Join us for autumn in Otero Mesa, where for the past two years the grasses have been 2 to 3 feet high! We’ll explore the area while talking about our continuing efforts to secure permanent protection for the area. If you’ve never been to Otero Mesa, this outing is the time to be there and experience the wildness of America’s largest Chihuahuan desert grassland.

We will plan on picking up where our last outing left off, by planting cottonwood trees on Alamo Mountain near Alamo Spring, where they once grew naturally. This is truly a wonderful project where we can make a real difference on the ground. We will explore the expansive grasslands, plus Alamo Mountain itself.

Be prepared for hot to chilly temperatures and possible thunderstorms. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a camera to capture the moments of pronghorn herds, prairie dog towns, petroglyphs, desert blooms,
and beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

During the evenings there will be a social campfire, and we will be providing Green Chile Enchiladas on the Saturday evening. Bring instruments if you’ve got them. Let’s get together and have some fun in the desert! This hike will be lead by Nathan Newcomer, who has been working on the Otero Mesa Campaign for 6 years and has lead over 20 outings to the area. Accompanying him will be Steve West, a desert grassland expert and the leader of the Cottonwood planting project.

Maximum participants: 50
Contact: Nathan Newcomer at
505-843-8696, nathan@nmwild.org
to reserve your spot.
Driving distance: 6 hours from ABQ,
2.5 hours from Las Cruces