New Mexico
First Day Hikes kick off 2025 in El Paso, New Mexico parks
Exercise always comes to mind at the start of a new year as people think about personal changes they want to make. And while fitness gyms may be popular at the beginning of the year, there’s also a great opportunity to start 2025 with a hike.
In El Paso and New Mexico, as in the United States, several state parks will participate in the First Day Hikes initiative. In New Mexico, 14 state parks will be part of many planned and guided hikes.
“First Day hikes are a fantastic way to begin the new year by focusing on health and well-being,” said Toby Velasquez, Director of New Mexico State Parks in an email. “Spending time outdoors, breathing in fresh air, and engaging in physical activity can boost both mental and physical health. We encourage everyone to join us for a hike, embrace nature, and start the year feeling energized and connected to the outdoors.”
Guided hikes are free and open to the public, with options suitable for various abilities. In New Mexico, guides will lead participants through picturesque trails while sharing information about the local wildlife, habitats, and history of the parks.
In addition to the hikes, some parks will host polar plunges for those who want to take a daring dip into cold, clear waters on the first day of the year.
First Day Hikes in El Paso
We Hike will have a hike at noon Wednesday, Jan. 1, at Chuck Heinrick Park, 11101 Loma Del Sol Drive. The hike will be from 4 to 6 miles around the Franklins, looking at the desert and hearing about the environment.
Hikers should take a minimum of 2 liters of water, sunscreen, and a good hat for protection from the sun, as there is no shade on the trail. Snacks are always good to have. Bring any medications you may personally need.
The fee will be $5 per person Park fee, or use your Texas Park pass. Go online to https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/franklin…
First Day Hikes in New Mexico
Here is a list of the parks participating in First Day Hikes in New Mexico.
- Brantley Lake State Park
- Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike
- Cerrillos Hills State Park
- Time: 1 – 3 p.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike
- Eagle Nest Lake State Park
- Time: 12 – 3 p.m.
- Activity: New Year’s Polar Plunge
- Time: 12 – 2 p.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike Polar Stomp
- Elephant Butte Lake State Park
- Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike Dam
- Fenton Lake State Park
- Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Activity: Walk First Day Hike
- Hyde Memorial State Park
- Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike
- Living Desert State Park
- Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike
- Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
- Time: 10 – 11 a.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike
- Pancho Villa State Park
- Time: 9 – 10 a.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike
- Santa Rosa Lake State Park
- Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike
- Storrie Lake State Park
- Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Activity: Polar Bear Plunge
- Sugarite Canyon State Park
- Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike Snow Stomp
- Sumner Lake State Park
- Time: 1 – 2 p.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike
- Ute Lake State Park
- Time: 12 – 2 p.m.
- Activity: First Day Hike/Bring a Picnic
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on Instagram, eptmariacg on TikTok.
Arizona State baseball will host a four-game homestand, beginning with New Mexico State on Wednesday, April 22.
The Sun Devils and Aggies faced each other in late March, with ASU winning 10-4. The two teams will meet for the final time at 6:35 p.m. at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
ASU will then welcome Baylor on Friday, April 24, for a three-game series. The Sun Devils have yet to face the Bears this season, but ASU has been doing well so far and has been in the top 25 for four weeks.
Sophomore center fielder Landon Hairston earned Big 12 player of the week honors on April 13, after delivering five home runs in five games. His 10 runs in that stretch were tied for the second-most nationally and his 14 runs batted in were tied for third-most nationally. All nine of his hits went for extra bases, three more than any other player.
ASU’s series against Baylor will start at 6:35 p.m. for the first two games, followed by a 1:05 p.m. start on Sunday, April 26.
April 19
Softball at Houston, Cougar Softball Stadium, noon.
April 22
Baseball vs New Mexico State, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 6:35 p.m.
April 23
Women’s golf at Big 12 Championship, Dallas Athletic Club, TBA.
Track and field at Penn Relays, Franklin Field, 1:22 p.m.
Beach volleyball at Big 12 Championship, Bear Down Beach, all day.
April 24
Baseball vs Baylor, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 6:35 p.m.
Softball vs Texas Tech, Farrington Stadium, 7 p.m.
April 25
Lacrosse at Colorado, Prentup Field, 11 a.m.
Softball vs Texas Tech, Farrington Stadium, 3 p.m.
Baseball vs Baylor, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 6:35 p.m.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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Josh’s Saturday Night Forecast
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Calmer weather has moved back into the state this afternoon. Temperatures are slightly warmer across northwestern New Mexico, while southeastern areas are cooler thanks to the backdoor cold fronts that moved in on Friday. Breezier winds will return Sunday and will help kick off a warming trend across the state, along with an elevated fire threat in eastern New Mexico.
Warmer weather will continue building in across the state throughout the upcoming week. A few isolated rain chances will return Monday in parts of New Mexico, but some of that rain may evaporate before reaching the ground.
Good morning!
Heading out the door this morning? Bundle up! Cold air has settled into the Land of Enchantment after two cold fronts passed through New Mexico within the last 24 hours. Temperatures have fallen to the teens, 20s and 30s throughout northern New Mexico. The metro area is just as cold with Moriarty falling to the teens and several other cities bottoming out near the freezing point. The National Weather Service (NWS) has Freeze Warnings in place until 9 a.m. for several locations in northern and central New Mexico. However, one of the aforementioned cold fronts is still moving through eastern New Mexico this morning. That back door cold front has brought 30-45 mph wind gusts, or more, in southeastern New Mexico. The front will push west further west this morning bringing breezy winds to far south and southwestern New Mexico this afternoon. Otherwise, much calmer weather will be on tap for the state compared to the majority of this week.
The colder air this morning will bring cooler and seasonable weather to the Land of Enchantment later on Saturday. Afternoon highs will range from the high 50s, in sections of the northern mountains, to the 70s in southern New Mexico. Throughout the weekend into early next week a warming trend is expected as a ridge of high pressure builds on Sunday, which is forecasted to last through at least Tuesday. By next Tuesday, high temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees above normal, and even warmer for some locations by next Wednesday with breezy conditions returning to the state.
Moisture does stream back into the state early next week across New Mexico. Tomorrow’s forecast is expected to have cloud coverage increase with warmer weather. On Monday sufficient moisture in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere will bring the chance for showers; however, moisture levels toward the surface will be lower. That will also bring the chance for dry showers and thunderstorms throughout the state. Have a great weekend and stay warm this morning!
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