By Julian Jaramillo
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Hiking in Las Cruces is a great way to get exercise with friends and get outside. The Dripping Springs Trail in the Organ Mountains is about a 30-minute drive from the New Mexico State University campus. It is open from 8 a.m. to sunset and costs $5 to park for the day.
Instead of taking the main path, my friends and I decided to venture through a different route. According to a Strava recording, the hike covered 6.05 miles with an elevation gain of 2,153 feet, completed in just over two hours at a steady pace.
At the beginning, the trail starts with a rocky incline. About half a mile in, there are abandoned buildings along the trail. These structures are the remains of a late-1800s mountain resort and the early-1900s Boyd Sanatorium, where patients once came to recover from tuberculosis in the dry desert air. Today, the ruins serve as a preserved reminder of Las Cruces’ past.
After passing the buildings, the hike becomes steeper and more challenging. Around two miles in, the trail passes a small pond and offers the first clear view from a higher elevation. We decided to continue climbing, which became more difficult as it required navigating rocks and being careful with each step to avoid slipping. Everyone stayed safe, and we made it about three miles up the mountain, where the view made the climb worth it.
Hiking a nontraditional route through Dripping Springs offers a different perspective on a familiar area. While the main trail remains a reliable option, taking an alternate way adds a challenge and was a great time.
And, oh yeah, watch out for rattlesnakes.
A screenshot of our hike.
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