About us
A group for casual/entry-level hikers interested in easy hikes in the Las Cruces area. We have walkers of varying fitness levels and try to keep the pace slow—taking frequent breaks for rest and photography. We will meet on weekend mornings, depending on group interest.
Upcoming events
3
RESCHEDULED Doña Ana Arch Loop Hike
Dona Ana Arch, C5Q3+XQ, LAS CRUCES, NM, USNOTE CHANGE OF DATE!
Distance: an approximate 3.5 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 883 feet
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: High-Moderate to Strenuous (due to elevation gain and slippery rocks on trail)We have rescheduled this hike for February 7. The hike mostly follows UTV trails and is challenging due to the elevation changes and slippery gravel/rocks on the hills. If you have balance issues, joint issues, or cardio-pulmonary issues, this is not a good hike for you. But if you are even in moderate shape, have no underlying health issues, and TAKE YOUR TIME, this is a "doable" and beautiful hike. It is well worth doing once, to see these natural arches of the Dona Anas.
You do NOT need a 4WD vehicle; the trailhead can be reached even with passenger cars. Be apprised that this area sees a lot of off-road vehicle use and there is an active gun range near the entrance.
This hike brings you up close to some beautiful natural arches and a shelter cave. The rock formations here are very striking and there are superb photo opportunities all along the summit.
Please hike as a group; we will take many breaks on this hike to let the slowest hikers set the pace. It is recommended that participants use the AllTrails map for this hike, as it is easy to take a wrong turn due to all the intersecting UTV trails along the way.
What to Bring:
- At least one liter of water per person (2 would be better)
- Snacks for energy. This is a 3-hour hike and you will probably want some carbs at the summit.
- Hiking boots with good ankle support.
- Trekking poles. You will really need these due to the loose gravel on the hills.
- A fully-charged cell phone. Recommend installing the AllTrails app and downloading the map for this hike (see link below).
- Hat, sunscreen, jacket or layers for changing desert weather
Directions:
- AllTrails Map of the main hike
- Google Map Directions to the area. We will meet in the dirt lot just off Del Rey Blvd/Goat Hill Road, then drive as a group to the trailhead, which is a few hundred yards further north down a primitive gravel road.
- From Las Cruces, take I-25 north to the Dona Anna exit (exit 9). Turn right at the exit. Continue up the hill to Del Rey boulevard, then turn left. Follow Del Rey past the Waste Management/Community Collection center. At the point where Del Rey banks sharply to the left and turns into Goat Hill Road, turn off into the gravel lot on the right. Look for a blue-gray Ford Bronco. We will meet here before driving further to the trailhead.
Caution/Disclaimer: Hikers are responsible for their own personal safety/health and of their guests when participating in Las Cruces Short Hikes activities. The organizers of Las Cruces Short Hikes are not liable for any illness, injury, accident, mechanical break-down, or unforeseen acts that may occur while you participate going to, during, or after any activity. If you have a medical condition that may be aggravated by any kind of physical activity you must make your own personal decision about attending and not hold any of the volunteer organizers liable. All organizers are volunteers and are not compensated during any activity.
9 attendees
Valles Canyon Petroglyph Hike
Valles Tank, New Mexico 88007, Las Cruces, NM, USDistance: ~6 to 6.8 miles total, out and back
Duration: 3 hours walking + drive time (plan for 5 hours round trip)
Difficulty: Moderate (Longer hike with rocky footing. <400 feet elevation gain. No climbing/bouldering necessary.)
Drive: ~1 hour NW of Las Cruces on Corralitos Road (rough, paved road).This remote box canyon offers solitude, 100 ft high canyon walls, and views of grinding mortars and petroglyphs from the Jornada Mogollon culture. The hike also passes by some 19th century ranch wall ruins. Migratory birds and other wildlife are frequently seen around the stock ponds in this valley. Depending on the group interest, we may walk a half mile up the Broad Canyon confluence, to see more petroglyphs.
Please meet promptly at 9:00 a.m. in the corral area near Valles Tank (see link below). The paved road is navigable via passenger cars but has lots of low washes and cattle grates, so drive attentively. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. There is no cell phone coverage in this area.
What to Bring:
- ~ 1 liter of water per person.
- Snacks to refuel at half-way point of hike.
- Hiking boots with good ankle support; the path follows a rustic jeep trail and a canyon floor with lots of "ankle-roller" rocks.
Driving Directions to Valles Tank:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hd5tgLc3fYNYE3zn9Link to trail map on AllTrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-mexico/valles-canyon-trailCaution/Disclaimer: Hikers are responsible for their own personal safety/health and of their guests when participating in Las Cruces Short Hikes activities. The organizers of Las Cruces Short Hikes are not liable for any illness, injury, accident, mechanical break-down, or unforeseen acts that may occur while you participate going to, during, or after any activity. If you have a medical condition that may be aggravated by any kind of physical activity you must make your own personal decision about attending and not hold any of the volunteer organizers liable. All organizers are volunteers and are not compensated during any activity.
3 attendees
Tonuco Fluorite Mine & Petroglyphs (with Celebration of Our Mountains)
Upham exit, U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint, I-25, Las Cruces, NM 88007, Sierra County, NM, USDistance: an approximate 3 mile out-and-back. We were previously able to drive into and down the wash last fall, but if for some reason we can't this time, there may be an additional 2 miles of hiking.
Elevation Gain: 225 feet (petroglyphs) to 800 feet (fluorite mine)
Duration: 2 hours hiking plus drive time (45 minutes north of Las Cruces)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Petroglyphs) to High-Moderate (Fluorite mine)This hike leads past some Jornada Mogollon petroglyphs, then continues up a steep canyon to an abandoned mine, featuring fluorite that glows under black light. The surrounding area has many other interesting rocks and minerals including petrified wood, barite, obsidian, etc.
You do NOT need a 4WD vehicle; we will have trucks and jeeps for shuttling people from the parking area down into the Tonuca Wash and onward to the base of the canyon hike. This makes for a much shorter and easier way to explore this trail.
The mine is the most interesting part of the hike, but the final, steep ascent may pose challenges for those with limited abilities or balance issues. If anyone chooses to turn around at the petroglyphs, we'll make sure someone stays behind with you.
This hike will be led by geologists from Celebration of Our Mountains - El Paso, who will explain the geological forces that shaped this region.
What to Bring:
- At least one liter of water per person (2 would be better)
- Snacks for energy if going all the way to the mine. This is not a long hike, but the uphill scrambling can be taxing.
- Hiking boots with good ankle support.
- A flashlight for the mine, and a daypack for bringing back rock specimens.
- A U/V ("black light") flashlight if you have one; the fluorite glows under this light.
- Hat, sunscreen, jacket or layers for changing desert weather
Directions:
- AllTrails Map of the main hike
- Google Map Directions to the area.
- From Las Cruces, take I-25 north to the Upham exit (exit 32). Pull over to the side of the road near the bottom of this exit; we will wait here for the El Paso contingent.
Caution/Disclaimer: Hikers are responsible for their own personal safety/health and of their guests when participating in Las Cruces Short Hikes activities. The organizers of Las Cruces Short Hikes are not liable for any illness, injury, accident, mechanical break-down, or unforeseen acts that may occur while you participate going to, during, or after any activity. If you have a medical condition that may be aggravated by any kind of physical activity you must make your own personal decision about attending and not hold any of the volunteer organizers liable. All organizers are volunteers and are not compensated during any activity.
7 attendees
Past events
22
