A Hike up Mt. Christo Rey - New Mexico

I was in El Paso on a work assignment.  My car was en route, so new friends were generously offering me rides and helping me settle in.

On one such ride, while my friend expertly maneuvered the aggressive drivers on I-10, I soaked in the city which was home for the next 3 months. I saw the wall that divided us from Mexico and ruminated about our proximity to it as my eyes skimmed over the majestic mountains. Suddenly, my eye caught a white figure on one of the mountains.

"What's that"? I asked, curiously.

"Mt. Christo Rey", replied my friend. " And that is a statue of Christ", she expanded referring to the white figure that held my attention.

Unbeknown to her, I have a fascination for larger-than-life statues. Christ the Redeemer, in Brazil is on my travel bucket list. So while Brazil had to wait, I decided to get a group together to hike up Mt. Christo Rey.

The Details

The statue has a rich history dating back to the 1930's. You can get more information about it here and here. While it is considered a pilgrimage site for Catholics, there are no religious restrictions on hiking up the mountain.

Elevation Gain: 820 feet
Trail length: 4.4 miles round trip
Estimated time: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy

A word of caution

Due to its proximity to Mexico on the southern edge of the mountain, there are safety concerns in the area. The recommendation is to go in groups. Visitors are also encouraged to visit on days when organized events are being held.

I went for the hike with 2 other friends on a regular Sunday.

• There is a sign at the trailhead entrance to let the border police know you are hiking up the mountain.
• I called the number and left our personal and car details with them, before starting the hike.
• We saw many people on the trail including families with children. We, also, observed border police helicopters patrolling the area.
• Please use caution and your judgment in making a decision on whether this hike is right for you.

The Hike

The road leading to the mountain entrance is uneven and bumpy. Cars can travel on this road but expect ups and downs. Once at the entrance, the actual walking path is easy to find and follow.

The hike up the mountain is a steady climb with gradual elevation changes. Laid along the path are 14 crosses representing the Stations of the Cross - worshippers stop at each station to say prayers and engage in reflections.

There are gorgeous views of El Paso from many different view points.

Seeing the border wall from this vantage point was also an interesting experience.

Though the hike up the hill was full of absorbing sights, the final ascent up to the statue was one to remember. It had the steepest climb so far and at the end of it, we were rewarded with a truly breathtaking view of the statue.

We had 360 degree views of all 3 states and were at the base of a statue that was larger-than-life. We reflected on how grateful we were to have made this hike.

After soaking in the beauty around us, we made our way down. The entire hike took us about 2 hours to complete.