Route Editor
Route Scout
Is It Worth the Effort? by imike For years this interesting looking peak, straddling the ridge between Alamo Canyon and Caballero Canyon, stood out as an inviting destination. It's just so cute! Unfortunately, there was no decent approach from the Alamogordo side of the mountains. More often it was topped at the end of some long day wherein the hikers chose to end the day coming down the Aqueduct Ridge trail, with the not so pleasant Via Ferrata over the cliffs. Hugging that 12" pipe can be a "less than" experience at the end of a long day. Now, all that has changed. There is a nice path leading up from the Canyon bottom. Pyramid Peak can easily be approached and/or included in some very interesting connecting loops. The Pipe Springs Spur Trail makes all the difference! It is always nice to score a peak, and this one does not disappoint. It has a 360 degree view, overlooking all of the Alamo Canyon and Caballero Canyon range, including good perspectives on The Mesa, Hershberger Peak, Purgatory Ridge, Purgatory Cliffs, Roundup Grounds, Roundup Cliffs....and more! A great hike is to approach the Spur Trail along the Roundup Cliffs route... they begin and end at nearly the same spot down in Alamo Canyon. Return down the Spur trail and complete the loop descending Alamo Canyon Trail (t104), or if you need a bit more of a hit, loop over the Roundup Grounds Trail (t107). Again, the upper trailhead is right across the canyon bottom from the Spur Trail. You can even take the time to experience the ride down the pipeline. Everyone should enjoy that at least once! So, no longer just a high point in passing... this peak is available. Note: your mileage and elevation gains will be determined by which route you choose to access the Peak. 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
Pyramid Peak - Lincoln NF
Luster and Darrel... amble on a rainy day. Up and around Roundup Cliffs Trail... down and across Pipe Springs Trail (no more springs! Pipe disconnected from city water line!) Along Pipeline Ridge to old roadbed down into Caballero Canyon... and down and out back to Alamo Canyon. Intermittent rain all day, but not too bad.
Wet rocks made for augmented colors; we plan to go back in for a Rock Hound day to collect.
Wet rocks made for augmented colors; we plan to go back in for a Rock Hound day to collect.
2017-08-20 imike
Pyramid Peak - Lincoln NF
Pyramid Peak via Pipe Springs
Wednesday... the day to meet up with hiking partners to enjoy "A" trail. Today I thought it would go to Ortega Peak, but Terri canceled out. I still headed up at 6am, but instead of continuing to the top I looped back down to see if Unchip might show up at her old time. Another no show. Instead of heading back up the hill, I decided to head over to Alamo Canyon and redo Roundup Cliffs from the lower trailhead, then see if there really was a good route up to Pyramid Peak.
It was an interesting day. I made sure I had enough fluids along (did not want a repeat of last Friday!) 168 oz... should do the job.
The cliffs portion was great... I took the time to more carefully document the various highpoints and to document the side canyons flowing into Alamo Canyon (more exploratory hikes to do!) I think I'll add the Cliffs trail into my maintenance schedule... it is a great route; nice to have some of the trail slightly improved.
Dropping down into the upper portion of Alamo Canyon I crossed up to the bench where Lower Pipe Springs flowed. I waded through the cattle... and once at the tank began to look up canyon for the game trail I'd spotted last week. My eye caught on a cattle track moving around and out of the canyon, but with an upward angle. Checking it out, I discovered it did go up... instead of steeply climbing towards the cliffs like the game trail in the canyon, it gave a softer loop around and out of the canyon, then over and back into the canyon... above the cliffs! It was an easy walk into the canyon proper, then across and out the other side. Once onto the lower ridge slopes I intersected the water pipe that carried flow from Upper Pipe Springs down to Lower Pipe Springs. The route became very easy from that point on: follow the ABS pipe!
At the springs I intersected the roadway that is Aquaduct Ridge Trail... and took it over to Pyramid Peak. On top of the peak I enjoyed the panoramic views... and took ten shots with my camera that together would form a 360 presentation.
So... there was a good route to the Ridge... and it did start where I thought after spotting the game trail... it simply was not what I thought it would be... it was better.
I looped back to the truck along the bottom of Alamo Canyon... shooting pictures of the mouths of all the side canyons... thinking about hitting each of those over the coming month. It just stays good.
Drank all of the fluids plus another 75 oz once back home!
GPS Stuff:
T104 Trailhead...(4650')
.64 mile T107 Trailhead (4836')
1.08 mile Roundup Cliff Bench (5162')
1.40 mile Falls (5285')
2.34 mile T103/T104 (5510')
2.80 mile High point (5546')
2.94 mile High point (5581')
3.00 mile T107/Cliffs (5550')
3.29 mile T107 Trailhead (5364')
3.35 mile Lower Pipeline Springs (5390')
3.86 mile Upper Pipeline Springs (5690')
4.45 mile Pyramid Peak (6140')
It was an interesting day. I made sure I had enough fluids along (did not want a repeat of last Friday!) 168 oz... should do the job.
The cliffs portion was great... I took the time to more carefully document the various highpoints and to document the side canyons flowing into Alamo Canyon (more exploratory hikes to do!) I think I'll add the Cliffs trail into my maintenance schedule... it is a great route; nice to have some of the trail slightly improved.
Dropping down into the upper portion of Alamo Canyon I crossed up to the bench where Lower Pipe Springs flowed. I waded through the cattle... and once at the tank began to look up canyon for the game trail I'd spotted last week. My eye caught on a cattle track moving around and out of the canyon, but with an upward angle. Checking it out, I discovered it did go up... instead of steeply climbing towards the cliffs like the game trail in the canyon, it gave a softer loop around and out of the canyon, then over and back into the canyon... above the cliffs! It was an easy walk into the canyon proper, then across and out the other side. Once onto the lower ridge slopes I intersected the water pipe that carried flow from Upper Pipe Springs down to Lower Pipe Springs. The route became very easy from that point on: follow the ABS pipe!
At the springs I intersected the roadway that is Aquaduct Ridge Trail... and took it over to Pyramid Peak. On top of the peak I enjoyed the panoramic views... and took ten shots with my camera that together would form a 360 presentation.
So... there was a good route to the Ridge... and it did start where I thought after spotting the game trail... it simply was not what I thought it would be... it was better.
I looped back to the truck along the bottom of Alamo Canyon... shooting pictures of the mouths of all the side canyons... thinking about hitting each of those over the coming month. It just stays good.
Drank all of the fluids plus another 75 oz once back home!
GPS Stuff:
T104 Trailhead...(4650')
.64 mile T107 Trailhead (4836')
1.08 mile Roundup Cliff Bench (5162')
1.40 mile Falls (5285')
2.34 mile T103/T104 (5510')
2.80 mile High point (5546')
2.94 mile High point (5581')
3.00 mile T107/Cliffs (5550')
3.29 mile T107 Trailhead (5364')
3.35 mile Lower Pipeline Springs (5390')
3.86 mile Upper Pipeline Springs (5690')
4.45 mile Pyramid Peak (6140')
2013-05-01 imike
