While we’re talking about backpacking this week, I wanted to share my favorite place in the Pecos: Trail Riders’ Wall. In fact, I would go so far as to say it’s one of my favorite places anywhere. I even have this habit of randomly thinking of Trail Riders throughout the year and imagining what it must look like in that moment – snowcovered at Christmas, green in late summer and full of rain clouds in spring.  Once you’ve stood on the wall, it’s just unforgettable.

But as with most good things, this irreplaceable site comes at a price. Trail Riders’ rate for admission? A hella climb that usually requires lots of breaks and gasps of oxygen from me. Even still, scanning the surrounding wilderness of forests, valleys, lakes and mountains in near silence and solitude is a worthy prize; there’s no view quite like this one.

And as you turn to your left, three mountain peaks loom ahead. Walking the trail towards them, I always feel like I’m on top of the world – it may be my very favorite thing about this favorite place.