Geronimo's Cave hike
Details
Distance: app. 2.5 miles RT
Elevation gain: 557 feet
Level: Moderate
Time: 1.5-2.5 hours
This hike is located in Radium Springs and it leads to an interesting cave allegedly once used as an escape route by Geronimo.
We will cross the dry river bed to get to the trail. There is a little more water in the river than this time last year, but I've found a dry crossing a couple hundred yards down from the usual crossing.
Directions via Google Maps
To reach the area, take Valley Drive north from Las Cruces toward Fort Selden. (This is probably better than taking I25, due to current construction.) Turn west onto Hayride Road, and then turn left (south) once again onto the levee. See screenshot of map below, and drive down the levee until you see my blue-gray Ford Bronco.
This is an easy-to-moderate hike that is mostly on packed gravel, with modest elevation gain. It is a continuous uphill climb to the cave, and there is no shade other than the cave itself at the end. There is a scramble up a dirt hill once we cross the river, and then a precarious walk near a steep drop-off as we reach the cave. The rest of the footpath is smooth hiking.
We will start hiking promptly at 8:30 a.m. Please be on time! Leave 15 minutes earlier than you think you'll need to.
As always, beginners and newbies welcomed. We will take as many breaks as needed.
Things you will want/need:
- Protect yourself from the sun with sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat.
- Take breaks often, walk as a group.
- If you want to see more of the cave than just the entrance, bring a flashlight or headlamp.
- If you want to explore the cave passages, wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. The cave floor is dusty and you will have to get on your hands and knees in the passages.
- The black flies in the desert have been pretty bad lately, although they don't seem to bite. You might want some insect repellent.
Here a link to the trail map on AllTrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-mexico/geronimos-cave
Location on Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/32%C2%B027'59.1%22N+106%C2%B054'18.1%22W/