Kilbourne Hole Hike (joint hike with Celebration of Our Mountains - El Paso)

You must register in advance for this hike with Celebration of Our Mountains. Follow this link to do so.

Distance: 1 mile along the rim
Duration: ~1 hours walking + drive time (plan for ~5 hours round trip)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (rocky footing)

Visit Kilbourne Hole, one of the most spectacular volcanic features in the Southwest. Located 1.5 hours SW of Las Cruces, this maar crater---created by a powerful volcanic explosion thousands of years ago---is now a National Natural Landmark and one of the best places to see mantle xenoliths (pieces of Earth’s mantle brought to the surface). This area has historically been known to rockhounds as an ideal place to find peridot, a gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. Kilbourne Hole has been used to train NASA astronauts to identify and collect geological samples in a training environment that simulates the Moon.

This geologist-led hike is in collaboration with the group Celebration of Our Mountains - El Paso. The hike will take participants along the rim on an easy-to-moderate trail through sandy desert terrain. Along the way, you’ll learn about the crater’s unique geology, how it formed, and why it continues to fascinate scientists and explorers alike.

Drive: ~1.5 hour from Las Cruces (includes 45 minutes dirt roads). Travel is slow, dusty, and bumpy. Mid-clearance vehicles are recommended; low-clearance cars may need to carpool; we can coordinate at the meet-up point.

Carpooling: Strongly encouraged! Helps reduce dust, shorten the caravan, and accommodate those with smaller vehicles.

What to Bring:

• At least 1 liter of water per person (more if possible)
• Snacks or a packed lunch
• Comfortable hiking boots/walking shoes
• Hat, sunscreen, jacket or layers for changing desert weather
• Spirit of adventure (and maybe a rock hammer and safety goggles if you’re curious!)

Important Notes:

• Arrive at the Love's Travel Stop in Santa Teresa by 8:45 a.m. The El Paso group will meet up with us there around 9:00 a.m. and we will continue westward to the site.
• Cell service is limited at the site. There are no restroom facilities.
• If you have a high-clearance vehicle, please consider carpooling others. The last, 1/4-mile access road is very rutted.

Contacts:
Brenna (Celebration of Our Mountains) – btapril@miners.utep.edu
Steve (Las Cruces Short Hikes) - (952) 353-0528

Google Maps link to the Love's Travel Stop in Santa Teresa.

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.