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Tortugas Mountain - 1 member in 3 triplogs has rated this an average 2 ( 1 to 5 best )
3 triplogs
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Dec 05 2013
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 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Tortugas MountainSouthwest, NM
Southwest, NM
Hiking avatar Dec 05 2013
JimTriplogs 2,324
Hiking0.75 Miles 670 AEG
Hiking0.75 Miles      35 Mns   1.29 mph
670 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
In the area coming back from El Paso and decided to hike Las Cruces's "A Trail", up past their A to the top of the hill. Short and fast, with good views of the Organs, and some rain on the way down.
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Dec 23 2012
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 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Tortugas MountainSouthwest, NM
Southwest, NM
Hiking avatar Dec 23 2012
JimTriplogs 2,324
Hiking0.75 Miles 670 AEG
Hiking0.75 Miles      50 Mns   0.90 mph
670 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This time I parked at the Sunset Trailhead and took the primary trail to the summit.
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Dec 04 2012
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 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Tortugas MountainSouthwest, NM
Southwest, NM
Hiking avatar Dec 04 2012
JimTriplogs 2,324
Hiking1.50 Miles 520 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles      45 Mns   2.00 mph
520 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Drove to Las Cruces. No time to do anything real in the Organ Mountains (Las Cruces's only real location for serious local hiking) but I hit the small hill known as Tortugas Mountain. I ran into it coming down from the Dripping Springs area and noticed the BLM recreation sign that is on the east side (west side is lower and give you more elevation), and so parked there and hiked up the main eastern gully, which has a well maintained trail running up it. Hiked by the old observatory and up to a concrete pad. Chatted with a guy from Colorado who is living in Las Cruces and spotted the Franklin Mountains south by El Paso, TX. Remarkable how flat southern New Mexico is between the river and pretty much as far as the eye could see in the setting sun (which is basically the horizon). The only exceptions are the barren "Florida Mountains" south of Deming, NM, and the Gila NF ranges well north of I-10.
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Rhyolite
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average hiking speed 1.4 mph

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.

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