"Two years ago my son Garret and I started to hike the Big Costilla Peaks and ran across a no trespassing sign at the southern border of the Vermejo Park Ranch. Vermejo Park, in northern New Mexico, is the largest private property in North America. It is a secluded, gorgeous, green and lush animal refuge about the size of Rhode Island. We did not wish to trespass so we did not hike that day. I spent 9 months writing them, trying to seek permission to hike their peaks but they would not give me permission. I decided to treat my son and myself and stay at their ranch as a guest for 2 nights and 3 days for about two thousand dollars, and try to hike all of their 11 and 12 thousand foot peaks. There are 9 of them. The only way that you can get into the park is by way of Raton and highway 555. All of their other gates are locked. It was a very long drive so we decided to campout Thursday night, June 21, 2012, at the Sugarite Canyon State Park, then get up at about 4 AM Friday and head into park and try to hike the 6 largest peaks; from Big Costilla Peak South to the Colorado boarder and Stateline Peak. It is a good thing Garret got reservations at the state park or they would not have h..." — Phil-Robinson • Jun 22, 2012