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Just Nice... by imike Unlike so many of the routes that climb up into the Organ Mountains, this trail is pleasant, easier, diverse... and it takes you all the way over the ridge to the other side. In this range that is not an easy thing to accomplish. The elevations given orient from the east side of the range in the BLM camping park area. In fact, if you are hiking up and over the pass, and down the west side, to get back to your car you need to plan on descending to the 4900' mark... which means you will have to climb back up over 1400'. There are some rolling ups and downs... so... 12 miles and over 2300' of Accumulated Elevation Gain for the out and back, no matter which side of the mountain you park on, if you do the entire trail. There are some benches to enjoy along the way, and near the top a rustic camping area. The access from the BLM side requires a parking fee. The parking area from the west side of the mountain, off Baylor Canyon Road is still free. The trail offers great vista views of the surrounding peaks, winding you along and underneath the massive spires of the Rabbit Ears. It is a nice trail. Be aware of the seasonal parking hours for the BLM section: 8am to 5pm in the Winter... expanding to 7pm after March. If you are going for a later start, or planning to be slow... or late, consider accesses from the west side of the mountain. To reach the East side access: follow Highway 70 to just below the San Augustin Pass on the east side, and turn into the signed entry for the Aquirre Springs Recreation Area. Follow the paved road up and into the one way loop portion, and look to your right for the trailhead sign. There is a sign in log and a self serve fee station. If you miss those, stop at the next fee station just up the road; that one is very obvious. You can pay and park up there by the rest rooms, walking the short distance back down to the trail head. If you want to start your hike from the Las Cruces side of the mountain, simply follow Baylor Canyon Rd south off of the Highway 70 road. Check out the Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Baylor Pass
I had a work trip out to El Paso and Las Cruces, great chance for a hike! I had done the Baylor Pass trail a few years ago and enjoyed it, but inclement weather kept me from getting in the peak as well. Rain threatened again this time, but it just stayed cloudy with a few scattered sprinkles. I parked at the west side trailhead about 4 in the afternoon to begin my adventure. The Baylor Pass trail is in really good condition, nice consistent elevation gain to the pass with nothing too steep. Great trail through Oaks and Sotols, very little bloom yet since it is a bit early in the year. The trail to the peak is a bit faint in spots, but pretty easy to follow until you get to the first false summit. From here, it is rock hopping and picking your way over to the peak. There is about 1300' of gain in 0.8 miles, so it is good and steep for sure. This route was completely non-technical, but there were some spots where it was helpful to use my hands to keep going. Definitely not a trail for those that have a fear of heights...I took a quick break up top, but the wind was howling. I was in my usual hiking gear, t-shirt and shorts, so I headed back down before getting too cold. Caught a great sunset on the way out, and there was a bunch of yellow evening Primrose that had opened up and bloomed by the time I got back to my car. Great hike if you are in the area!
2015-03-18 The_Dude
Baylor Pass
Work took me to El Paso and Las Cruces, so once again a New Mexico hike started looking pretty nice... 
The Organ Mountains have a great profile from the interstate, but there are some nice lush areas in there to surprise you! I hiked from the west side trailhead over to the east side of the pass and back. I had thought about trying a scramble up to Baylor Peak, which certainly looks doable, but there was a pretty quick storm moving in from the east. I got to watch the White Sands Missle Base get pounded by some rain from my vantage, and I ended up getting caught in the fringe of the rain on the way out as it was. Great temps, I started out about 4:30 and it could not have been much higher than 82 degrees. Insect life everywhere, thankfully no gnats or mosquitoes, but I did see a few tarantulas, thousands of ant and beetles, butterflies, moths, even a wily centipede. I am always amazed to see such beautiful Sotols in habitat, and not turned into pineapples like are so common in the Phoenix landscape.
The Organ Mountains have a great profile from the interstate, but there are some nice lush areas in there to surprise you! I hiked from the west side trailhead over to the east side of the pass and back. I had thought about trying a scramble up to Baylor Peak, which certainly looks doable, but there was a pretty quick storm moving in from the east. I got to watch the White Sands Missle Base get pounded by some rain from my vantage, and I ended up getting caught in the fringe of the rain on the way out as it was. Great temps, I started out about 4:30 and it could not have been much higher than 82 degrees. Insect life everywhere, thankfully no gnats or mosquitoes, but I did see a few tarantulas, thousands of ant and beetles, butterflies, moths, even a wily centipede. I am always amazed to see such beautiful Sotols in habitat, and not turned into pineapples like are so common in the Phoenix landscape.2013-09-19 The_Dude
