A climb to a magnificent peak with hiking buddy Crepuscular Ray from Tucson in 2004. We camped the night before at Oak Grove Campground at 8400 feet, only a few miles from the trailhead. The trail starts at the Ski Apache ski area and heads in a generally southerly direction to the summit.

Sierra Blanca is just shy of 12,000 feet at 11981. The mountain has a powerful presence and stands out for miles from most directions. It has the greatest prominence of any peak in the state, rising nearly 8000 feet above the adjacent Tularosa Basin and White Sands.

The hike is not difficult and rewards you with wonderful views. The weather was perfect on our day up.