Monday, April 16, 2012

Aguirre Springs Recreation Area, Las Cruces, NM

 

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We decided to spend another night at Leasburg Dam so we could do a hike at Aguirre Springs. This is a beautiful BLM campground about 15 miles east of Las Cruces, on the east side of the Organ Mountains. Jim and I hiked the Pine Tree Loop in 2009 but didn’t remember much about it. There are quite a few campsites that would fit our 30’ Lazy Daze, but the sign going up the 3 mile steep twisty road says the trailer length limit is 21’. We did see a class C motorhome that had to be at least 26’ long, though.

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Starting at 5700’, the 4.5 mile loop trail climbs to 6800’ at the halfway point. Not having been at higher elevations for almost a year, it was a tough climb up and we almost turned around after an hour, but we persevered and had a much easier time going down the last 2 miles where we could appreciate the scenery a little more. It took us 2 1/2 hours to complete the hike.

January 2009

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We could see the White Sands Missile Base and at one point even had a view of the sand at the White Sands National Monument.

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We were tired and hungry so we stopped at Pizzeria Uno again for a pizza and a beer on our way home. Now that’s a great way to end a hike!

4 comments:

  1. Glad you are getting a lot of hiking in and with such great scenery too. We can't wait to get home to have a great pizza again.

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  2. I liked the pic of the hollowed out tree. Sounds like you had a good hike.

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  3. Looks like a very nice hike. Although the Gulf and ocean and springs in Florida are wonderful they don't have much in the way wilderness hikes.

    Sherry
    www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com

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  4. We would love that hike BUT we have found ourselves a bit light headed when we hike that height. The trail looks awesome though.
    Thanks for taking us along.

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