< All Press Releases

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The Bureau of Land Management is offering a variety of outdoor events in September that will take advantage of southern New Mexico’s weather and natural resources.  The BLM events are geared to individuals, family, friends, and civic organizations from all age groups.  The BLM encourages the public to take time from their busy schedules to enjoy the outdoors and the wonderful resources, virtually in their backyards.
 
Here is a list of events and volunteer opportunities with specific details.
 
Sept. 2 – Baylor Canyon Trail Hike 
Meeting Place: Aguirre Spring Campground, Baylor Pass Trail Head
Meeting Time and Duration:  8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Description & Difficulty: The guided hike on a 2-mile trail has a bit of elevation change to the summit of the Baylor Pass
Directions: The Aguirre Spring Campground is located on the east side of Organ Mountains, east of Las Cruces. Take U.S. Highway 70 for 14 miles east of the Interstate Highway 25 and U.S. Highway 70 interchange in Las Cruces, turn south on the Aguirre Spring Road (1.1 miles after San Augustine Pass) for 6 miles. At mile 4, the road becomes a one-way loop and climbs steeply.
Cost: Recreation Permit Fee for parking is $5 per vehicle or your federal lands pass.
 
Sept. 9- Birding Hike in the Organ Mountains
Meeting Place: La Cueva Picnic Area 1st parking lot, La Cueva Trailhead
Meeting Time and Duration: 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Description & Difficulty: The hike to Arroyo and La Cueva trails are fairly easy trails. The early bird gets the worm, so arrive early to spot the birds. Open to anybody interested in birds.
Directions: Dripping Springs Natural Area turn left to La Cueva before reaching the A.B. Cox Visitor Center.
Cost: Recreation Permit Fee for parking is $5 per vehicle or your federal lands pass.
 
Sept. 16 - Prehistoric Trackways Discovery Site Hike
Meeting Place: Second Parking lot at Prehistoric Trackways National Monument entrance
Meeting Time and Duration: 8 to 11 a.m.
Description & Difficulty: The hike is moderate with some rugged terrain.
Directions: Travel on Picacho Avenue and U.S Highway 70, at the stop light with Shalem Colony Trail. Go north on Shalem Colony Trail for approximately 5.5 miles. Prior to reaching the Rio Grande, you will reach a county road, Rocky Acres Trail. Turn west on Rocky Acres Trail. Go west approximately ¼ mile to a dirt road entrance on the left-hand side. Cross over a cattle guard and continue to the west past the first parking lot to the second.
Cost: No cost for parking.
 
Sept. 23 - Night Sky Program at Aguirre Springs
Meeting Place: Group Site Shelter 1 and Parking area
Meeting Time and Duration: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Description: Participants will learn about the night sky.
Directions: The access road to the campground is 14 miles east of the Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 70 interchange in Las Cruces, or 1.1 miles east of San Augustine Pass.  The Aguirre Spring Campgrounds group site is at the end of the loop past the first and second campgrounds to the right.
Cost: Recreation Permit Fee for parking is $5 per vehicle or your federal lands pass.
 
Botany Hike on Baylor Canyon Pass Trail
Meeting Place: Aguirre Spring Campground, Baylor Canyon Pass Trailhead
Meeting Time and Duration: 8 to 11 a.m.
Description & Difficulty: Baylor Pass from the east is about 2 miles to the summit that overlooks Las Cruces. This is a moderate hike with many stops on the way to learn about the vegetation.
Directions: The Aguirre Spring Campground is located on the east side of Organ Mountains, east of Las Cruces. Take U.S. Highway 70 for 14 miles east of the Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 70 interchange in Las Cruces, turn south on the Aguirre Spring Road (1.1 miles after San Augustine Pass) for 6 miles. At mile 4, the road becomes a one-way loop and climbs steeply.
Cost: Recreation Permit Fee for parking is $5 per vehicle or your federal lands pass.
 
Sept. 30 – National Public Lands Day Events
Meeting Place: Dripping Springs Natural Area
Meeting Time and Duration: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Description & Difficulty: Two activities are planned for the morning at Dripping Springs, including: 1) the BLM will have a Junior Ranger Program and hike to La Cueva, and 2) the Southern NM Trail Alliance will be doing light trail work.
Directions: Dripping Springs is located 10 miles east of Las Cruces, on the west side of the Organ Mountains. From Exit 1 on Interstate 25, take University Avenue/Dripping Springs Road east to the end.
Cost: Fee Free Day at all federal lands.
 
Meeting Place:  North of Las Cruces, off Doña Ana Road
Meeting Time and Duration:  9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Description & Difficulty:  The BLM and Friends of Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks will clean up an illegal dump site in the Doña Ana Mountains. Volunteers 12 years and older are needed to tackle this difficult, but rewarding effort.
Directions: From Picacho Avenue in Las Cruces, take Valley Drive North for 12.6 miles; turn right on Hope Road; left onto Doña Ana Road and right onto Embarcadero Road.
Cost: Fee Free Day at all federal lands.
 
Participants for any of these events are asked to dress appropriately and to remember their outdoor essentials – water, snacks, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.  In addition, a flashlight will be helpful for the Night Sky Program and work gloves for the clean-up and trail projects.  For more information, contact Daniella Barraza 575-525-4487.