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| Picacho Peak-BLM Las Cruces, NM | |
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| | Picacho Peak-BLM Las Cruces, NM | | | |
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Picacho Peak-BLM Las Cruces, NM
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| no partners | | A bit of unfinished business for me in the Las Cruces area was to see if I could figure out how to get to the trail up to Picacho Peak (or Picacho Mountain if you like). I had done this hike many years ago (2011) and knew that getting to the trailhead area was bit confusing. Plus, the best access is through the Picacho Hills subdivision, and there are a lot more homes there now than in 2011. So, I wasn't sure if there would be access issues. Turns out getting to the BLM staging area for this hike is the same as back then.  In April when I was there, I tried reaching the spot from Box Canyon Road, which is higher up on the mesa to the west and skirts the east edge of the Las Cruces airport. I wasn't able that trip to figure out how I got there in the past, so just bailed on the effort and figured I would try from Picacho Hills next time (this trip).
I parked and hiked down the trail into the wash to do a little exploring, and could see hikers in the distance on the way up to the peak. On my way back up to the parking area, I heard voices and it turned out to be a group of hikers about to head up to the peak. Better them than me, as it was pushing 11 AM and pretty warm with no shade.  Their vehicles had Texas plates, so I figured it was a meetup group or something from El Paso. They asked me to take a group photo of them, then they were on their way. 
As I was driving out I was encountered a BLM ranger who was out making the rounds. I told him what I was doing and asked if there was still a way to drop down to this location from the road by the airport, and he said yes (along the power line), but it can be a bit dicey in spots depending on weather, etc. I also asked him about any access issues as the subdivision grows, and he didn't expect there to be, as this area is very popular with mountain bikers and hikers. It is confusing going through there with very little signage, so if you go be prepared and persistent. 
This area is a part of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, which is administered by the BLM Las Cruces District Office. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful, dramatic region, with the crown jewel being the Organ Mountains of course!
National Monument info:
https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files ... 508%29.pdf
Driving directions to get to Picacho Peak TH:
https://www.blm.gov/visit/picacho-peak-recreation-area |
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