Rescheduled: Walk @ WW2 Precision Bombing Range #11

Distance: app 1 mile walk - (half a mile out and then back)
Duration: 1 hours walking plus drive time (35 minutes from Las Cruces)
Difficulty: Easy. Wear appropriate footwear and pants for hiking in the prickly desert grasslands.

West of Las Cruces lies one of the U.S. military's keys to winning World War II. Giant military targets cover the desert grassland below, and were used to train bomber crews on what was then top-secret targeting system called the Norden Bombsight. Army pilots used these ranges to drop fake, sand-filled practice bombs. Most of these bombing ranges were in the shape of bullseyes, formed with large, concentric circles of rocks. Others took the shape of mock factories and oil tank farms, railroad switching yards, and even battleships. There were 34 ranges scattered across the desert between Deming and Las Cruces, many of which are still visible from the air and on topographic tools such as Google Earth.

Remnants of the sand-filled practice bombs still litter the desert around these abandoned sites, and we will see some on this hike (see attached photos). While the Army has inspected/cleared this site, please treat any remnants you find with safety in mind—“look but don’t touch.” Collecting relics is prohibited, but there are a lot of agates in this area for rockhounders.

What to Bring:

• Water
• Hiking/hunting/cowboy boots with good ankle protection; we’ll be walking in prickly ungrazed pasture
• Hat, sunscreen, jacket or layers for changing desert weather

Directions:

• Google Map https://maps.app.goo.gl/twdg6Yt6F2GyJL137 Take Highway 10 west toward Deming. Just past the border security checkpoint, take Exit 116. We will meet at this exit; look for other cars parked on the edge of the frontage road.
• We will be driving on soft, sandy roads and will take a detour through an overgrown stockyard. We can form a carpool near the meeting point if anyone arriving in smaller cars wants to ride in an AWD/4WD vehicle.

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.