HikeArizona.COM

Hike the prominent peak up north of Sierra Blanca at the north end of the Tularosa Basin. About 10 miles and 2800', and maybe a camp out at the bottom? Meet in Alamogordo and drive up, or meet a little later at the hiking destination/ maybe camping spot?

The summit is 9615', and it should be an interesting little hike.

Might be a nice hike for May or June, when camping and hiking are more comfortable. ;)

Well, I understand if folks don't want to come over from the Valley or near Tucson. It is still nice and balmy there, and cold haters such as myself are jealous of that. However, this is New Mexico, a high desert with cold winter temps, so it's just seasonal hiking weather. I'm quite disappointed by the cold, but I checked the Flagstaff weather (where it was +8 last night), and Kayenta/ Monument Valley, UT H.S. (where it was 19 last night) and I guess it isn't that cold here. Still, the high has only been in the mid 40s here. Brrrr....it should moderate, and unless there is snow, it should be alright during the day. The peak is only in the mid-9,000' range, so it won't be bad. Camping is an idea, but not required. With the short days, if I camp out, I expect to have a warm fire for a good length of the night.

Jim... that trailhead appears to have an east side access... do you know what the correct route would be and the condition of the access roads? It starts at a very high altitude... AEG appears to come from ups and downs...

According to SP, if you can get up to the trailhead, 10 miles and 28,000'. It may be more, if starting lower. The further out, the better the road.

Jim_H wrote:According to SP, if you can get up to the trailhead, 10 miles and 28,000'. It may be more, if starting lower. The further out, the better the road.

Should be 2,800', eh?

Oh, off by a factor of 10. Well, you can't win them all.

sounds like you may need a high clearance vehicle to drive the last five or so miles... could make for slow going? Peak does sound like a nice outing, but with these short days you may be rushing with the later start?

11 new inches at the now open Ski Apache, and even with half that amount, I prefer to skip a new trail I have never been up before, and with reports of dead fall across the trail as well near zero trail use, I will cancel. I can easily get elevation on Ortega Peak, and hoped to do Carrizo Peak before the snow, but having snow and canceling is fine, too.

My resolution is to hike 500 miles in 2013. That's it.