Hike Tonuco Mountain and see petroglyphs, plant fossils, a fluorite mine, blooming Echinocereus coccineus and enjoy spectacular views of Hatch Valley. SETTING: BLM track between the Border Patrol Stations 17-20 miles north of Las Cruces on I-25 & NM-185. Terrain is unimproved & without facilities in an arroyo from NNW side of Tonuco Mountain. Hike distance is about 2-4 miles round-trip, depending on your destination, & includes walking in riverbed, mild side-hill & non-technical scrambling over rocks. There is no formal trail.

There are two meeting points: At 8:00 AM carpool from El Paso from Kohl's parking lot in NW El Paso. MAP. An alternative to allow 4-wheel drive shuttle to hike start will be at the Exit 32 on I-25 North. (Cross under freeway and wait at exit).

Bring 1 or 2 quarts of water, a snack for lunch, hat, long pants, walking stick, sunblock, good hiking footgear, head light or flashlight for mine.

Contact Kent Richards at 575-644-3605 on the 22nd or 23rd to set-up 4-wheel drive into site. To coordiate carpooling from El Paso, contact Jean-Claude Linossi at wilbur1111@att.net. 

Please visit the El Paso Cactus and Rock Club website and Facebook page.