Last year I did the Baylor Pass trek from the Las Cruces side (read about it here). This time I started on the Aguirre Spring Recreation Area side and was stunned by the views. Check this out:
Baylor Pass Hiking Trail wraps around the base of the Organs into an easy mountain pass between Baylor Peak and the Rabbit Ears of the Organs, bridging the Tularosa Basin (and Aguirre Spring Recreation Area) and the Mesilla Valley (Las Cruces).
The trail is about 6 miles, out and back. The first 2ish miles on the Aguirre side are smooth, wide, and well-maintained, with far fewer rocks than the other side. It is fairly even throughout as it gains elevation. No strenuous uphill clambers on Baylor Pass.
We knew it would be a great hike when we arrived in Aguirre Springs and observed this amazing lenticular cloud hovering over the Rabbit Ears of the Organs. Water vapor rose from the mountains in visible ragged scraps.
The trail offers the most beautiful views of the mountains above and the Tularosa Basin.
The sky is also endless. The night sky is beautiful but by day the different shades of blue above are spellbinding. A half moon looked down at us today.
There were also lovely rock formations and boulders. You realize that these boulders are actual bald spots of mountain! They offer many places to sit and munch on trail mix. There are also 2 benches along the way.
We crossed a little stream that had water flowing in it. The water had algae growing in it but my hiking companion explained that that is a positive sign that the water is safe to drink.
We also encountered a Texas brown tarantula. Tis the mating season! I called it a female but I later learned only male Texas brown tarantulas are seen out and about like that. They are usually searching for mates. Female tarantulas spend practically their entire lives underground. Males will visit their burrows and tap on the entrance to be let in. The female will then either come out to mate or eat them. The courage it must take to knock on those burrows!
Some people came hiking up behind us with their dog. We were worried they would squish the tarantula so we guarded it. But they ended up admiring it along with us! I love finding like-minded Nature lovers. We all share this world.
We saw a handful of really fat, colorful grasshoppers on the way up. On my return trip, they were out in droves and one leaped and smacked me in the face. Mating pairs were everywhere. I also swerved to avoid hitting hundreds of mating pairs on my drive out of Aguirre Springs.
The area is very lush with many wildflowers. It was October but unseasonably warm so we saw sunflowers, globe mallows, daisies, Indian paintbrush, and morning glory vines all along the trail.
There were also tiny red flowers that grew on thin vines but I couldn’t ID it.
The morning glories were incredible! In some places, the trees are roped together by dense morning glory vines.
The trail eventually reaches the crest of the pass, which is a smooth but high slope. The wind really buffeted us here and bent the long grass over. It appears that this sloping pass was at least partially formed by wind erosion.
We walked through a walkabout in a fence and Las Cruces spread out below us in all its glory.
To the right is an offshoot for Baylor Peak trail. Follow the trail straight to reach the other end off Baylor Canyon Road in Las Cruces.
I turned back here due to time constraints. The hike back is pleasant and easy. The day was getting warm, but not unbearable. I can imagine this trail is pretty unpleasant in the summer afternoon.
Since I have done the other side, I can tell you that this a fantastic trail, no matter where you start!
Also, to plagiarize myself, here is the history of Baylor Pass’s name taken from my previous post: Baylor Pass is named after John R. Baylor, a Civil War Confederate leader, who led a Texas volunteer regiment across the pass to battle against a Union regiment in 1861. He declared himself the first governor of the Arizona territory, at the expense of many indigenous lives. Baylor loved to give orders to his men to “exterminate” Apache people in his territory and he murdered one of his dissenters, Jefferson Davis. Now, local Chiricahua Apache and Piro Pueblo people are calling for Baylor Pass and the accompanying Baylor Peak to be given more indigenous monikers.
Knowing the nasty man they are named after, I can’t help it but agree. What do you think a more fitting name would be?