Backpacking
– Crest Trail near Nogal Peak,
White
Mountain Wilderness – near Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Informational
Supplement
Webmaster's Note: This is an awesome trip that the Oklahoma City Sierra Club takes almost every year (when not closed due to lack of rain). The information below is what we pass out to people who go on the trip. For information on future trips with the Sierra Club, go here.
Pictures and links for websites of this area can be found here.
Topo can be found here. (Note: I centered the topo on Nogal peak, but the hike begins to the east of the peak and finishes to the south of the peak - read description below)
Outing Description and Itinerary
Moderate in both distance and altitude (see below). This outing will be ideal for a second backpack for beginners and will offer a wide variety of views to enjoy. You will see Douglas fir trees, grassy meadows, Aspen groves, and great views of the Rio Bonito basin. Our view to the west will give us a chance to see both Whites Sands and Valley of Fires (Lava flow) at the same time. Weather permitting, you will see a fantastic sunset a short distance from our camp.
Dates: Saturday, May 27th and Sunday, May 28th. (Travel on the 26th and 29th)
- Day 1. (Friday) – Travel day. We will depart at 8:00am from Love’s at I-40 and Morgan Road in far west Oklahoma City. We will camp in the South Fork National Forest Campground Friday Night. (Bathrooms, no showers, 7600 feet) IF WE CAN GET SPACE. If we can’t get space we will camp along Bonito Creek, approx. 2 miles west of the campground, no facilities. (see directions to the trail head below)
- Day 2. – First backpacking day. We will start by driving half the cars up to the ridge line near Nogal Peak, at approximately 8,800 feet. We will begin hiking along trail #25, which heads west for a couple of miles before turning south along the ridge line. There will be some up and some down, nothing more than a few hundred feet at a time. (don’t you just love these detailed supplements!) We will eventually cross over a pass at about 9200 feet before reaching camp approximately six miles from our starting point. Great views abound so bring your camera. We will camp in an area called Spring Creek Cabin (8,870), about 150 yards from a cliff overlooking the valley and a mountain range about 75 miles to the west, providing both a great sunset and sunrise photo op. (If can’t tell by now, I will be stopping to take pictures along the way!) We should arrive in camp in mid afternoon, so consider bringing cards, Frisbees, checkers, or a good book.
- Day 3. – We will hike back down into the valley, just under 3 miles, dropping from 8,870 feet to about 7,800 feet. We will then take the remaining vehicles to pick up the others. Those of you eager to get back home could drive back Sunday; arriving late at night, but I plan on goofing off shooting pictures of the Spring Wildflowers in the Valley of Fires State Park and spending the night at Santa Rosa State Park if the weather permits or getting a hotel room in the area if the weather is too nasty. Also, I understand from Bill Dinger (an architect) that the new Ruidoso performing arts center (link below) is a gorgeous example of good architecture in a great setting, so a side trip to view it is definitely to be considered.
- Day 4 (Memorial Day) – Home!
Level of Difficulty: We will be hiking only about six miles on the first day, but the altitude is usually a factor. Trail is well maintained, moderate difficulty.
Departure Info: 8:00 AM, Friday Morning, May 28th. If you won’t be traveling with the group, please let me know. We will depart from the Love’s at I-40 and Morgan Road in west Oklahoma City. We will form carpools at that time. We will wait no longer than 15 minutes for latecomers. Trip should take about 10 hours.
Directions to the campground:
- Take I-40 west to New Mexico
- Hang a left (south) onto State Highway 54 in Santa Rosa.
- Hang another left (east) onto State Highway 380 in Carrizozo
- Turn right (Southeast) onto State Highway 37 in Nogal
- Before you get to State Highway 48, look for a turn-off (right) to "Bonito Lake."
- Follow the signs to South Fork Campground, it is immediately past the lake.
Fees: The fee is $10 for Sierra Club Members, $20 for Non-Members, see me for a membership form if you need one.
Food: On Friday night we will be within driving distance of a couple of small towns with restaurants, we traditionally go out to eat the first night but since this will be our "car camping night" feel free to bring a dinner. Breakfast on Saturday will be in the "car" camp. On the trail you will need one lunch, one dinner and one breakfast. Lunch should not require a stove.
Equipment / Weather: This time of year temperatures should be mild during the day and cool / cold at night, possibly freezing, although this is unlikely. Spring often means thunderstorms in the mountains, so rain gear is a requirement; although out of five trips, I have only been rained on once! According to the forest service, "Springtime is usually dry and windy…July and August are the rainy months," but I would still suggest you bring your rain gear (as you would on any outing). Other normal backpacking stuff applies, please let me know if you need help getting prepared. You can usually borrow a stove if you don’t have one, call me asap if you need to arrange to borrow some gear.
Outing Rules: No electronic music devices, firearms or pets. Of course, pack out what you pack in.
Other: Trail is in the "White Mountain Wilderness, Lincoln National Forest, Southwest Region." Ranger Office: 505-437-6030 (HQ), 505-257-4095 (Smokey Bear District)
If you have web access and want to see weather or other information about the area, check out these sites:
