My first hike to Black Mesa. Probably not the best May hike. The heat wasn't unbearable, but the gnats and foxtail were. Not sure I've ever been in worse gnats. The trail is very rocky the last two miles in to the mesa. Other than that it is a nice hike. Nice views. Saw a White Tailed deer and a Gila Monster. I was hoping to see some snakes, but no luck. Took a wrong turn at one of the splits - can't follow my own directions. Other right. No sign of anyone going up on the mesa recently. Parts of the upper trail are hard to follow. Hard to see through the grass and rocks. Overall the trail is well cairned and you can find your way with a little looking around for the next cairn.