Caprock Amphitheatre offers nearby hiking

If there’s one thing to remember, there are fun places to visit in and around Clovis.

North of Clovis, there’s a small piece of history ready to be tackled head-on, just as long as you come prepared with the proper necessities.

The Caprock Amphitheatre, about an hour away, is a great place to hit some rugged terrain for the hiking enthusiast.

Before it was shut down several years ago, the amphitheatre itself was home to the summerlong musical melodrama “Billy the Kid,” which attracted visitors from all around the Southwest and throughout the country.

For various reasons, the amphitheatre has since been shut down and access to the pavilion and seating areas has been gated off.

However, the amphitheatre area still has parking available and a number of scenic lookouts.

But to really get a grasp of the High Plains on which Cannon Air Force Base is located, you’re going to have to get “down and dirty,” as well as prepare to go down and uphill.

I went recently with a few friends, and no one was really sure what we were getting ourselves into. Our first injury, and not the last — by cactus — was a definitive announcement that we were taking the path less traveled.

There is a defined trail when beginning your trek, and having not stayed on it, we all agreed by the end of the hike that we probably should have.

The trek down, as well as up, isn’t for the weak of heart. Bring plenty of supplies in case the unexpected happens.

We also met up with some loose, unstable terrain and steep cliff faces.

All four of us thought we had encountered everything until Mitch unknowingly almost got too close to a rattlesnake. We found out later that it was a Mojave rattlesnake, one of the most poisonous in North America.

You must traverse two different valleys where the air tends to be stagnant and dry on this moderately strenuous hike. So make sure you bring plenty of water and electrolytes to stay hydrated.

Be prepared to get a sunburn as well if you decide not to bring sunscreen, which made me regret getting a haircut two days before our trek.

There are also areas full of thick brush, so try to wear long pants and layer your outer garments, such as a sweatshirt that you can take off later.

Also, one must remember to wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots.

With the dangers of cacti, rattlesnakes and loose terrain, shoes can make or break a positive hiking experience, and if you or friends make the trip north to Caprock, you won’t be disappointed.

To get there, just take Prince Street north out of Clovis for about an hour past Grady toward San Jon.