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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

81%

Runnable

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.

Runner Notes

TH is marked with a brown trail marker.

This trail is not marked, and there are a variety of game trails and what look to be remnants of old mining roads. Keep an eye on your turns, and keep track of the trail if you are not familiar.

Cacti and mesquite can get pretty gnarly on some sections.

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 running 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

#10168

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

#153

in New Mexico

#10,168

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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