Spooners Mesa, September 1, 2008: There are giant earthmovers working on the border fence. There are hundreds of large trucks moving on the valley’s roads supporting fence construction. Border roads, Smuggler’s Gulch, Goat Canyon, all mesa tops, along the fence, and roads to construction sites are closed to horses and hikers. Border Patrol will ask you to leave. However, there are some narrow trail/roads on the north faces of First Mesa and Spooners Mesa that do not have any construction traffic. DO NOT RIDE ON MARKED CONSTRUCTION ROADS – the giant equipment works all day and a road temporarily appearing clear is not safe. Equipment is coming. ALSO – Hollister St, Monument Rd, and Dairy Mart Rd have heavy construction traffic. Their drivers do not understand a horse’s nature. Stay away from these roads as much as possible during the weekdays. 
Mesa tops and border fence are closed to riders at all times including weekends and holidays.