Leaves, wildflowers, grasses wrap around me.
Evergreens rise to a peak of punch-me blue.
I sit at the bottom of Madera Canyon on North Mystery Trail.
We chose this path for its deep canyons, cool breezes and few visitors.
The tradeoff: we must hike nearly 1,000 feet back uphill to the trailhead on a rare 100% humidity day.
I set the pace – slow, after two long breaks from the trail during Covid-19.
An hour later, I shuffle my jelly legs into the most beautiful meadow in the Sandias, flop under the first flopping tree I see.
Sky-sized cloud pillows glide over Palomas Peak, spread light and shadow.
A vulture wings. One jay bleats in the evergreen ridge below the peak. Cool air shakes loose.
It’s nearly monsoon o’clock in mountain time. We should get back to the car.
I stand, and my jaw drops (as much as a masked jaw can drop.)
We’d been sitting under a medallion tree. A mystery person took core samples from trees along this trail, then put up medallions naming events from the tree’s date of germination.
What are the odds that one of the few native Mississippians in New Mexico would happen to flop under the “Mississippi, the 20th State Tree?”
I consider that on the last half mile of the trail. Wild grasses press in close. Trees tangle above. The undergrowth, the humidity and the mask fog my glasses so much the world around me blurs.
It looks like a mountain swamp, with peaks and steep canyons – a Mississippi fever dream that could only be found in New Mexico.
Hike length: 5+ miles
Difficulty: moderate
Trail traffic: very light
Wildlife spotted/heard: hummingbirds, butterflies, beetles, blue jays, harrier, downy woodpeckers, sparrow, chipmunk, cottontail, crow, vultures, doves
Woman Seeks Elevation 