Lucero Canyon Petroglyphs Hike (Radium Springs)
Details
Distance: 3.2 miles total (1.6 miles out and then back)
Duration: ~2 hours walking, plus drive time
Difficulty: Easy (loose sand, < 75 feet elevation gain)
This hike up Lucero Canyon near Radium Springs leads to petroglyphs depicting hunters with bows and arrows, an antelope, a turtle, bulb-headed twins, abstracts, and other subjects. The path follows the wash, which is very sandy. This area is just 15-20 minutes outside Las Cruces.
What to Bring:
- Water
- Comfortable hiking boots/walking shoes (they will get sandy)
- Hat, sunscreen, jacket or layers for changing desert weather
- Insect repellant
Directions:
- Google Map
- From Las Cruces, take highway 25 north to the Fort Selden exit (Exit #19)
- Turn right at exit. Continue straight 100 yards and go through open gate. Immediately after the gate, turn right and follow the minimum maintenance road as it doubles back along the highway. The parking area is about 1/4 mile down this road, on the right. See aerial map in photos.
- We will begin the hike promptly at 8:10 a.m.
Here the AllTrails link to the hike itself:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-mexico/lucero-canyon-petroglyphs
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 and Celebration of Our Mountains - El Paso 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.