Old Hachita - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | Old Hachita |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | New Mexico |
| Nearby Town: | Deming |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | Leave Deming heading west on I-10 and drive approximatley 32 miles. Exit at New Mexico 146 and head south for approximately 19.2 miles. Drive west around 5 miles on New Mexico 9, and Old Hachita will be on your left, just south of the road. |
| Total Hike Distance: | 14.00 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Moderate |
| Permit Required: | No |
| Hike Type: | Roundtrip, Loop Hike |
| Hike Starts/Ends: | Old Hachita Ghost Town |
| Trails Used: | There is no actual trail system in this area. Feel free to walk in any direction you like. |
| Backcountry Campsites: | Yes |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | None |
| Management: | Bureau of Land Management |
| Contact Information: | New Mexico BLM Office 505-438-7400 |
| Best Season: | Winter, Spring, Fall |
| Users: | Hikers, Bikers, Dogs, Horses, ATVs |
| Road Conditions: | Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads |
| Hike Summary: | The is a great hike for desert novices or first time Ghost Towners, as it is fairly easy to access. Hachita is Spanish for Hatchet, and the town was named for the Big and Little Hatchet mountains in the area. At one time around the turn of the last century several thousand miners and their families lived here digging for gold and silver. The elevation in Old Hachita is only about 4,300 feet, so those of you that live on the coasts won't be gasping for breath. Ruins of miners shacks, business buildings, and mine headframes are scattered for miles in every direction. None of the area is private property, so feel free to examine anything you like. I suggest making some sort of circular pattern, since there is so much to see that if you just hop from one thing to the other, you will miss a lot of great historical items. This part of New Mexico is DESERT, so act accordingly. In the Summer, temperatures will exceed 100 degrees for days at a time, and there is very little shade in the area. NO water is available, so take plenty of fluids. This is also a very hostile environment in terms of animals, and there are large numbers of rattlesnakes and scorpions. Be careful where you put your feet and hands, and be VERY careful about picking up large objects lying on the ground, as that is where the nasty critters like to shelter. One final note. Old Hachita is hard up against the US/Mexico border. Large numbers of illegal aliens may be encountered sheltering in the mines and remaining buildings. These people are not normally dangerous, and it is best to simply avoid contact with them. However, drug running has become big business in this area, and the smugglers are DEFINITELY dangerous. Expensive 4 wheel drive vehicles are likely to be stolen or vandalized, and the bandits won't think twice about holding you up for whatever valuables you may have on you. I don't know what your personal feelings on weapons are, but you might at least consider some pepper spray, because it is a long way to anyone that cares if you are alive or dead. All that being said, Old Hachita is a great example of a desert mining town, and there is lots to see. The hiking is great, and there is plenty of it. Even the scenery is beautiful, and the desert has its own special beauty at night. |
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