Las Cruces Short Hikes

4.9•73 ratings

Las Cruces, NM, US

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

See all

Fall Color Hike in Cloudcroft
Sat, Oct 17 · 9:30 AM MDT
Osha Trailhead, 200 Glorietta Ave, Cloudcroft, NM, US
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (starting elevation 8,500 feet)
Distance: 2.5 miles round-trip
Elevation gain: 433 feet
Time: 3 hours round-trip driving from Las Cruces, plus 1.5 hour hike, plus 1.5 hours for lunch (optional).

For this hike, we'll enjoy the fall colors along the Osha Trail in Cloudcroft. Enjoy the brilliant oranges, reds and yellows of the maples and aspens, mixed with the fragrant greens of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir. Deer, elk and wild horses are often seen along the route. Portions of the trail offer glimpses of White Sands.

We will meet promptly at the trailhead at 9:30 a.m. For those who want to stay for lunch, we'll gather at Cloudcroft Brewing for beer and pizza (vegan/lactose-free cheese options are available) before heading home.

Tip: If you want more fall colors, take a slow, relaxing drive south of the village on NM-6563 for a scenic fall car ride.

AllTrails map of hike

Google Maps directions to trailhead
Please comment if you'd be interested in carpooling.

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.
12 attendees
Sold Out! Tonuco Fluorite Mine & Petroglyphs (with Celebration of Our Mountains)
Sun, Nov 1 · 8:30 AM MST
Upham exit, U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint, I-25, Las Cruces, NM 88007, Sierra County, NM, US
You must register in advance for this hike with Celebration of Our Mountains. Click here to do so.

Distance: an approximate 2 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 is a short hike, but its a rocky climb up a steep canyon. Trekking poles recommended. There is some scrambling, so if you have joint or balance issues, this may not be the hike for you.

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, rock pick, and safety glasses 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.
5 attendees
Leasburg Slot Canyon Hike
Sat, Nov 14 · 8:00 AM MST
Leasburg Slot Canyon, 17198 N Valley Dr, Las Cruces, NM, US
Leasburg Slot Canyon is 30 minutes north of Las Cruces, northwest of Radium Springs. The hike is an 2.5 mile loop with 331 feet of elevation gain, and takes about an hour. It is an easy hike; the only mildly tricky part is you need to climb over a 5-ft high green gate at the entrance (I've seen people aged 70+ do it, you can do it too.)

There is no signage at the parking area, so use Google Maps (Slot Canyon, 17198 N Valley Dr, Las Cruces, NM 88007) and watch your map as you approach so you will know when you are getting close. There will be green gates on both sides of the road; the trail is beyond the gates on the left/West side of the road.

Google Map Pin
12 attendees