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Ascend the foothills to winding, remote singletrack just below Horse Ridge to a natural spring.


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Map Key

3.1

Miles

5.0

KM

Point to Point

6,088' 1,856 m

High

4,633' 1,412 m

Low

1,474' 449 m

Up

19' 6 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

26%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Views · Wildlife

Parking at NMSU-A or on the road are the only close options. I have parked here many times without any trouble but am unaware as to the restrictions. There is also a area where others park at the intersection of Indian Wells and Scenic Dr.

Description

This trail starts with a moderate ascent on very rocky doubletrack for about 1.5 miles. Once you gain the ridge, you'll begin the singletrack section that continues to climb but more resembles traditional hiking or running trails that switchback through the canyon and up toward the ridge.

Around mile 1.5, you top out on a cliff with great views then turn left back toward the drainage. There is a thicket of tall grass that hides an old mine shaft to the right; the trail continues just past this area and climbs steeply for about a 0.25 mile. The trail gets more remote and overgrown after this point.

There are some great cliff sections on this trail and it might be the most interesting and varied hiking in the foothills. Mile 2.5 has more great views and a boulder to top out to check out the surrounding area.

Mineral Springs is reached at 3.0 miles and has some interesting grasslands that surround the area.

This trail can be done as an out and back or linked with Indian Wells Canyon to return to the TH.

Flora & Fauna

Cacti, mesquite, and other desert vegetation. Rabbits, variety of birds, mule deer, rattlesnakes and mountain lions.

Contacts

Shared By:

Eric Borer

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 3 votes

#1

in Alamogordo

#10251

Overall
  4.3 from 3 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Alamogordo

#156

in New Mexico

#10,251

Overall
17 Views Last Month
1,958 Since Jan 29, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
67%
0%
33%
0%

Photos

Enjoy a gorgeous view from atop the boulder.
Jan 29, 2017 near Alamogordo, NM
Climb up this trailside boulder to experience great views.
Jan 29, 2017 near Alamogordo, NM

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Dec 28, 2020
Matt Risser
Jun 5, 2019
Emily Lobacz
Shelf rock on the ascent, a multitude of paths that lead to the same outcome, but off the beaten path. 3.1mi — 0h 30m
Jan 21, 2019
Kris Bieda
Did this as a loop and was thankful for the app. Almost took wrong turns a couple of times 1.5mi
Jan 19, 2019
Krista Ihle
3.1mi
Mar 13, 2017
Anthony Manalo
6.3mi
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