Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop • Hike • New Mexico • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

login for filter options

Jan 31 2024

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 991
Photos 12,084
Triplogs 866

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Pine Tree Loop, NM

Hiking		Jan 31 2024
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 866

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

Linked

linked

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Partners

partners

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

_____________________

May 05 2018

rwstorm

Guides 1
Routes 136
Photos 22,415
Triplogs 1,041

77 male

Joined Feb 28 2003
Tucson, AZ

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Southwest, NM

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Southwest, NM

Hiking		May 05 2018
		rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041

Hiking	4.41 Miles	1,239 AEG

Hiking	4.41 Miles	4 Hrs 38 Mns	1.24 mph
	1,239 ft AEG	1 Hour 5 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

This is a terrific little hike in the Organ Mountains. The trailhead is in Aguirre Springs Campground. It features lots of big trees and great views. A long time favorite of mine.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Apache Plume

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Baylor Peak Rabbit Ears

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

Mar 08 2017

The_Whit

Routes 78
Photos 12
Triplogs 182

44 female

Joined Mar 12 2015
Phoenix

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Southwest, NM

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Southwest, NM

Hiking		Mar 08 2017
		The_Whit • Triplogs 182

Hiking	2.00 Miles	550 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles
	550 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

My family camped at the Aquirre Springs Campground, just east of Las Cruces in Organ, New Mexico. It was close to dusk when my girls got the bug to explore the nearest hiking trail. This is a beautiful scenic route overlooking the valleys and desert below the Organ mountains. There were small patches of snow still nestled in the rocks near the top of the mountain and there was plenty of water run-off and streams to cross along the trail. We had to cut the hike short (turned around halfway) as twilight approached and my youngest daughter wasn't prepared to complete the entire loop. Beautiful piece of country.

_____________________

Jan 03 2014

imike

Guides 253
Photos 6,930
Triplogs 2,467

75 male

Joined Nov 05 2008
Cloudcroft, NM

Terri's Friday Hike, NM

Hiking		Jan 03 2014
		imike • Triplogs 2,467

Hiking	4.00 Miles	1,339 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles	3 Hrs 30 Mns	1.14 mph
	1,339 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Partners

partners

tarryon

Drove over and hiked the Pine Trees Loop in the BLM Campground on the East side of the Organ Mountains... guess I'll have to write up a description!

Terri, Leah, Nancy and Dave shared the day... nice outing.

Need to confirm AEG...

I'll post pics later... full album at:

https://plus.google.com/photos/11748554 ... 4345988913

_____________________

Ageless Mind... Timeless Body... No Way! Use It and Lose It. Just the way it is...

Apr 09 2012

rwstorm

Guides 1
Routes 136
Photos 22,415
Triplogs 1,041

77 male

Joined Feb 28 2003
Tucson, AZ

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Southwest, NM

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Southwest, NM

Hiking		Apr 09 2012
		rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041

Hiking	4.50 Miles	1,200 AEG

Hiking	4.50 Miles
	1,200 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Organ Mountains Wilderness Study Area Trails

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Partners

none

no partners

A very scenic loop hike on the northern side of the Organ Mountains east of Las Cruces. The trailhead is at Aguirre Spring Campground, not far from where I camped for two nights. Trailhead is at about 5700 feet and the high point of this one is around 6900 feet. I did the loop clockwise. As you get higher up great views of the Tularosa Basin and White Sands Missile Range are enjoyed, as well as the always impressive jagged ridgeline of the Organ Needles above you. These mountains experienced a pretty large fire last year, some of which burned through the hike area. On the return part of the loop a large firebreak was cut to keep the fire from spreading further northwest.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Ornate Tree Lizard

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

_____________________

3 archives

Apr 08 2012

rwstorm

Guides 1
Routes 136
Photos 22,415
Triplogs 1,041

77 male

Joined Feb 28 2003
Tucson, AZ

Organ Mountains, NM

Car Camping		Apr 08 2012
		rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041

Car Camping

Car Camping		3 Days

no routes

Linked

linked

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Partners

none

no partners

Decided I wanted to camp a couple nights at Aguirre Spring Campground on the northeast side of the Organ Mountains. Since it was Easter weekend I knew it would be busy everywhere, so I left Tucson Sunday. When I arrived at the campground around 4 PM, it was jammed with families, but after hanging around talking with the BLM rangers for about an hour, things cleared out rapidly. Only a few folks besides me camped Sunday and Monday.

This is a very nice campground at a price that can't be beat: $3/night! Note..effective May 1, 2012 the fee increases to $5/vehicle for day use and $7/vehicle for camping. Still a bargain. The campground has a strict gate policy. It is opened at 8 AM and closed at 7 PM from April through September (5 PM from October through March). This helps keep things rather peaceful.

Since you are very close to the White Sands Missile Range headquarters, the sound of reveille and taps bugle calls can be heard, which I found kind of cool. The only other thing that was occasionally noticeable was the sound of the drones flying around the area.

There are two hiking trails available from the campground: Baylor Pass and Pine Tree. I did Pine Tree Monday before heading into town to get more ice and stop for some very good Mexican food at Habaneros Fresh Mex (chef Felix does it right!).

After two pleasant nights camping, I stopped for breakfast Tuesday at Andele! in Mesilla (another of my favorites), before heading home. As always, it was another fine time in the Las Cruces area. :y:

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cliff Fendlerbush Desert Onion Tansyleaf Spine Aster

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Camp-fire

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Organ Mountains

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Moon

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

_____________________

Nov 04 2006

rwstorm

Guides 1
Routes 136
Photos 22,415
Triplogs 1,041

77 male

Joined Feb 28 2003
Tucson, AZ

Las Cruces Weekend, NM

Car Camping		Nov 04 2006
		rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041

Car Camping

Car Camping

no routes

Linked

linked

Aguirre Springs - Pine Tree Trail Loop

Partners

none

no partners

Weekend trip to attend the Renaissance ArtsFaire at Young Park and camp at Aguirre Springs. We also hiked the Pine Tree Trail and visited the La Cueva area over by Dripping Springs on the west side of the mountains to check out the Hermit's Cave, where he was found murdered. I was starting to get into the history of the Hermit (of Hermit Peak fame in Las Vegas, New Mexico) at this time. We also stopped at the Mesilla Cemetery to look for his grave (which we did not find). The pecan trees around Mesilla were looking good with fall color. Always a fun time in Las Cruces!

_____________________

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.

username		X
password		X