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
1
Chavez Cave Hike
Chavez Cave Parking Area, 5945 Shalem Colony Trail, Las Cruces, NM, USLocation: 7 miles north of Las Cruces
Difficulty: Easy
Length: an approximate 1 mile up-and-back hike (2 miles total)
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
Duration: 2 hoursThis hike will take us to Chavez Cave, a seldom-visited cave only 7 miles north of Las Cruces. The cave features grinding mortars and pictographs from the Jornada Mogollon culture, dating back to around 800 A.D.
Archeologists excavated this cave in the 1900s, recovering an atlatl (dart-thrower), darts, remnants of corn and squash, baskets, sandals, and hundreds of other artifacts. At the time of excavation, they noticed pictographs on the cave ceiling, but many of these were too faded to clearly identify. Today, despite recent cave vandalism and continued natural weathering and erosion, image enhancement technology allows us to see some of these faded pictographs, which include masks, a terraced design, a cat's paw, and roadrunner tracks. I'll demo an archeological cell phone app for those interested.
Geo-coordinates of parking area: 32.37784, -106.8553
Driving directions from Mayfield High School in Las Cruces
Directions to the Parking Area: From downtown Las Cruces, take N Valley Drive out of town until you reach Shalem Colony Trail. Turn West on Shalem Colony Trail and follow it for approx. 9/10ths of a mile. Immediately after the Fletcher Farms pecan orchard, turn right on the River Levee Road and look for my blue-gray Ford Bronco. (Note: If you cross the river bridge you have gone too far! Turn back and look for my vehicle on the east side of the river.)
What to Bring:
- Approx one liter of water per person
- Appropriate footwear; most of the hike is through sand, and the rest in a rocky arroyo.
- Hat, sunscreen, jacket or layers for changing desert weather.
Caution/Disclaimer: Please avoid disturbing nearby private landowners. Exploring the far corners of the cave is discouraged due to pack rat fecal matter. Collection of cultural artifacts is prohibited by law. 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.
26 attendees
Past events
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