Sierra Vista Trail Qualifying Hike #4 (The Northern Half of the SVT)

NOTE: The 29 Mile Sierra Vista Trail 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 the 29 Mile Sierra Vista Trail hike to Feb 21, 2026 instead.

NEW INFORMATION ***** NEW INFORMATION ***** NEW INFORMATION
ATTENTION: I'm changing the finish of this hike from Pena Blanca to "Vado Parking Area." The reason for this is two fold: 1) You may reach it on paved road all the way except the last 50 ft; 2) The original route was only 10 miles. The new end "Vado Parking Area" adds 5 miles to this hike so total hike will be about 15 miles. You can plug the words "Vado Parking Area" (without quotes) into Maps and it will take you right there. Note also that on the 29 Mile SVT the check point will also be changed from Pena Blanca to the Vado location noted.

I would encourage everyone planning on participating in the 29 Mile Sierra Vista Trail hike to also make this hike a high priority. It will familiarize each of us to particulars of the northern half of the Sierra Vista Trail; including places to park, and how to get to the Vado Parking Area Trailhead (which is about the half-way point on the Sierra Vista Trail). Vado Parking Area Trailhead is the end of this hike.

Goal: Yet another qualifying hike for the 29 Mile SVT Hike; or another training exercise. We will complete the first half of the 29 mile hike (about 15 miles). I also highly recommend we all do this hike to get familiar with that part of the trail.
The Date/Time: Sunday February 8, 2026. We start at 8:00AM
Start: The Dripping Springs Rd. Trailhead [32.323234, -106.630457] for the Sierra Vista Trail. This is the northern half of the trail and the trailhead is located about 7 to 7.5 miles from I-10 Freeway on the south side of Dripping Springs Rd. It is all paved to the trailhead.
Finish: The end of QH#4 is at Vado Parking Area Trailhead [32.13794809639385, -106.60557727360286] almost 2.5 miles from the Vado/I-10 Freeway on High Valley Rd. Here you can make it with a regular car with no trouble.

The following links are to the 29 mile Sierra Vista Hike on Feb 21, 2026 and other relevant/related links: First link is to the Borderlands site hikes & the second to the Jornada Hiking and Outdoor Club site hikes.

Borderlands Links:

1. The 29 Mile Sierra Vista Trail (in one day), Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 6:00 AM | Meetup
2. Sierra Vista Trail Qualifying Hike #1 (at "A" Mountain), Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 8:00 AM | Meetup
3. Sierra Vista Trail Qualifying Hike #2 (at "A" Mountain), Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 8:00 AM | Meetup
4. Sierra Vista Trail Qualifying Hike #3 (Southern Half of the Sierra Vista Trail), Sat, Jan 24, 2026, 8:00 AM | Meetup
5. The Las Cruces Urban Iditarod, Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 8:00 AM | Meetup

Jornada Hiking and Outdoor Club Link:

1. The 29 Mile Sierra Vista Trail (in one day), Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 6:00 AM | Meetup
2. Sierra Vista Trail Qualifying Hike #1 (at "A" Mountain), Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 8:00 AM | Meetup
3. Sierra Vista Trail Qualifying Hike #2 (at "A" Mountain), Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 8:00 AM | Meetup
4. Sierra Vista Trail Qualifying Hike #3 (Southern Half of the Sierra Vista Trail), Sat, Jan 24, 2026, 8:00 AM | Meetup
5. The Las Cruces Urban Iditarod, Sat, Mar 7, 2026, 8:00 AM | Meetup

Borderland Outdoors 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.