Pine Tree Loop Photoset • markthurman53 • 2024-01-31 • HikeArizona.COM

Pine Tree Loop, NM

	2024-01-31
	16 by markthurman53

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Pine Tree Loop, NM

Hiking	4.58 Miles	1,078 AEG

Hiking	4.58 Miles	3 Hrs 34 Mns	1.32 mph
	1,078 ft AEG	6 Mns Break

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Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

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mamakatt22

On our second day in Las Cruces we headed back over the Organ Mountains and hiked the Pine Tree Loop Trail. I have traveled over these mountains many times and was always fascinated by them, now I will get to see them close up. The Pine Tree Loop is a 5 mile trail that heads up to the pines just below the jagged ridge. Good hike with great views overlooking the Tularosa Basin, with White Sands and the White Sands Missile Range. With about 1200 feet of accumulated elevation gain We were quite sore after the hike (Too much Lubbock life). After the hike we stopped in on the base to visit the Missile Museum, interesting but not worth the hassle of getting on base. I was on this base 27 years ago when I got to witness a test firing of the Block IVA standard missile that I had worked on. I was impressed by the organ Mountains even back then especially with the Sonic booms echoing off the mountains behind us.

We did the trail in a CCW direction which I think is the best way because the return trip seems to be a more gradual descent. The trail is well marked and maintained and appears to get a lot of use. We encountered about a half dozen people on the trail. I was amazed at how high up the trail goes, just below the rocky ridge summit, much higher up and it would require rock climbing. Good views of the Rabbit Ears and Sugarloaf Peak, the Tularosa Basin with White Sands and the White Sands Missile Range. Anvil Creek and Sotol Creek had a trickle of water on the upper end. If you are in the area I recommend this hike. I heard there is a trail that goes to Sugarloaf Peak but have not found a route for it and it is not listed on the maps at the campground. There is a 5 dollar fee per car for access to the trails. If you hike up from Baylor Pass on the west side of the mountain there is no fee but it would add 12 mile to a round trip hike (depends how bad you want to save 5 dollars.)

	Anvil Creek	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	Upper end of creek

	Sotol Creek	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	Upper end of creek

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