hazel enjoyed the new tent while Justin enjoyed the campfire at Black Mesa State Park, Oklahoma
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The hike to the summit of Black Mesa is just under five
miles each way, for a round trip of nearly ten miles. The trail was
well-maintained with mile markers, benches, and a few informative displays
along the way. The hike was relatively easy, and the displays gave us a chance
to learn about the local history, wildlife and ecosystem as we walked.
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| Hazel and Justin at the Black Mesa Trailhead |
Laura, Hazel, and I reached the summit—marked by a large
granite monolith—in just 2 hours and 20 minutes. We took photos, Hazel signed
the summit register, and we walked over to an overlook with views stretching
into New Mexico.
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| Hazel and Justin hiking on the Black Mesa trail |
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| Laura, Hazel and Justin at the summit of Black Mesa, OK |
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| Hazel signing the summit register |
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| Black Mesa summit register |
As the day warmed up, we started our descent around noon.
Hazel hiked between us, “slingshoting” Laura and I ahead with a big smile.
About halfway down, while running ahead, she tripped on a rock and scraped
her knee and nose. After a few tears and a hug, she bounced back and continued
the hike like a champ. We made it back to the car in 1 hour and 45 minutes,
arriving around 1:45 p.m.
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| All smiles back at the trailhead |
After a break and some snacks, we ventured off to see real
dinosaur tracks, made by an Allosaurus, approximately 145 million years ago. Set in a sandy
riverbed off the beaten path. The tracks were huge—so big Hazel could sit
inside one!
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| Hazel trying to walk in the dinosaur tracks |
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| Hazel sitting in one of the dinosaur tracks |
Next up was the tri-state marker where Colorado, New Mexico,
and Oklahoma meet. We took photos, goofed around in all three states, and ran
in circles shouting out the names of each one as we circled the marker.
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| Laura, Hazel and Justin at the tristate marker |
We also visited a reconstructed dinosaur bone excavation
site and explored a nearby petrified forest area before heading back to camp
for our final night under the stars.
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| Justin and Hazel at a replica of the dinosaur bone that was found here. |
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| Hazel hugging the petrified tree |
On our way home Sunday morning, we made one last stop at
Capulin Volcano National Monument. Hazel had already completed the Junior
Ranger printout while driving—both the young and older kid versions—and proudly
earned a new badge and patch. We hiked the crater rim loop trail, taking in
views of the surrounding landscape that reminded us how much more there is to
see in what we often think of as just “flatlands.” After lunch at the car, we
drove down the winding road and stopped by the visitor center before heading
home.
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| Laura, Hazel and Justin at Capulin Volcano National Monument |
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| Hazel at the highest point of the Capulin Volcano rim |
It was a fun, unique weekend full of new experiences and
adventures—one we hope Hazel will always remember as a special time with her
parents.
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Hazel showing off her new Junior Ranger patch and badge
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| Hazel liked all of the animal footprints on the Black Mesa trailhead gate |
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| We all enjoyed the new tent but decided it was smaller than the last one. |
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| Hazel flying like the birds up the Capulin Volcano rim trail |
