Borderland Outdoors

Welcome leaders to a fun and different type of hike. If you sign up for this hike you are the leader of a dog sled team. (Note: This Urban Iditarod coincides with the Legendary Alaskan dog sled race. See main picture.) Only leaders should sign up for this hike; as such you are required to bring a minimum of 4 other “dogs” to the hike, and a maximum of 5.

Definition: “Dog” is a person dressed up as a real K-9, but probably could not pass for one by any stretch of the imagination. When leaders sign up for the hike, please note how many guests (“dogs”) you are bringing. It must be 4 or 5!

Are you still with me?

A dog sled team is comprised of 5 or 6 members: a musher and 4 or 5 “dogs.” However, musher can dress as a “dog” too. You will need a “dog sled.”

Definition: A “dog sled” can be a 2, 3, or 4 wheeled contraption (cart/sled) that the “dogs” will pull and the musher will push/control. Note: “Dogs” must bark at nearby people as we hike by them. Probably should not “sniff” the humans though.

Interested?

I hope so! We are trying to make a statement. That statement is, “FUN!” We are promoting the fact that in this time of craziness, there are still folks that can laugh at themselves and bring joy to others in the process. Now let's get serious for a bit!

Requirements:

1. I need a minimum of 10 leaders to commit to the Urban Iditarod for March 7, 2026. This is a Saturday. This should give you all enough time to build a team and a “dog sled.” Without a minimum of 10 leaders (~50 people) the statement does not have enough impact; and I will cancel the hike. The more the merrier.
2. No nudity, or political or racial statements of any kind are allowed. However, satire may be allowed. If you have questions, DM me early. All teams will be inspected for relevance and compliance. At the staging point a team of judges will tell you and your team whether you will be allowed to hike with us based on this criteria. Remember this is for FUN!
3. A maximum of 1 large K-9 or 2 small K-9s are allowed per team, but they must reside within your “dog sled” for the duration of the hike, and they must be well mannered. They cannot walk along side your team or pull the “dog sled.” Please curb your K-9 responsibly.
4. The course will be a 6 or 7 mile journey, providing maximum exposure to the maximum number of humans possible.
5. I will be working on an after-hike get together at a local sports bar or a park where we can end the hike and share stories of the hike. (There are always some really good ones that we all need to hear.)
6. Remember to carry water for “dogs” and K-9s in your sled and anything else you would take on a hike.
7. Please DM me for any questions. The sooner the better, and the more the merrier!

Caution/Disclaimer: Each individual hiker is responsible for their own personal safety/health and of their guests when participating in Borderland Outdoors. The organizers of Borderland Outdoors and Borderland Outdoors 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.

Type: Loop
Mileage: 10 miles ⚠️
Estimated time to complete: 6-8 hours ⚠️
Elevation: 3,501 ft gain/loss) ⚠️
Difficultly: VERY HARD/ VERY STRENUOUS ⚠️

THIS IS HIKE IS INTENDED FOR SEASONED HIKERS ONLY. NOT A BEGINNER HIKE. If you’re ready to test yourself mentally and physically then this hike is for you. We will begin at La Cueva trailhead at the Organ Mountains at 8 am. We will proceed with taking the trail that will take you up to Organ Peak. The first 3 miles will be on trail. Once we reach the narrows we will break for a few minutes. From the 3rd mile to the 6th mile it will be completely off trail until we reach the peak. We will be hiking up a grade incline of 21-80 percent. It will be very tough. There will be bushwhacking, minor bouldering, and scrambling involved. It it’s HIGHLY recommended you wear pants for this outing! Hiking poles are also encouraged! Bring 3 liters of water minimum!!!

No dogs allowed on this outing. It is not a dog friendly.

There is a $5 day pass fee to be paid at the kiosk near the trailhead. The America The Beautiful National Park pass is honored here to avoid paying the $5 day pass

We will meet at the Kohl’s/Starbucks off Red Road on the west side at 6:30 a.m. and leave sharply at 6:45 a.m. Please arrive with a full tank of gas. If you are from Las Cruces, we can meet at the circle k off University Ave and Don Roser ( located off I-25) at 7:15 am and leave sharply at 7:30 am to La Cueva trail head. The one where you begin to do the needle trail and organ peak.

Participants should be in good physical condition to attend this outing. Folks with an underlying medical condition should avoid moderate and strenuous outings. Participants who RSVP yes also agree to the Release of Liability statement located under the "What we're about" heading.

For safety reasons we hike together and support each-other as a group/team, with the leader in control. We stop, rest, eat, etc. together. No one will be allowed to hike ahead at any time. If you are unwilling to comply with this please do not sign up.

⚠️I reserve the right to remove any one from this hike. ⚠️

Thank You

What to bring
Day-hike gear, water/sports drinks, hiking poles, snacks. Bring the 10 essentials:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/day-hiking-checklist.html

Chiricahua Peak
Type: Out and back
Mileage: 10.25 miles ⛔️
Estimated time to complete: 5-7 hrs⚠️
Elevation: 3,200 ft. gain/loss)⚠️
Difficultly: hard / strenuous ⚠️

Chiricahua Peak, 9,759 feet, is the highest point within the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. On this day hike we will utilize the Greenhouse Trail and the Crest Trail to reach our destination, Chiricahua Peak. Our route will go by and to the Winn Falls Viewpoint where across extremely steep Cima Canyon we can see 365-foot-high Winn Falls, pictured above. Bring a headlamp just in case we get case weget caught coming down at night Note: The waterfall may or may not be flowing.

It is a 4 hour drive from EP to Portal, Arizona where we enter the wilderness beginning the hike near the Herb Martyr Campground. I will be camping here after the hike. THE CAMPGROUND is AT 5,800 FT. ELEVATION. IT WILL BE COLD AT NIGHT, SO PREPARE FOR THAT. No reservations necessary and the camping is free. You can sleep in your vehicle in the parking area or set-up a tent. Our driving route is via highway 9 going through Columbus and Hachita, NM. Please arrive with a full tank of gas! There are only two gas stations that we will pass by on our way to the trailhead. They are both far apart from each other.

Dogs are welcomed as long as they can do the mileage. You are responsible for the safety and well being of your dog. Please be sure that your dog is friendly with other dogs.

Those participants who want to, can spend the night at the nearby campground or elsewhere, and return home on Sunday instead of returning Saturday after the conclusion of the hike....your decision.

EP/LC hikers need to meet-up at the Kohls/Starbucks parking lot in west EP off of I-10/Redd Rd. at 5:30 am for carpooling. We will leave at 5:45 am sharp..... Please be on time.....If you carpool with someone please compensate the driver.

Participants should be in good physical condition to attend this outing. Folks with an underlying medical condition should avoid moderate and strenuous outings. Participants who RSVP yes also agree to the Release of Liability statement: https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-dWiUFgVP/about/

For safety reasons we hike together and support each-other as a group/team, with the leader in control. We stop, rest, eat, etc. together. No one will be allowed to hike ahead at any time. If you are unwilling to comply with this please do not sign up. Thank you

What to bring
Day-hike gear, water/sports drinks, headlamp, hiking poles, snacks, tent, jacket, sleeping bag, food, firewood.

Bring the 10 essentials:
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/day-hiking-checklist.html