Tularosa Basin Overlook Backpack, White Mountain Wilderness, NM

This is an overnight backpack into the beautiful White Mountain Wilderness north of Ruidoso, NM. We will hike up to the ridge overlook via the Big Bonito, Little Bonito and Phantom Trails. Our campsite will be near the cliff face overlooking the vast Tularosa Basin where the views stretch for miles. We will be near the forest service Spring Cabin location. This area was untouched by the recent fires.
The Tularosa Basin is a north-south geologic feature within the Rio Grande Rift zone about 150 miles long and 60 miles wide.

Backpack Rating: Easy to moderate
Length: Six miles total, 3 in and 3 out utilizing the same trails
Elevation Gain/Loss: 900 ft. Starting trailhead elevation is 7,800 ft.
Campsite is at 8,700 ft.
Fees: None
No dogs please
This backpack is suitable for beginners but please note the elevation gain.

Our water source will be the creeks, Big and Little Bonito or the intermittent spring located near Spring Cabin. The camp location has no water. Barring any fire restrictions we will have a campfire.

Please check the weather reports and prepare your gear accordingly. It can get windy at our camp location.

New to backpacking? Need help and advice? You are more than welcome to come to my house and discuss equipment and pack your backpack. Call me: Mike 915-443-8226

Meetup at the northeast El Paso Lowe's parking lot at 7am. We will leave at 7:15. Please have a full tank of gas. We will drive through Ruidoso and by Bonito Lake to our trailhead. The drive should be about 3 hours and 155 miles in length.

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.