Turtles & ice cream

With summer setting in, it gets difficult to go hiking on busy weekends or get up earlier and earlier to beat the heat. For those living in in town (Las Cruces), there's no reason we can't fit a quick urban hike after work.

Tortugas Mountain (aka "A Mountain", because it has a big "A" on it as seen from NMSU/Interstate 25) is an urban mountain with many, many hiking trails to explore. Every Tuesday evening, I'd like to go out there, pick a random trail when we get there, and get a few miles in during the week.

I have no intention of staying out past sunset, which limits hiking time to some 2 hours, and distance to some 6–7 mi, maximum.

Routes may vary: we'll may walk around the mountain first and take the easy (road) way up, or go quickly and take a steep route. I also had the idea to play a game with a coin and at each trail junction, flip it to see which way to go. Etc etc.

Afterwards, Baskin Robbins has dollar scoop night—child-size scoops are $1, and full-size scoops $1.50 for all sorbets and ice creams. Make sure to burn enough calories to earn yourself a cone if you decide to join.

DISTANCE is variable depending on what we decide to do. Please plan between 2 and 6 mi.

ELEVATION GAIN is variable, but it is some 1000 ft to the top of Tortugas Mountain.

FEES: None. Of course, if you carpool, please compensate your driver for gas!

DURATION: variable; we finish when we finish. I aim for getting done by 8:30 pm or earlier.

PET FRIENDLY? Yes. Bring a muzzle (you shouldn't need be told to bring a proper leash).

SKILL LEVEL is variable. If you're a beginner, please come and let us know—we'll pick an easier route!

TERRAIN is loose, steep mountainside. I personally stay on trails but we may go off if people desire something more challenging.

WEATHER is clear, though sometimes it's windy on the top.

AFTERWARDS I am going to dollar scoop night at Baskin Robbins—feel free to join!

MEET at:

Las Cruces: 5:45 pm at Tortugas Mountain's Sunset Parking lot. See map (http://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=32.29748&mlon=-106.70694&zoom=17&layers=M). MORE information:

Map of area (http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=32.28814&lon=-106.69907&zoom=15&layers=M)