Trespassing on the CDT
Apteryx encounters the private land dilemma on his first day northbound:
Unfortunately at the point I was going to get off the road there was a locked gate and a sign
NO HUNTING - NO TRESSPASSING
Access by special written permission only
Violaters will be prosecuted under section 30-14-L1
and 30-14-3 New Mexico statutes annotated 1991
HURT CATTLE CO - DEMING, NM
If that was supposed to intimidate me it did the job. As I am seeking US residency with the process at the FBI check stage I didn’t think it a good idea to maybe get arrested. I’d heard enough stories about the ranchers in southern New Mexico.
This won’t be last time he encounters signs like that in New Mexico. I don’t know what he’s heard about the ranchers, but all the ranchers we met were exceedingly kind and generous. Most said, “Oh, those signs aren’t meant for you [hikers].” That doesn’t solve the dilemma, but at least we got some positive feedback.
