Wilbur - Mar 1, 2018 9:20 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2016
Franklin Mountain North
5 hour round trip hike for kids from the German school. Not an easy hike but well worth the effort. Great views from the top.
Brian Kalet - Feb 2, 2018 11:45 am Date Climbed: Nov 23, 2016
Standard
P2K
alynch - Nov 29, 2017 10:24 am Date Climbed: Nov 22, 2017
Fun
Hiked this in the morning. Ascended via Mundy's Gap and descended on the Ridge Trail through Cottonwood Springs for a nice shortcut. Total time was about 3.5 hours, with a fair amount of that spent taking photos. Considering the proximity to urban sprawl, it still feels surprisingly wild. Enjoyed it more for the rocks and plants than the vistas, but both were enjoyable.
Larry Laverty - Apr 8, 2013 12:30 am Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2007
Standard Route
A great adventure as part of a movie produced by El Paso native, writer and filmmaker Ron Dawson. The views were far better than I got on the airplane flying in to town.
Sarah Simon - Nov 29, 2009 11:47 am Date Climbed: Nov 27, 2009
Standard Route
When I started, I pretty much had the mountain to myself minus a few descending mountain bikers. I ran into two middle-aged peak baggers en route to the summit. On my way down, I was pleased to see what seemed like half of the city of El Paso out with their families walking off their Thanksgiving feasts. Neat to see the Organ Mountains from the summit, but the smog was almost intolerable.
Vinegaroon - Jul 23, 2009 3:56 pm Date Climbed: May 23, 2009
El Paso's Highest
I've been up several times in the past 20 years. Nice views and wide trail... Taking the ridge from Mundy's gap is the quickest way up and less traveled...
I first climbed N Franklin with my Dad when I was 8 years old. When we got to the summit (which in those days was very small and rocky outcrop with a 4-foot-high, triangular, metal beacon shack on it), we discovered that the summit rocks were covered in millions of ladybugs. We could scoop them up in double handfuls! I have been back there too many times to count in the intervening years, in all seasons, and from every side, but have never seen a single ladybug since that first springtime visit.
Hiked up via the standard route. Enjoyable little hike.
Outdooraholic - Jan 4, 2008 2:19 pm Date Climbed: Oct 31, 2007
Short hike
Short hike to the top. Took my about two hours to get up and down.
weeds19 - Sep 8, 2007 5:35 pm Date Climbed: Dec 29, 2002
A nice way to get out
I hiked this before moving to Las Cruces, and I've been up it several times since. A great half day hike to get the blood flowing. The ridge is more fun then the road.
A rocky trail for most of the way. Great views of Fort Bliss, El Paso, and Cuidad Juarez. The wind really picks up after passing through Mundy's Gap to the east side of the mountain.
Wilbur - Mar 1, 2018 9:20 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2016
Franklin Mountain North5 hour round trip hike for kids from the German school. Not an easy hike but well worth the effort. Great views from the top.
Brian Kalet - Feb 2, 2018 11:45 am Date Climbed: Nov 23, 2016
StandardP2K
alynch - Nov 29, 2017 10:24 am Date Climbed: Nov 22, 2017
FunHiked this in the morning. Ascended via Mundy's Gap and descended on the Ridge Trail through Cottonwood Springs for a nice shortcut. Total time was about 3.5 hours, with a fair amount of that spent taking photos. Considering the proximity to urban sprawl, it still feels surprisingly wild. Enjoyed it more for the rocks and plants than the vistas, but both were enjoyable.
Larry Laverty - Apr 8, 2013 12:30 am Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2007
Standard RouteA great adventure as part of a movie produced by El Paso native, writer and filmmaker Ron Dawson. The views were far better than I got on the airplane flying in to town.
Koonsy - Apr 1, 2011 10:28 pm
Good StuffEasy and straight forward hike up to the top but it was better than I expected.
westtex - Feb 25, 2011 1:56 pm
Juarez ViewsClimbed many times the year I lived in El Paso, took the ridge up from Cottonwood Spring most times to avoid old mining road.
ldangerm - Jan 17, 2011 3:14 pm Date Climbed: Dec 31, 2010
ColdThis was an excellent hike. A bit cold at the top.
rlawson - Apr 23, 2010 8:22 pm Date Climbed: Apr 22, 2010
StandardCold and rainy. Couldn't see a thing. :-(
Sarah Simon - Nov 29, 2009 11:47 am Date Climbed: Nov 27, 2009
Standard RouteWhen I started, I pretty much had the mountain to myself minus a few descending mountain bikers. I ran into two middle-aged peak baggers en route to the summit. On my way down, I was pleased to see what seemed like half of the city of El Paso out with their families walking off their Thanksgiving feasts. Neat to see the Organ Mountains from the summit, but the smog was almost intolerable.
Vinegaroon - Jul 23, 2009 3:56 pm Date Climbed: May 23, 2009
El Paso's HighestI've been up several times in the past 20 years. Nice views and wide trail... Taking the ridge from Mundy's gap is the quickest way up and less traveled...
HuecoRat - Mar 5, 2009 11:21 am
Unique Summit ConditionsI first climbed N Franklin with my Dad when I was 8 years old. When we got to the summit (which in those days was very small and rocky outcrop with a 4-foot-high, triangular, metal beacon shack on it), we discovered that the summit rocks were covered in millions of ladybugs. We could scoop them up in double handfuls! I have been back there too many times to count in the intervening years, in all seasons, and from every side, but have never seen a single ladybug since that first springtime visit.
eric-griz - Jul 5, 2008 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2004
Nice hike in the Chihuahuan DesertHiked up via the standard route. Enjoyable little hike.
Outdooraholic - Jan 4, 2008 2:19 pm Date Climbed: Oct 31, 2007
Short hikeShort hike to the top. Took my about two hours to get up and down.
weeds19 - Sep 8, 2007 5:35 pm Date Climbed: Dec 29, 2002
A nice way to get outI hiked this before moving to Las Cruces, and I've been up it several times since. A great half day hike to get the blood flowing. The ridge is more fun then the road.
grunt - Jun 17, 2005 1:05 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: Many timesA rocky trail for most of the way. Great views of Fort Bliss, El Paso, and Cuidad Juarez. The wind really picks up after passing through Mundy's Gap to the east side of the mountain.
wbass - Jun 29, 2004 7:44 pm
Route Climbed: Mundy's Gap Date Climbed: January 2003Standard route, easy ascent on an old jeep road. Advisable to hike this peak in the winter.