Tracy - Oct 30, 2015 9:02 pm Date Climbed: Oct 27, 2015
drove in from the east
I hiked this one with Harlan, CP and DB followed up with an ascent of the neighboring peak of equal height to the northeast.
JustDSM - Dec 28, 2011 9:00 pm Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2011
Slippery Slopes
Got off work early today and decided to bag a peak I've been meaning to climb forever since it's in my back yard per-say.
We just had a recent cold front with (for Las Cruces) a good bit of snow. It's been a few days since the cold weather has been around so I figured it was time to bag a peak.
I drove out to the area just North of the peak and made my ascent from the their. I took a North/Northwestern approach. Quite a steep slope as you approach the summit. The scree/talus were covered in snow/ice and about halfway up I started to wish I had a ice axe to arrest a fall I felt was sure to come. No issues, but it was tricky getting solid footing. My German Shepherd on the other had made me look like a rock trying to roll up-hill. But she's part mountain goat.. Micro-spikes might have been a good call too with the conditions present.
Awesome views and rewarding climb.
twilly - Aug 17, 2011 10:47 pm Date Climbed: Dec 22, 2008
Didnt know there was a trail
Climbed this one with two friends. We summited in 20 minutes. Lots of cacti. When we got to the top we realized there was a trail. Oh well it was better going off trail anyways
rayray - Oct 8, 2007 12:28 am Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2007
Dark descent
Decided on a whim to do this peak and had a blast! Ascended via the steep north face and saw a beautiful sunset from the summit. Magnificent views of Las Cruces and the surrounding area. Descended the south slope, circling around to the east. Was pitch dark prior to finishing...good thing I brought a headlamp just in case.
kelster - Oct 8, 2007 12:18 am Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2007
Very Rewarding
There were a lot of rocks on the way up and they slid from under my feet. There was also a bit of scrambling near the summit. I got to the summit in one piece though. When I arrived at the top, it was sunset and it was getting a little cold. There were great views of Las Cruces, the Rio Grande, and the surrounding mountains. I finished the hike in the dark.
I intended to climb Dona Ana with my girlfriends two Yorkies. We started up the wrong peak though and were almost at the top by the time I figured out my mistake. The pups were real troopers, scrambling up rocks and around cacti, but they didn't have two climbs in them. So I left them in the car (windows down) and bagged Dona Ana. The top was covered with talus and steep rock - the Yorkies would not have made it I don't think - but I did. It was a fantastic summit - like many other pointy desert peaks in the area.
weeds19 - Aug 7, 2007 7:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2007
Nice morning hike
My sister was in town and wanted to go on a morning hike, so we drove out to the back of the Dona Anas and took the short hike to the peak. What a wonderful view for the amount of effort that was invested!
Tracy - Oct 30, 2015 9:02 pm Date Climbed: Oct 27, 2015
drove in from the eastI hiked this one with Harlan, CP and DB followed up with an ascent of the neighboring peak of equal height to the northeast.
JustDSM - Dec 28, 2011 9:00 pm Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2011
Slippery SlopesGot off work early today and decided to bag a peak I've been meaning to climb forever since it's in my back yard per-say.
We just had a recent cold front with (for Las Cruces) a good bit of snow. It's been a few days since the cold weather has been around so I figured it was time to bag a peak.
I drove out to the area just North of the peak and made my ascent from the their. I took a North/Northwestern approach. Quite a steep slope as you approach the summit. The scree/talus were covered in snow/ice and about halfway up I started to wish I had a ice axe to arrest a fall I felt was sure to come. No issues, but it was tricky getting solid footing. My German Shepherd on the other had made me look like a rock trying to roll up-hill. But she's part mountain goat.. Micro-spikes might have been a good call too with the conditions present.
Awesome views and rewarding climb.
twilly - Aug 17, 2011 10:47 pm Date Climbed: Dec 22, 2008
Didnt know there was a trailClimbed this one with two friends. We summited in 20 minutes. Lots of cacti. When we got to the top we realized there was a trail. Oh well it was better going off trail anyways
rayray - Oct 8, 2007 12:28 am Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2007
Dark descentDecided on a whim to do this peak and had a blast! Ascended via the steep north face and saw a beautiful sunset from the summit. Magnificent views of Las Cruces and the surrounding area. Descended the south slope, circling around to the east. Was pitch dark prior to finishing...good thing I brought a headlamp just in case.
kelster - Oct 8, 2007 12:18 am Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2007
Very RewardingThere were a lot of rocks on the way up and they slid from under my feet. There was also a bit of scrambling near the summit. I got to the summit in one piece though. When I arrived at the top, it was sunset and it was getting a little cold. There were great views of Las Cruces, the Rio Grande, and the surrounding mountains. I finished the hike in the dark.
lizrdboy - Sep 29, 2007 10:17 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2007
Steep and LooseI intended to climb Dona Ana with my girlfriends two Yorkies. We started up the wrong peak though and were almost at the top by the time I figured out my mistake. The pups were real troopers, scrambling up rocks and around cacti, but they didn't have two climbs in them. So I left them in the car (windows down) and bagged Dona Ana. The top was covered with talus and steep rock - the Yorkies would not have made it I don't think - but I did. It was a fantastic summit - like many other pointy desert peaks in the area.
weeds19 - Aug 7, 2007 7:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2007
Nice morning hikeMy sister was in town and wanted to go on a morning hike, so we drove out to the back of the Dona Anas and took the short hike to the peak. What a wonderful view for the amount of effort that was invested!