DATE: February 23, 2010
THE PLACE: We’re heading to Cookes Peak, the highest point in southwest New Mexico. Surrounded by a stunning Wilderness Study Area, Cookes Peak commands impressive views but also hides spectacular secrets, like riparian areas that nurture delicate desert life. We’ll learn of a wild history that includes the Butterfield Stage, where characters of all stripes left their story in a wide-open land—a rugged refuge for many, including the Apache.
Cookes Peak is approximately four hours from Albuquerque, one hour from Las Cruces—please know that we will leave for this walk very early, to allow ample time to make the climb. For those driving from Albuquerque, please plan on spending the night in Las Cruces or Deming. We can help find rooms for those interested.
Meet in Las Cruces or Deming for caravan to site.
MAXIMUM PARTICIPANTS: 10 – 15
HIKE LEADER: Nathan Small & Wesley Leonard
HIKING DISTANCE: from 2WD trailhead, 10.4 miles round-trip; from 4WD parking, 6 miles
HIKING TIME: full day
REGISTER for this event. There is a $5.00 administrative fee due at registration.
ELEVATION RANGE: 5,340 – 8,300 feet
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous—this is a tough walk with a lot of elevation gain. It is open to other participants, however, as we will have several guides, some of whom will stop below the summit if there are people who wish to come but don’t want to go the distance.
