Sierra Blanca

Overview

Few peaks match the awesome grandeur of Sierra Blanca. At just below 12,000 feet in elevation, Sierra Blanca looms intimidatingly large from the sandy deserts and rangelands that surround the compact range. From some vantage points there is nearly 8,000 feet of elevation differential bewteen the viewer and the summit. Its snow-capped summit is visible well into the summer, from the sizzling deserts below.

Sierra Blanca has many superlatives: it is the highest mountain in southern New Mexico and the highest 'southern' mountain in the mainland USA (i.e. any higher US peaks are north of Sierra Blanca's latitude, and the next higher peaks south are in Mexico). It also has the highest prominence in New Mexico at over 5,000 feet above its defining saddle. The views from the summit are simply awesome. Sierra Blanca is the highpoint of Otero county, and for peakbaggers, nearby Lookout Mountain is the highpoint of neighboring Lincoln county.

Saddle to Sierra Blanca (by Jessicahiker)

Getting There

From Ruidoso, drive north on highway NM-37 a few miles and turn left onto NM-532, following the signs to the Ski Apache complex. Follow the road to near its terminus. You will likely arrive in the pre-dawn, and park along the highway near the trailhead of trail #15. This is at the last turn before entering the ski complex, which will be gated shut during the night. From Ruidoso to the trailhead it's about 15 miles.

Red Tape

Well... the actual summit of Sierra Blanca lies on the Mescalero Indian Reservation. Technically one needs a permit to hike on Indian lands. The town of Mescalero on US-70 about 15 miles south of Ruidoso might be a good place to inquire. Or, you can simply just hike the peak and take your chances. Judging by the quantity of names in the summit register, I suspect most people do the latter. Use your best judgement.

When To Climb

Snows should be gone by July, and return about late October. Thunderstorms are a daily likelihood for most of July and August. September and October are usually very dry. Get a pre-dawn start if you go up during the monsoon (July-Aug).

For snow climbs, I can't comment. The final ridge is steep with rocky obstacles so even a bit of snow or ice could make it challenging.

(Regarding Lookout Mountain: this lies right in the ski complex and is very nearby a ski lift. In winter, one could ski-step a few feet up the slopes to the seating area (you read correctly) on the summit)

Saddle to Sierra Blanca (by Jessicahiker)

Camping

There are campsites sprinkled throughout the region, including some on the road up.

Mountain Conditions

Most of the trails are in the Lincoln National Forest. Try 505-257-4095.

Visit also www.cohp.org

Further useful information can be found at the county highpointers website:

Otero County, New Mexico

External Links

• Sierra Blanca, New Mexico Trip Report, July 2001 www.surgent.net
  
  

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

Viewing: 1-5 of 5

slowbutsteady - May 25, 2007 4:16 pm - Voted 10/10

permission to climb

Recent letter from Mescalero Tribe Council explains that climbing Sierra Blanca is no longer allowed due to mountain being a sacred site, etc. Last year my request to hike was refused because of the drought conditions, now apparently no climbing permitted whatsoever. slowbutsteady

Humphrey - May 16, 2014 10:56 am - Hasn't voted

Didn't seem to matter

However, when I made the summit on May 15, 2014, the summit mailbox had a nice notebook full of names and dates well after your 2007 post. Officially, Sierra Blanca may not be permitted, but I wouldn't let that stop anyone, as the evidence is that visitation is relatively frequent.

sfiedler - Aug 22, 2015 6:12 pm - Hasn't voted

Summit encouraged

Summited 8/18/15. Climbed up the Ski Apache maintenance road to the top of the lifts (1900 vertical - about an hour). About 0815 talked to a young man (who I suspect was Mescalero Apache)doing maintenance on the top of the zip line. I asked where the short trail was up Lookout Mountain, which he pointed to, then he said "if you really want a view you should climb that", and pointed to the summit of Sierra Blanca. We chatted for a few minutes about the climb, and I thanked him and headed to the summit via Lookout. About an hour later arrived at the summit. Dozens of posts in the summit register. Hike was uneventful. Well worth the effort. By the way, the Ski Apache web site advertises that if you hike up, the ride back down (in the gondola) is "on us". It was a very pleasant 15 minute ride back down from the top of the lifts. I believe Ski Apache is owned/operated by the Apache tribe.

LouisFasano32 - May 18, 2022 10:22 pm - Hasn't voted

****UPDATE: READ BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB****

I attempted Sierra Blanca on May 6th and was turned around by an individual on an ATV. There are a few issues with climbing Sierra Blanca. 1. It is on Tribal lands and it still is technically off limits. in the mans words, "You need to call to get a permit but the tribe doesn't give permits". 2. As of May 6th 2022, there is a fire ban in effect. The man said he would have let us continue if it had not been for the fire ban. Once you cross the wooden fence from the ski resort to the other side, you are technically on the tribal lands. It sounds like things are more lax when there isn't a fire ban but know you might get turned around if you make the attempt.

ElHed - Aug 25, 2022 2:06 pm - Hasn't voted

Local Insight

I grew up in Ruidoso and have summited SB multiple times. I didn't even know about the tribal permit, they don't take it seriously at all. The national forest closes completely almost every June, sometimes May or even as early as April, and they take that VERY seriously, steep fines. If you plan to camp, don't plan on a campfire, they're usually banned as it's extremely dry, although fires are sometimes allowed. Monsoons start July 4th weekend and usually last into early-mid August, so start early during that time. The saddle ridge below the peak is narrow with steep sides; fantastic OB skiing off the east side in the winter if there's enough snow, but can get sketchy if it's windy, and it's usually windy all year, especially spring. Respectfully, the Mescalero Apache take great offense to being called Indians, please consider editing that in original post. They're Native Americans, or Natives for short. Calling a Mescalero Apache an Indian to his face is grounds for fisticuffs in their eyes. The Mescalero Apache are descendants of Geronimo, Cochise, and Victorio; they're fiercely proud with a rich history. According to their beliefs, civilization was started by a god that lives on the peak, so it is a very sacred place, despite the lackadaisical approach to the climbing permits. Please respect that sacred belief if hiking SB. It's well worth the climb.

Viewing: 1-5 of 5