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Dark Mesa and Dark Mesa Peak - 1 member in 5 triplogs has rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
5 triplogs
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Mar 28 2014
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 Guides 253
 Photos 6,930
 Triplogs 2,467

75 male
 Joined Nov 05 2008
 Cloudcroft, NM
Mineral Springs Trail #5579Southeast, NM
Mineral Springs Trail #5579
Southeast, NM
Hiking avatar Mar 28 2014
imike • Triplogs 2,467
Hiking15.40 Miles 4,800 AEG
Hiking15.40 Miles
4,800 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   7 linked trail guides
Dark Mesa and Dark Mesa Peak
Lost Trail - Lincoln NF
Little Mineral Springs Trail
Pipeline Road - Alamogordo
A Trail #119
Alamo Canyon Trail #104
Cave Canyon
Partners partners
tarryon
I forget What a great hike this loop is! Every time I introduce new hikers to this route they affirm the quality and variety. The Springs, Indian Wells, meadows, rocks, vistas... and the not too hard, not too easy nature of the loop. This was a great Friday group hike. Of course, Terri's Friday hikers were all off on a different hike, but that was nice too. It would be great if the calendar could fill in with lots of choices for everyone.

Finished after 11am for that first hit, started to do laps on the "A", but that was not inspiring. I moved over to the more difficult Cave Canyon and that did the trick. I quit a little short of the 5,000' goal but my focus is drifting ahead to April... I may fall a little short of the 150,000' goal this month as I get ready to try for the bigger month about to start.

The game/cattle trail up the ridge on the west side of Cave Canyon could be improved into a great training route up to Alamo Point (high north side over the mouth of Alamo Canyon). That would also give us a good path up to the Cave... and the connecting short loop around from Pock Rock up through Ross's Cut. That needs to happen!

Very good day out!
_____________________
Ageless Mind... Timeless Body... No Way! Use It and Lose It. Just the way it is...
 
Nov 09 2013
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 Guides 253
 Photos 6,930
 Triplogs 2,467

75 male
 Joined Nov 05 2008
 Cloudcroft, NM
Dark Mesa and Dark Mesa PeakSoutheast, NM
Dark Mesa and Dark Mesa Peak
Southeast, NM
Hiking avatar Nov 09 2013
imike • Triplogs 2,467
Hiking2.50 Miles 440 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles
440 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
Ageless Mind... Timeless Body... No Way! Use It and Lose It. Just the way it is...
 
Jul 19 2013
avatar

 Guides 253
 Photos 6,930
 Triplogs 2,467

75 male
 Joined Nov 05 2008
 Cloudcroft, NM
Lost Trail - Lincoln NFSoutheast, NM
Lost Trail - Lincoln NF
Southeast, NM
Hiking avatar Jul 19 2013
imike • Triplogs 2,467
Hiking11.00 Miles 2,100 AEG
Hiking11.00 Miles
2,100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Mineral Springs Trail #5579
Dark Mesa and Dark Mesa Peak
Dark Mesa Spur Trail
Little Mineral Springs Trail
Lost Trail Drainage North
Partners none no partners
Meetup outing,,, early to beat the heat
_____________________
Ageless Mind... Timeless Body... No Way! Use It and Lose It. Just the way it is...
 
Jun 02 2013
avatar

 Guides 253
 Photos 6,930
 Triplogs 2,467

75 male
 Joined Nov 05 2008
 Cloudcroft, NM
Dark Mesa Spur TrailSoutheast, NM
Dark Mesa Spur Trail
Southeast, NM
Hiking avatar Jun 02 2013
imike • Triplogs 2,467
Hiking9.00 Miles 2,300 AEG
Hiking9.00 Miles
2,300 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Mineral Springs Trail #5579
Little Mineral Springs Trail
Dark Mesa and Dark Mesa Peak
Partners none no partners
I needed an easier day.

Awake last night on the half hour… and that was after 2:30am when I first managed to drift off… but, out of bed before 6:30am… over to and on the trail before 7am. I thought I’d re-loop last weeks hike and snap some defining photos.

Then, that odd impulse to head off to where I have not yet been… or not been in a long time, so I dropped into Dark Mesa Canyon and started enjoying that bit of off trail up to the “real” Mineral Springs Trail (the part that is no longer a Jeep route). From there I did cut across and over to the Spur Trail for the pictures.

It looked as if the mountain bikers had been coming down Little Mineral Springs… made me wonder about a connecting spur from the top of that trail. So, up then off trail once again… rough route, but sort of nice. Not for bikes, but some potential for an upper looping connection to Mineral Springs above Dark Mesa Peak.

I got pics of the peak and the mesa, as planned… and oriented the full length of the Mineral Springs Canyon drainage below the cave (…the spring fills and flows out of a cave that has been dug back into the hill). I’d never realized that that drainage splits the Basin, not flowing into the Lost Trail nor the drainages north of Dark Mesa. Interesting.

I re-positioned an old forest service trail marker ½ mile over to the correct trail… it was the carbonite marker that once was bedded down near Indian Wells, where everyone parks. It had disappeared years ago… then earlier this year found it’s way half way up Little Mineral Springs trail. T5579... Mineral Springs Trail. I moved it higher up the route; ideally less prone to vandalism?

Lots of pics to edit… then I need to hit a Hotspot for the upload to HAZ.

Slow pace… cooler temps, and once it turned hot (sweat dripping off my arms and hands!) the soaked cotton T-shirt combined with a pleasant breeze to make it all just right.

Thunderstorms predicted for later today… Fire Danger high… but, they have yet to close the Forest. Gotta like that!
_____________________
Ageless Mind... Timeless Body... No Way! Use It and Lose It. Just the way it is...
 
May 24 2013
avatar

 Guides 253
 Photos 6,930
 Triplogs 2,467

75 male
 Joined Nov 05 2008
 Cloudcroft, NM
Lost Trail Drainage NorthSoutheast, NM
Lost Trail Drainage North
Southeast, NM
Canyoneering avatar May 24 2013
imike • Triplogs 2,467
Canyoneering9.00 Miles 2,600 AEG
Canyoneering9.00 Miles
2,600 ft AEG
Canyon Hiking - Non-technical; no rope; easy scrambling; occasional hand use
A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Lost Trail - Lincoln NF
Mineral Springs Trail and then Some
Dark Mesa and Dark Mesa Peak
Dark Mesa Spur Trail
Little Mineral Springs Trail
Partners none no partners
...early start, headed up and over to Dry Canyon, but on the way... both some energy issues and the thought of doing the dull, open Dry. And, I was staring up and over at the Dark Mesa, upper and lower. That had appeal. I made the looping turn to carry me over to access that ridge.

It was a very nice hike... cacti blooming... shadows on cliffs... much like walking in and through a private desert park.

I was surprised to find that the upper Mesa was really just a peak. Though surrounded by dark cliffs, it lacked the substance I was expecting to be the upper Mesa... and, it had a use trail directly off of the Mineral Springs Trail.

Next, dropping down and past the Springs, I followed the real trail route down to the next pass and found access to the lower Mesa easy. I looped around the Mesa, noticing what appeared to be yet another trail down below and heading off to the south... it proved to be a great connecting Spur trail over to Little Mineral Springs trail. It was in great shape and covered with cacti in full magenta bloom.

I exited LMS trail down at the Indian Wells, and went off trail over to Lost Trail Canyon, and looped back to my car in that drainage.

It was not the harder day planned, but it was a great outing. New stuff... that seems to be what keeps me going of late. Now, for some stupid reason I did not take my camera along. So, got to redo the loop...
_____________________
Ageless Mind... Timeless Body... No Way! Use It and Lose It. Just the way it is...
 

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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