Shark’s Tooth Peak (off trail hike)

Type: Out and back
Mileage: 6 miles (estimated) ⚠️
Estimated time to complete: 4-6 hours⚠️
Elevation: 2,350 ft gain/loss⚠️
Difficultly: intermediate / strenuous⚠️

Shark’s tooth is the peak in the center of the photo

This is a strenuous scramble and NOT A BEGINNER HIKE. Attentive map readers will observe that very little of that gain comes at the beginning of the hike. Consequently, the end game is an exercise in geologic “shock and awe”. In close company with cacti, ocotillo and sotol, scramblers find themselves kicking steps into a scree surface over steep terrain. The rewards come in the last quarter mile. Having gained good footing on the ridge top, you’ll find precipitous views north into the basaltic wonderland surrounding Baldy and Organ Peak and long views south across the Organ Mountains all the way to Bishop’s Cap.
This route is not for beginners. On USGS maps Shark’s Tooth is identified only with an altitude label, “point 7974”.

Note: There is a knife edge that will require a butt scoot across the edge. Do not sign up if you do not feel comfortable doing this.

We will meet at the Kohl’s/Starbucks off Red Road on the west side at 6:15 a.m. and leave sharply at 6:30 a.m. 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. I will leave at 7:30 am to the trailhead. We will begin hiking at 8 a.m. Please meet at Soledad Canyon Trailhead.

This is NOT a DOG FRIENDLY TRAIL. No dogs allowed.

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
Bring the 10 essentials located under the "What we're about" heading.