The 29 Mile Sierra Vista Trail (in one day)

NOTE: This hike was originally planned for Mar 21, 2026. That is the date of the Bataan Memorial Marathon. I asked their planning committee if they could move their race. They said no! So, I moved this hike to Feb 21, 2026 instead.

Since we will likely end the hike in the dark, I would encourage everyone planning on participating in the 29 Mile Sierra Vista Trail hike to make QH#3 a high priority. It will familiarize us all to the particulars of the southern half of the Sierra Vista Trail; including places to park at the end for pickup.

The Goal: Complete the 29 mile hike of the Sierra Vista Trail in one day (Note: This is NOT a race. If running this trail AS A RACE is your thing signup for the race on March 7 instead)
The Date/Time: February 21, 2026. We start hiking at 6AM
Start: (32.323234, -106.630457) The North End of the Sierra Vista Trail on Dripping Springs Rd. About 7 miles east of I-10 at University Ave in Las Cruces.
Finish: (32.011588, -106.519041) The South End of the Sierra Vista Trail on Highway 404 (O'Hara Rd). Just 4 miles east of Dona Ana Community College. NOTE: This location is at a cattle guard where you may enter through the highway fencing. Then proceed between the two chain-link fenced areas of the exposed Natural Gas Pipelines to co-ordinates 32.012649, -106.523565 called Anthony Gap on Maps. Do not use the Anthony Gap co-ordinates first as it will take you on an extra 7 miles out of the way. It will still get you there but get to the Finish co-ordinates first then enter the second set (Anthony Gap) to get to final destination where we intend to meet with the hikers.

Hike Qualification: Hikers are required to qualify for the hike by attending at least 2-3 of approximately 6 hikes, that I will be posting between now and mid-March.

Long Distance Hikers: (runners are welcome)
This is a long-distance hike where each of you are responsible for yourself for the duration of the hike (attend at your own risk). That includes getting to the hike, the hike itself, and the pickup until you reach home. I am only trying to get enough hikers to start together at the north end.

Other related activities can be:
1. A party (a week or two after the hike) to celebrate the completed 29 mile hike (complete with award ceremony)
2. Going out to eat somewhere after each qualifying hike
3. Also take a look at the Urban Iditarod Hike on March 7th for a real urban hiking adventure that is a satire on the legendary Alaskan 1000 mile dog sled race.
The Las Cruces Urban Iditarod, Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 8:00 AM | Meetup
4. etc. … make some suggestions

I will have a vehicle at the 15 mile mark (Vado Parking Area). (It is 2.5 miles east of I-10 to the trail from the Vado exit called the Vado Parking Area on Maps and it is paved all the way). I would like one more vehicle there if you would like to volunteer or know someone who can help perform this task. The plan is to have drinkable water there to refill your hiking water supply; or if a hiker were to opt out of the hike, at this point, one of the vehicles would provide transportation to the Finish or Start of hike (note: the hiker opting out, may have to await departure until 2 or more hikers have opted out and is convenient for vehicle to make that trip. One vehicle will be at the 15 mile mark at all times until last hiker has passed that spot 1 hour previous). That’s all. There will be no further services except for whomever will be picking you up at the Finish. The main take is: you really need to be able to hike 15 miles in a timely manner. Then decide for yourself if you can finish the hike. The folks at the 15 mile mark will be checking off hikers as they go by. Be sure your name is recorded as reaching the checkpoint before moving on.

Note: The midway stop on this hike has changed to the Vado Parking Area Trailhead. For the official Sierra Vista Trail brochure and more information about the trail, including map, use the following link Sierra Vista Trail | Bureau of Land Management go to "Brochures" near bottom right of page.

You may want to have your driver pick you up at this trailhead if the entire hike is not your cup-of-tea, as it were.

I recommend:

1. Calling 911 or 1-800-637-9152 if you cannot make any of the vehicle access points during the 29 mile hike.
2. Hiking in small groups.
3. Not driving yourself home after the hike.
4. Carpooling between yourselves with a non-hiking driver that can also pick you up.
5. Maintaining that scheme in attending the required 2-3 minimum qualifying hikes.
6. Attending all Qualifying Hikes as training exercises. Starting to train in February or even January is not a good plan. You should be hiking regularly in order to minimize difficulty of the 29 mile hike. Hiking 2-3 times a week at five (or more) miles per hike over uneven terrain is probably the minimum hiking you should be doing as training. (Voice your opinion in the comments section)
7. Layering your clothes. A start of 6am in late March probably means we are starting at a temperature near freezing. Be prepared.
8. Carrying 3 liters or 3 quarts of water each. You can refill at the 15 mile mark, the Vado Parking Area Trailhead. You now only have only 15 miles to Finish.
9. Two of the qualifying hikes planned are to each be a hike of about half the Sierra Vista trail, on the Sierra Vista trail. One of the hikes will be the northern part, the other is of the southern part.
10. Attending the Urban Iditarod in Las Cruces on March 7, 2026. Briefly, it will be a fun 6 or7 mile dog sled hike through the urban Las Cruces area. You should be in a team where there are 5 persons per team. However, strays are welcome. Each team dresses up as a type of dog with a theme, and pulls a dog sled (e.g., a red flyer wagon, a chariot, a baby carriage or other small cart you put together for this purpose). Keep an eye out for this fun urban hike.
11. Please provide constructive comments in the comments section or DM me directly. All comments will be viewed and responded to.

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